The FBI Story

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The FBI Story
The FBI Story movie poster
Directed by	Mervyn LeRoy
Produced by	Mervyn LeRoy
Written by	Richard L. Breen John Twist
Starring	James Stewart Vera Miles
Music by	Max Steiner
Distributed by	Warner Bros.
Release date(s)	October, 1959
Running time	149 min.
Language	English
IMDb profile

The FBI Story is a 1959 drama film directed and produced by Mervyn LeRoy and starring James Stewart. Based on a book by Don Whitehead, the Federal Bureau of Investigation had great influence over the production, with J. Edgar Hoover acting as a co-producer of sorts. Hoover even forced LeRoy to re-shoot several scenes he didn't think portrayed the FBI in an appropriate light, and played a pivotal role in the casting for the film.

[edit] Plot

(James Stewart) recounts his history as an FBI agent during a lecture. He recounts his first involvement as a government clerk through his time as an agent combating the Ku Klux Klan and spies.

[edit] Reception

The film found minor success when first released, but was poorly received by critics. The most common criticism was the film played more like propaganda than a stand-alone film. These critiques are based in fact, as the film's production was greatly associated with the real FBI, and even J. Edgar Hoover. Today, the film has largely been forgotten, though it is still broadcast on cable, and memorable for its stars James Stewart and Vera Miles. This film also inspired producer Quinn Martin to produce his long-running television series of The F.B.I..

[edit] Cast

James Stewart as John Michael ('Chip') Hardesty
Vera Miles as Lucy Ann Hardesty
Murray Hamilton as Sam Crandall
Larry Pennell as George Crandall
Nick Adams as John Gilbert ('Jack') Graham
Diane Jergens as Jennie Hardesty
Jean Willes as Anna Sage
Joyce Taylor as Anne Hardesty
Victor Millan as Mario