Murder in the Big House (1942)

In the suspenseful world of "Murder in the Big House" (1942), "Dapper Dan" Malloy, a suave yet condemned murderer, teeters on the precipice of death, his fate hinging on the remote hope of a commuted sentence. Malloy's lawyer fervently assures him that the governor's voice will echo a pardon through his personal earphone radio, a full hour before the execution. Assigned to cover this chilling spectacle, newspaper reporter "Scoop" Connor finds himself unable to bear the gruesome task, succumbing to the stress of the ordeal. In Scoop's stead, the unproven newshound Bert Bell and the ambitious Gladys Wayne are thrust into the story. The plot takes an electrifying turn when a bolt of lightning seemingly claims Malloy's life while he's tuned into his radio set. Yet, the astute Bert suspects a darker mystery at play. When the scent of a scandal wafts from the doomed cell, Bert sniffs out a conspiracy that reeks of corruption. The twist? Malloy was on the verge of divulging a damning secret that would expose the city's powerful political machine and its sinister ties to the local organized crime syndicate. Determined to unmask this unholy alliance and capitalize on his break, Bert hatches an audacious scheme. With the aid of the paper's seasoned yet soused political columnist, he plots to land himself in prison, hoping to unearth the secret that Malloy took to his premature grave. In this gripping crime saga, the stakes escalate as Bert races against time to reveal the collusion between the city's crooked politicians and the ruthless mobsters they're in league with. This thrilling tale of corruption, intrigue, and journalistic tenacity will keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

Murder in the Big House is an action movie featuring Van Johnson and directed by B. Reeves Eason.

Murder in the Big House is currently streaming on DIRECTV.