“Call Northside 777 is a prime example of the intelligent late-1940s studio pic.” - Rob Mackie, The Guardian
“A slick piece of modern melodrama in anybody's book. It combines a suspenseful mystery story with a vivid, realistic pictorial style.” - Bosley Crowther, The New York Times
This classic fact-based thriller about a Chicago reporter who opens up an old murder case was a key film in the postwar shift from studio sets to authentic locations, making especially effective use of the many-tiered Stateville Penitentiary and the saloon-filled, train-rattled Back of the Yards neighborhood. (MR) Screened as part of our 2001 Starring Chicago movie marathon.
Awards & Nominations
Nominee - 1949 Writers Guild of America Best Written American Drama
25 For 25
To celebrate 25 years on State Street, the 25 For 25 series revisits standout titles from our State Street history, spotlighting films that have lit up our screens since 2001 and reflecting on the Siskel Film Center’s programming legacy. Each selection connects to a past Siskel program, highlighting the Siskel Film Center’s long-standing commitment to diverse and innovative curation.
The Film Center is ADA accessible. This presentation will be projected without open captions. The theater is hearing-loop equipped. For accessibility requests, please email filmcenter@saic.edu