Richard Kiley stars in this gripping crime drama about a crusading lawyer who takes on the corrupt machine running a Southern town, based on actual events. Phenix City was known as the "Sin City" of Alabama where gambling, prostitution, and any number of other vices were tolerated openly by the law as organized crime controlled the local government. In 1954, a reform group tries to persuade the city's most prominent attorney, Albert Patterson (John McIntire), to take action, but having seen his efforts come to little, he would rather relax with his wife and enjoy the return of his army officer/lawyer son, John (Richard Kiley). But when thugs beat up Patterson's friends and involve John, turning to murder and intimidation, the elder Patterson and his son join the reformers. A 13-minute preface, compiled from newsreel footage and interviews with the original participants, provides background on the events that inspired the film.
