shane-4 Leo Frank was born in Cuero, Texas on April 17, 1884, but his family soon moved to Brooklyn, NY, where he attended Pratt Institute; he was graduated from Cornell University in 1906 with a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering.In 1908, he became the head of a pencil factory in Atlanta started by his uncle Moses Frank. He married Lucille Selig, a local girl, in November of 1910.Mary Phagan had been employed at the National Pencil Co for a little over a year. She returned for her $1.20 pay that Saturday (because of the holiday) and was never seen again alive. At almost 14 years of age, she earned $4.05 for a 55-hr. week.One of the many puzzles is why Newt Lee, the watchman at the factory, was sent away when he first reported for duty on April 26, 1913. His schedule had been set the day before by Mr. Frank.Some new documents have begun to surface on this case, and they can be viewed at: www.leofrankcase.com. To this day, no one knows what eventually happened to Jim Conley, who was last sighted in 1941. Leo's lawyers found his testimony incredible and challenged his character and truthfulness, but he was able to stay employed for over two years.This mini-series is available on VHS tape, and hopefully will be re- released on DVD. It is definitely worth a viewing.

malvernp This mini-series captures Jack Lemmon in a strong role as a real historical figure. Governor Slaton of Georgia risked (and ultimately lost) a promising political career in his search for the truth as to what really happened to Mary Phagan. Lemmon is heroic in an understated way----very different than many of the manic-like comedy performances that conspicuously dotted his long career.The story was filmed before in 1937 by Warner Brothers with Mervyn LeRoy directing as "They Won't Forget." This is the film that launched the career of Lana Turner as a major sex symbol. She played the very small Mary Phagan-like role when just a young teenager---and who could forget her famous stroll through town as she strutted her sexy stuff just before her murder? In "They Won't Forget," the story was changed significantly to eliminate any reference to the Leo Frank-like character as a Jew. Instead, he was depicted as a teacher (not a pencil factory manager) with apparently a Christian background."They Won't Forget" was a typical Warner Brothers social drama of the 1930s. It fudged on the facts but was quite gripping and engrossing. Claude Rains may have been somewhat over-the-top as the prosecuting attorney---but he commanded your attention.On the other hand, "The Murder of Mary Phagan" stays much closer to the true story. It's interesting to compare the two films to see just how much easier it was in 1988 to tell the whole narrative of the Leo Frank case than it was in 1937.For another source of information on this remarkable historical event, seek out Harry Golden's fine book of many years ago---"A Little Girl is Dead."

suchick-1 I've seen this movie more than once, and am always primarily hit by what this dramatizes in not uncommon manner. Our rights as citizens entitles us to due process of the law, that we should be protected from mob mentality and any form of prejudice until proven in a court by a single point of accountability.It happened in 1913 to Leo Frank. We, none of us, are immune to it. We may scream our innocence to the very ground upon which we stand, and our voices can be silenced. The socialogical phenomenon found in this movie only serves to make me be very sure, whether it tastes well on the palate or not, that my information is correct. Because I may, one day, like everyone in the US find ourselves in the same terrifying place. Who will speak for us then, when all others have silenced us?This movie is more than entertainment. It is an factual illustration that carries an important message. I took many lessons away from this. The strong ensemble cast made it impossible not to. It continues to disturb me to this day, and it encourages me to be not to become complacent.

gcmorse I had the chance to watch much of this film being made, as it was shot around Richmond and in the State Capitol. It holds up very well. But the real fun is remembering that Kevin Spacey and Peter Gallagher made a movie together before American Beauty -- back when they were little known. It's also another example of the Jack Lemmon/Kevin Spacey relationship.