"The Second Verdict" is for the most part a fine entry about justice and the law, let down by a predictable conclusion. Martin Landau is attorney Ned Murphy, who successfully defends traveling businessman Lew Rydell (Frank Gorshin) from a murder rap. Following the verdict, Rydell privately confesses to Murphy that he is guilty of the crime, beating a grocery boy to death because of his psychopathic rage over the flirtatious nature of his wife Melanie (Sharon Farrell), who remains oblivious to the effect she has on other men. Scrupulously honest, Murphy is engaged to the daughter (Nancy Kovack) of his employer (Harold J. Stone), who is reluctant to have his future son-in-law tarnish the firm's reputation by going to the D.A. with Rydell's confession. Tony Hardeman (John Marley), whose brother was saved by Murphy's defense, decides to take matters into his own hands, while the attorney has a heartfelt talk with the judge (Richard Hale) who helped shape him into the lawyer he's become. Best remembered as The Riddler on TV's BATMAN, Frank Gorshin, one of the greatest impressionists of his generation, proves himself to be a solid character performer, quite believable and even frightening.
Review of The Second Verdict
