A Crime (1940 film)

A Crime is a 1940 American drama film directed by Charles Barton and starring Marguerite Chapman, Barry Kelley, and John Beal. The film centers on a young woman who is wrongfully convicted of murder and the efforts of her husband, a former lawyer, to prove her innocence.

The plot revolves around a series of circumstantial evidence and courtroom drama. Chapman plays the wife, who is accused of killing a wealthy businessman. Kelley portrays a hardened detective investigating the case. Beal takes on the role of the devoted husband who gave up his law career but is compelled to return to the courtroom to defend his wife.

A Crime is considered a B-movie, known for its fast pacing and focus on plot and character development. While not a major box office success, it is remembered as a representative example of crime dramas produced during Hollywood's Golden Age. The film explores themes of justice, loyalty, and the power of circumstantial evidence.