Winterset (1936) Director: Alfred Santell Studio: RKO Radio Pictures Starring: Burgess Meredith (Mio Romagna), Margo (Miriamne Esdras), Eduardo Ciannelli (Trock Estrella), John Carradine (Bartolomeo Romagna) Release Date: December 1936 Runtime: 77 minutes Format: Black & White | Mono | Sound | Drama | Crime Country: United States Language: English Genres: Drama | Crime | Mystery | Courtroom --- Summary: Based on Maxwell Anderson’s Pulitzer-winning Broadway play, Winterset follows Mio Romagna (Burgess Meredith), whose father was executed for robbery and murder only to be later revealed as innocent. Fifteen years later, Mio embarks on a quest to vindicate his father's memory, confronting corrupt officials, dangerous criminals, and societal prejudice. The film weaves poetic dialogue and atmospheric tension into a gripping moral drama. --- Background: Directed by Alfred Santell and written by Anthony Veiller, the film adapts Anderson’s verse drama into cinema. Meredith, Margo, and Eduardo Ciannelli reprise their original Broadway roles, lending stage-honed gravitas. The story is loosely inspired by the Sacco and Vanzetti case, emphasizing themes of justice, immigration, and revenge. Winterset was nominated for two Academy Awards in Art Direction and Musical Score. --- Trivia: Burgess Meredith made his film debut in the lead role, transitioning from Broadway to the screen. Lucille Ball appears briefly in an uncredited bit part. Although based on a starkly tragic play, the film version softens the ending to avoid audience despair. --- Hashtags: #Winterset #BurgessMeredith #MaxwellAnderson #SaccoVanzetti #1930sDrama #RKOFilms #ClassicFilm #CourtroomDrama #RedemptionStory #PublicDomainCinema