Madigan

Madigan is adapted from Richard Dougherty's 1962 novel The Commissioner, with a screenplay by two writers blacklisted during the McCarthy era, Howard Rodman (credited under the pseudonym Henri Simoun) and Abraham Polonsky. Directed by Don Siegel, the film opened on March 29, 1968, earning 1.1 million dollars in North American rental. Star Richard Widmark later called Siegel one of the three best directors he'd worked with, saying he fought fiercely for artistic integrity. In 1972, Widmark brought the Madigan character to television under an NBC series umbrella; it was cancelled after six episodes. Who it's for: anyone curious about a crime drama written by two blacklisted screenwriters, whose lead actor rated the director among the best he worked with, and its later life as a television series. Who it's not for: anyone who might confuse the film with its TV follow up, since the two continue the same character in different forms.