Question 1

Why was the film's original title 'The Law and Martin Rome' changed?

Accepted Answer

A lawyer named Morton E. Rome threatened to sue, claiming the film would damage his career. Exhibitors also objected, so the title was changed just before release.

Question 2

Which Alfred Newman theme music appears in the film?

Accepted Answer

The theme music 'Street Scene' by Alfred Newman plays over the opening and closing credits, the same music used in The Dark Corner (1946) and originally written for Street Scene (1931).

Question 3

What role swap occurred between Victor Mature and Richard Conte?

Accepted Answer

Originally Victor Mature was cast as the killer and Richard Conte as the cop, but since Mature had recently played villains, the roles were switched.

Question 4

How much did Twentieth Century-Fox pay for the film rights?

Accepted Answer

The studio purchased the film rights to Henry Edward Helseth's novel in 1947 for $22,500 (~$333,000 in 2025).

Question 5

Which uncredited writer worked on the script?

Accepted Answer

Veteran film noir writer Ben Hecht worked on the film's script but is not credited.

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