"Twelve Angry Men" is a 1954 teleplay directed by Franklin J. Schaffner and written by Reginald Rose for the American anthology television series Studio One.
It follows the titular twelve members of a jury as they deliberate a supposedly clear-cut murder trial, and details the tension among them when one juror argues that the defendant might not be guilty.
The episode garnered three Emmy Awards for writer Rose, director Schaffner, and Robert Cummings as Best Actor.
[1][2][3] The program opens as a judge instructs the jury in a murder case that their verdict must be unanimous.
Juror #10 (Edward Arnold) focuses on the neighbor who testified that she saw the defendant stab his father.
Juror #7 (Paul Hartman) focuses on the defendant's record – reform school at age 15 for stealing a car, arrested for knife fighting, and he comes from slums that are breeding grounds for criminals.
Juror #5 (Lee Phillips) takes offense and points out that he's lived in a slum his whole life – "maybe it still smells on me."
Juror #8 asks for the alleged murder weapon, a switchblade, to be brought into the jury room.
Juror #3 notes the old man was confused during the trial and suggests he may not have been precise when he stated it was 15 seconds.
The cast included performances by:[4] Betty Furness presents Westinghouse appliances in breaks after each of the acts.
[4] The production was staged in New York City and aired live on September 20, 1954, as the first episode in the seventh season of the program, Studio One.
[4] The production won three Emmy Awards: for Rose's writing, Schaffner's direction, and for Robert Cummings as Best Actor.