Synopsis for
Madigan (1968) More at IMDbPro »

On a quiet Spring morning in New York City Police Detectives Daniel Madigan (Richard Widmark) and Rocco Bonaro (Harry Guardino) attempt to bring in small-time hood Barney Benesch (Steve Ihnat) for questioning for the Brooklyn division when the crook gets the drop on them stealing their guns and putting them in dutch with the Police Commissioner Anthony X. Russell (Henry Fonda) who already holds the opinion that Detective Madigan is something of a loose cannon. Additionally on this morning of graduation ceremonies at the Police Academy Commissioner Anthony X. Russell has just been given some evidence that his trusted friend Chief Inspector Charles Kane (James Whitmore) is taking bribes and the Commissioner takes this in with the same stoicism that he does the issues of false arrest of a black man brought to him by the man's father Dr. Taylor (Raymond St. Jacques), respected minister in the local New York community. Domestically Madigan and Russell have women problems. Madigan's wife Julia Madigan (Inger Stevens) complains that her husband isn't available physically nor emotionally, and not ambitious like other husbands, and he still continues to see ex-girlfriend Jonesy (Sheree North) for comfort. Russell is having an affair with married socialite Tricia Bentley (Susan Clark) and feels guilty about it. Madigan and Rocco are given 72 hours to track down their man and with the help of small-time bookie, "Midget" Castiglione (Michael Dunn), they corner the crook in a hotel and Madigan moves in to take him.