Compulsion

(1959)   Tags: Fox

NATHAN F. LEOPOLD, JR. v. MEYER LEVIN et al.

In 1924, Richard Loeb, who is deceased, and Nathan F. Leopold, Jr., the plaintiff, pleaded guilty to the murder and kidnapping for ransom of a 14-year-old boy, Bobby Franks. Following a presentence proceeding, each was given consecutive prison sentences of life and 99 years. The luridness of the crime, the background of the defendants, their representation by the most prominent criminal advocate of the day, the “trial,” and its denouement attracted international notoriety. Public interest in the crime and its principals did not wane with the passage of time and the case became an historical cause celebre.

The book and the movie ‘Compulsion’ are a fictionalized account of the crimes. Leopold filed this lawsuit against the book and the movie ‘Compulsion’ alleging a violation of the right of privacy.

Judgment: We conclude that the judgment of the circuit court of Cook County which vacated the summary judgment for the plaintiff on the issue of liability and granted summary judgment and judgment on the pleadings in favor of the defendants was proper. Accordingly, the judgment is affirmed.