Night Must Fall [DVD]

Sheriff Darl Hardwick wakes up in his patrol car after another drunken night. It looks like this is going to be another hangover morning until he discovers a body in a ditch. That small town does not usually suffer crimes of this type, and on top of that, the victim, Mona, is a transsexual. Darl dodges Mona's wife Scarlett's questions and sends her back to New Orleans. He doesn't plan to waste much time on this case, especially when the judge tells him to keep the issue buried so it doesn't affect the governor, who is up for re-election in a couple of months. Meanwhile, the town is experiencing an intense debate regarding the casino that is to be built and Bull, Darl's father, is one of its most fervent opponents. Darl discovers that the governor plans to support another candidate for Sheriff when the election is held. Darl decides to show up on his own. But his world disintegrates around him when he stumbles upon new evidence about Mona's murder, evidence that could implicate the judge. After facing the judge, Darl has the feeling that something is being prepared against him, but he is immediately arrested for attempted rape, a false and prepared accusation. There is no consistent evidence to convict him, but the accusation is enough to fire him...