A benefit screening of "Clarence Darrow: Crimes, Causes and the Courtroom" will premiere on the big screen at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, at the Elks Theatre.

The film is a full-length movie adapted from the solo play co-authored by Rapid City residents Anna Marie and Graham Thatcher, and features Graham Thatcher in the role of Darrow, the famous 19th-century trial attorney.

The husband-wife duo, also known as Periaktos Productions, filmed the movie on location in the Lawrence County Courthouse in Deadwood.

"Clarence Darrow: Crimes, Causes and the Courtroom" explores Darrow's moral convictions and philosophies by using personal reflections and summations from four of his most famous cases: the Loeb and Leopold trial, in which he saved two teenage "thrill killers" from the hangman; the Henry Sweet trial, in which he defended a young black family against charges of murder; the McNamara bombing trial, in which his pursuit of justice for his labor union clients enraged both sides; and the Scopes monkey trial, in which he argued for freedom from religious suppression in the classroom.

Although the cases dealt with in the film date to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Thatchers said they feel the issues presented are still relevant today.

"The most significant thing about the film is that it illustrates the fact that the issues don't change. These trials were at the beginning of the 1900s and the issues of social justice, legal and ethical dilemmas are universal and they never go away," said Anna Marie Thatcher, managing editor of Periaktos Productions. "We're still talking about the death penalty and the ethical use of it. People make ethical decisions every day. Racism still exists. These kind of social problems are never really solved. The best we can hope is that we're getting them all out in the open and talking about them."

Born in 1857, Darrow's life spanned both the turn of the century and the onset of the industrial revolution.

An adamant opponent of capital punishment and a strong proponent of freedom of expression and civil rights, Darrow was labeled "Attorney for the Damned" because he took on many unpopular and seemingly hopeless criminal cases.

The film focuses on Darrow's personal struggle as an attorney for justice in a world where justice is not always served. The film is meant to provoke thought about the frequent conflicts between personal values, professional ethics and the issues faced by a society that purports to guarantee life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness equally to all its citizens, according to the filmmakers. Darrow was well known for his humor and the film also incorporates his wit with his strong opinions regarding the social issues of the day.

For 15 years, the Thatchers have created and toured theatrical productions that focus on ethical issues in the practice of law as a part of continuing legal education programs. The original theatrical production about Darrow is one of five programs they have produced.

Other programs that are also being filmed include "Maxims, Monarchy and Sir Thomas More," a play about the English chancellor beheaded by Henry VIII; "Impeach Justice Douglas!" about Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas; and "Thurgood Marshall's Coming!" a play about the famous civil rights lawyer.

"Actually we have filmed two of our other programs - 'Thomas More' and 'Thurgood Marshall' - and those are now in the editing process," Thatcher said. "They should be ready by mid-fall and we will also begin filming the program on William O. Douglas some time this summer or fall."

Although the Thatchers have no official release dates set for the films, Thatcher said they plan on holding similar benefit premiere parties for the upcoming films.

"If this (benefit premiere) has a good turnout, that's probably the direction we'll go," Thatcher said. "We just figure it's always good to do a little public service."

Beginning in the fall, the filmed version of "Clarence Darrow" will be offered as an online continuing legal education program through numerous state and national bar associations.

Although education is part of the overall goal of the production, Graham Thatcher, artistic director of Periaktos Productions, said that he hopes the film will be a fun and engaging time for the viewers.

"I think that it is entertaining and engaging. We want people to know that," he said. "As soon as you bring up social issues, people groan, but it's got some very funny parts. When we work on a project, we try to make it theatrically viable first and deal with the legal issues second."

The Thatchers also stressed that while Graham is the only actor in the entire hour and 45 minutes of the film, he is more than one character - and the audience is a character, as well.

"A lot of the action is directly into the camera," Anna Marie Thatcher said. "The character is looking at the viewer."

"The audience becomes the other actors in the movie," she said. "Sometimes you're on the witness stand. Sometimes you're the judge. Sometimes you're the jury."

If you go

What: "Clarence Darrow: Crimes, Causes and the Courtroom," a film version of the play by the same name written by Anna Marie and Graham Thatcher and starring Graham Thatcher as Clarence Darrow.

Who: Periaktos Productions and the Pennington County Bar Association

Where: Elks Theatre, 512 Sixth St.

When: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 20

Why: The big-screen premiere is a fundraiser for Dakota Plains Legal Services and Access to Justice, two separately organized groups that provide legal services for elderly and low-income people in South Dakota.

Reception: 5 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. at Prairie Edge, sponsored by the Pennington County Bar Association; open to advance ticket holders.

Tickets: Advance tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students; available at the Dahl Education Complex, Prairie Edge or by contacting Periaktos Productions at 787-7099 or productions@periaktos.com. Tickets also will be available at the door, $15 for adults and $10 for students.

Contact Crystal Hohenthaner at 394-8329 or crystal.hohenthaner@rapidcityjournal.com.