Jon Hamm joins 'Howl' cast

LOS ANGELES, March 27 (UPI) -- U.S. actor Jon Hamm is set to play defense attorney Jake Ehrlich in the upcoming film "Howl," Variety.com said.

The movie, which is shooting in New York, is about the obscenity trial sparked by Allen Ginsberg's famous poem. It co-stars James Franco, Mary-Louise Parker, David Strathairn, Jeff Daniels, Bob Balaban, Treat Williams and Alessandro Nivola.

TV's "Perry Mason" was based on Ehrlich's life, Variety.com noted.

Hamm is best known for his role on the AMC drama series "Mad Men."