On Trial (1917)
Drama | 23 June 1917
The playwright Elmer L. Rice was the penname of Elmer L. Reizenstein . This was the first film purchased by the First National Exhibitors' Circuit. It originally was to be released by the K-E-S-E Service. The film opened in New York the week of 10 Jun 1917. It was reviewed at five reels and copyrighted at seven reels. After the Pennsylvania State Board of Censors cut several titles from the film, actors spoke the titles of the complete film at screenings at the Stanley Theatre in Philadelphia. Warner Bros. filmed Rice's play twice, both under the title On Trial: in 1928, with Pauline Frederick starring and Archie Mayo directing and again in 1939, with Margaret Lindsay starring and Terry Morse directing (see entries below). ...
The playwright Elmer L. Rice was the penname of Elmer L. Reizenstein . This was the first film purchased by the First National Exhibitors' Circuit. It originally was to be released by the K-E-S-E Service. The film opened in New York the week of 10 Jun 1917. It was reviewed at five reels and copyrighted at seven reels. After the Pennsylvania State Board of Censors cut several titles from the film, actors spoke the titles of the complete film at screenings at the Stanley Theatre in Philadelphia. Warner Bros. filmed Rice's play twice, both under the title On Trial: in 1928, with Pauline Frederick starring and Archie Mayo directing and again in 1939, with Margaret Lindsay starring and Terry Morse directing (see entries below).
Robert Strickland, the self-confessed murderer of Gerald Trask, refuses to defend himself on the witness stand. His attorney, however, cross-examines Strickland's wife and by questioning his daughter Doris as well, he exposes the fact that years earlier Trask had seduced Mrs. Strickland. This evidence is sufficient to call for a verdict of not guilty from eleven of the jury, but the twelth member holds out because money disappeared from Trask's safe the night of the murder, and evidence points to Strickland as the thief. When Glover, Trask's secretary, is cross-examined, however, he breaks down and confesses to the robbery, thus clearing the way for Strickland's acquital and his reunion with his ...
Robert Strickland, the self-confessed murderer of Gerald Trask, refuses to defend himself on the witness stand. His attorney, however, cross-examines Strickland's wife and by questioning his daughter Doris as well, he exposes the fact that years earlier Trask had seduced Mrs. Strickland. This evidence is sufficient to call for a verdict of not guilty from eleven of the jury, but the twelth member holds out because money disappeared from Trask's safe the night of the murder, and evidence points to Strickland as the thief. When Glover, Trask's secretary, is cross-examined, however, he breaks down and confesses to the robbery, thus clearing the way for Strickland's acquital and his reunion with his family.
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