The film begins with a murder. A woman is found beside the dead lady and she has no recollection of what transpired. Given that she was in the room with the victim and there didn't appear to be anyone else, she is convicted of murder and sentenced to death. In Hitchcock tradition in the 1930s, the rest of the film is about someone who investigates because they think she MIGHT be innocent (in this case, a juror who has second thoughts played by Herbert Marshall). This is a very, very familiar plot device (in fact, too familiar) that was repeated in Hitchcock's YOUNG AND INNOCENT as well as THE 39 STEPS. On top of that, Marshall's acting is really dull and he seems bored at times--something that surprised me since I usually like him in films. Plus, the plot has a lot of silly devices and holes that make it all seem very unpolished and ordinary.
Unfortunately, in addition to having a too familiar plot, the movie itself is a bit dull, though there are a few bright spots here and there that give it some life. First, the way the trapeze artist deals ends his role in the film is very, very memorable and shocking. Second, in one cute scene, Una O'Connor brings her five brats into Marshall's bedroom and thoroughly annoys him with their behaviors. This is very reminiscent to a funny scene with kids from Hitchcock's BLACKMAIL (1929) and it seems that in light of these two scenes and his never having had kids himself you'd think the director probably despised children! One final note is that this film was made one year after England's first talking picture (the previously mentioned BLACKMAIL) and because sound technology was still new, the results are rather poor. In some cases, people talk over each other and the conversations are muddled and in others the sound volume for each actor hasn't been compensated for--making the softer-voiced actors harder to understand. In addition, the print seemed a tad old and I am sure some restoration work could improve the sound immensely. However, since it's not that great a film to begin with, don't hold your breath!
Unfortunately, in addition to having a too familiar plot, the movie itself is a bit dull, though there are a few bright spots here and there that give it some life. First, the way the trapeze artist deals ends his role in the film is very, very memorable and shocking. Second, in one cute scene, Una O'Connor brings her five brats into Marshall's bedroom and thoroughly annoys him with their behaviors. This is very reminiscent to a funny scene with kids from Hitchcock's BLACKMAIL (1929) and it seems that in light of these two scenes and his never having had kids himself you'd think the director probably despised children! One final note is that this film was made one year after England's first talking picture (the previously mentioned BLACKMAIL) and because sound technology was still new, the results are rather poor. In some cases, people talk over each other and the conversations are muddled and in others the sound volume for each actor hasn't been compensated for--making the softer-voiced actors harder to understand. In addition, the print seemed a tad old and I am sure some restoration work could improve the sound immensely. However, since it's not that great a film to begin with, don't hold your breath!