A major slog. Well meaning and full of emphathy toward's Shearer's kept woman accused of killing her lover, but limited by how the entire film is set in the trial, so she´s mostly limited to silent suffering while her kid brother does his work showing her innocence. Probably works better on the stage. Veiller's direction is the stuff bad early talkies cliches are made of. Shearer is good in the short section the film actually focus on her.

Norma Shearer's first talkie, but she forgets to talk. If you want to watch a film where Shearer silently gives dramatic looks for an hour, this is for you.

MGM's first talkie displays all the limitations associated with these kind of movies. A static camera (behind which a sodden cameraman sweated in a soundproof booth), awkward positioning of actors and equally awkward pregnant pauses. Norma Shearer just about wins the overacting award, although she's pushed hard by onscreen brother Raymond Hackett.

A major slog. Well meaning and full of emphathy toward's Shearer's kept woman accused of killing her lover, but limited by how the entire film is set in the trial, so she´s mostly limited to silent suffering while her kid brother does his work showing her innocence. Probably works better on the stage. Veiller's direction is the stuff bad early talkies cliches are made of. Shearer is good in the short section the film actually focus on her.