Greta Nissen was a beautiful Norwegian star who was dazzling and sophisticated in silents, often appearing opposite Adolphe Menjou. Unfortunately there was a reason Greta didn't achieve the same success in talking films - her thick Norwegian accent made her, at times, almost impossible to understand. She will always be remembered as being the star of the first silent version of "Hell's Angels" but by the time the costly film was completed sound had hit Hollywood and Howard Hughes, the producer, scrapped the movie, along with Greta, who was supposed to be playing an English girl (Jean Harlow didn't handle the accent much better) - unfortunately, Greta's career didn't really recover.
Eager Tony Howard (Bramwell Fletcher) is keen to make Nora (Nissen) his wife. "Aren't you glad to see me" would have to be the most extraneous line in the movie as Nora so obviously isn't!!! She already has a husband, an oily cad (Weldon Heyburn trying to put on a Continental accent)!! Tony sees Nora as she really is and his love soon turns to hate as she taunts him with "You wouldn't have the nerve to kill me"!!!....
When Tony arrives home he is a wreck, thank heaven he has a discarded sweetheart Sylvia (Helen Mack in one of her first credited roles) to pull him through, although when his parents come home from the theatre he is like a babbling idiot!! They finally get the truth out of him but when Scotland Yard come calling they are far more interested in his father, Sir Austin Howard (Lionel Atwill) whose wallet and cheque are found near the girl's body.
Some excellent character performances are what keeps this movie a cut above the average court room drama. Of course Lionel Atwill is just splendid as Sir Austin, the father who will do and say anything to keep his son's name in the clear. He has a couple of wonderful dramatic scenes that he plays with great sincerity. Alan Mowbray is excellent as the supercilious lawyer. Herbert Mundin ("Barkus is willing" in "David Copperfield") has a really memorable "piece de resistance" on the witness stand as a cockney cabbie and Billy Bevan is super as a definitely surprise witness, one of Laura's paramours, who's evidence insures that the right person is arrested for the crime.
Bramwell Fletcher had a few memorable roles at that time ("The Mummy", "Svengali") but he is more famous for being the first husband of Diana Barrymore. Even though Weldon Heyburn is uncredited in the IMDb cast list, in the movie's original cast he is listed 3rd - even though he doesn't have a huge amount to do. Interestingly, Greta Nissen did find a husband in him but sadly their marriage didn't last. Apparently when they were on their honeymoon in London, there was talk they would soon seek a Mexican divorce!!!
Eager Tony Howard (Bramwell Fletcher) is keen to make Nora (Nissen) his wife. "Aren't you glad to see me" would have to be the most extraneous line in the movie as Nora so obviously isn't!!! She already has a husband, an oily cad (Weldon Heyburn trying to put on a Continental accent)!! Tony sees Nora as she really is and his love soon turns to hate as she taunts him with "You wouldn't have the nerve to kill me"!!!....
When Tony arrives home he is a wreck, thank heaven he has a discarded sweetheart Sylvia (Helen Mack in one of her first credited roles) to pull him through, although when his parents come home from the theatre he is like a babbling idiot!! They finally get the truth out of him but when Scotland Yard come calling they are far more interested in his father, Sir Austin Howard (Lionel Atwill) whose wallet and cheque are found near the girl's body.
Some excellent character performances are what keeps this movie a cut above the average court room drama. Of course Lionel Atwill is just splendid as Sir Austin, the father who will do and say anything to keep his son's name in the clear. He has a couple of wonderful dramatic scenes that he plays with great sincerity. Alan Mowbray is excellent as the supercilious lawyer. Herbert Mundin ("Barkus is willing" in "David Copperfield") has a really memorable "piece de resistance" on the witness stand as a cockney cabbie and Billy Bevan is super as a definitely surprise witness, one of Laura's paramours, who's evidence insures that the right person is arrested for the crime.
Bramwell Fletcher had a few memorable roles at that time ("The Mummy", "Svengali") but he is more famous for being the first husband of Diana Barrymore. Even though Weldon Heyburn is uncredited in the IMDb cast list, in the movie's original cast he is listed 3rd - even though he doesn't have a huge amount to do. Interestingly, Greta Nissen did find a husband in him but sadly their marriage didn't last. Apparently when they were on their honeymoon in London, there was talk they would soon seek a Mexican divorce!!!