Portia on Trial

I was not expecting anything more than a B picture before sitting down to this 52 minute copy. Something has been removed from the original film, as I noted the truncated running time. However, this film and the players, especially Frieda Inescort, punches above its weight class.

Being cut down in length, apparently to fit into TV scheduling, makes the story tight and on point. Inescort carries the film but with good support from actors like Abel, Donnelly, Kolb and Hamilton. Do yourself a favor and don't read the story line, just take the time to watch this short, but very effective 1937 social drama.

If you do, you will likely wonder, as I do now, how Frieda Inescort did not become a bigger film star.