The Woman Accused


1h 10m 1933

Brief Synopsis

Jeffrey and Glenda play two lovers about to embark on a three-day cruise to nowhere. Their plan is to be married on board by the ship's captain. As Glenda is packing to leave, she receives a threatening phone call from her obsessed, former lover who has taken residence just two floors above her apartment. Glenda sneaks upstairs to confront Leo and tell him that it's over. Leo, a high-powered attorney calls a hit-man to have Jeffrey eliminated....

Film Details

Genre
Thriller
Release Date
Feb 17, 1933
Premiere Information
not available
Production Company
Paramount Productions, Inc.
Distribution Company
Paramount Productions, Inc.
Country
United States
Screenplay Information
Based on the story The Woman Accused by Polan Banks, Irvin S. Cobb, Rupert Hughes, Gertrude Atherton, Vicki Baum, J. P. McEvoy, Zane Grey, Ursula Parrott, Viña Delmar and Sophie Kerr in Liberty (21 Jan--18 Feb 1933).

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 10m
Sound
Mono
Color
Black and White
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
1.37 : 1
Film Length
8 reels

Synopsis

During a party in New York, attorney Jeffrey Baxter proposes to Glenda O'Brien, unconcerned that she once lived with a man. They plan to leave that evening for a three-day cruise during which they plan to be married. That night, Glenda receives a call from her former lover, Leo Young, who implores her to return to him. Despite her better instincts, Glenda visits Leo in the apartment he has taken above hers. After she informs him she is engaged and refuses to return to him, he locks her in the room and threatens to have Jeffrey killed by a thug he knows, Little Maxie. He describes Jeffrey to Little Maxie, and desperate, Glenda hits Leo on the head with a statue, killing him. She returns to her apartment, where her devoted maid Martha convinces her to take the cruise with Jeffrey, and Glenda accepts her advice. In the meantime, Leo's friend, Stephen Bessemer investigates his death and is instantly suspicious of Glenda, aware that Leo had intended to rekindle their romance. District Attorney Clarke gives Stephen special permission to investigate aboard the ship on which Glenda and Jeffrey are traveling. He uses various devices to trick Glenda into revealing her crime, but is unsuccessful. Finally, during a masquerade party, Stephen holds a mock trial, much to the delight of all the guests but Glenda. He places her on trial for murder, and under the pressure, Glenda tearfully confesses. All but Stephen believe she is acting. Later, Glenda reveals her secret to Jeffrey, who is understanding and continues to intend to marry her. Stephen has Glenda arrested. Back home, Jeffrey whips a confession out of Little Maxie concerning Leo's murder plans and brings Little Maxie to Clarke's office. Once there, Jeffrey uses his talent as a lawyer to prove that the district attorney has no evidence against Glenda, and that there is plenty of evidence against the deceased. Recognizing defeat, Stephen and Clarke drop the case, and Jeffrey and Glenda are left free to marry.

Film Details

Genre
Thriller
Release Date
Feb 17, 1933
Premiere Information
not available
Production Company
Paramount Productions, Inc.
Distribution Company
Paramount Productions, Inc.
Country
United States
Screenplay Information
Based on the story The Woman Accused by Polan Banks, Irvin S. Cobb, Rupert Hughes, Gertrude Atherton, Vicki Baum, J. P. McEvoy, Zane Grey, Ursula Parrott, Viña Delmar and Sophie Kerr in Liberty (21 Jan--18 Feb 1933).

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 10m
Sound
Mono
Color
Black and White
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
1.37 : 1
Film Length
8 reels

Quotes

Trivia

Notes

The opening credits presented the film as "The Paramount-Liberty All-Star Story...By Ten of the World's Greatest Authors." The authors then appear onscreen alongside their names.