Perfect Strangers

This film marks a reunion between Rogers and Morgan who previously co-starred in the highly successful Kitty Foyle playing lovers, for which Ginger won the 1940 Academy Award as Best Actress. According to Rogers, she and Morgan had wanted to work together again ever since and Perfect Strangers provided them with the perfect opportunity. Since that pairing, Rogers had notably become a free agent in Hollywood. Ginger Rogers reportedly took the role after Lauren Bacall turned it down.

In the fourth day of trial, the district attorney produces a two-page letter written to the defendant which he intends to read to the jury. The defense attorney objects but does not state the grounds for his objection. The objection is overruled by the judge. The D.A. reads the letter and submits it as People's Exhibit #1. First, how could they go full three days in a murder trial without submitting any other evidence? Note that up until then the prosecutor had been questioning witnesses and this could be the first physical evidence presented. Second, such a letter should have been provided to the defense prior to trial and any issues briefed and decided before trial. Note that the defense could still object during the trial to specific evidence even if it was known and disclosed previously. Third, the judge overruled the objection without even looking at the letter and allowed it into evidence without even glancing at the signature page. Note again that the judge would have been aware of the evidence and therefore been quick to overrule the objection. Fourth, the letter was not verified by any witness prior to its introduction (a prerequisite, especially for "surprise" items). Note if this was new evidence it would have been presented as such and the judge would have reviewed it before allowing it to be read.

References The Front Page (1931)