Ginger Rogers and Dennis Morgan, serving on a sequestered jury during a murder trial, fall in love. She is divorced, he is married.Ginger Rogers and Dennis Morgan, serving on a sequestered jury during a murder trial, fall in love. She is divorced, he is married.Ginger Rogers and Dennis Morgan, serving on a sequestered jury during a murder trial, fall in love. She is divorced, he is married.
- Awards
- 1 win total
John Albright
- Reporter
- (uncredited)
Richard Bartell
- Weatherman
- (uncredited)
Whit Bissell
- Mr. Lister
- (uncredited)
Featured reviews
Some scintillating pre-credits footage of bureaucrats shuffling through card files of prospective jurors, and we're off on the world's least interesting murder trial, propelled by a baffling romance between jurors Ginger Rogers and Dennis Morgan. Both are still married, she's separated, and the movie doesn't seem to know how to treat the prospect of their getting together--we're supposed to want them to, yet also not to want them to, because of all the lives it would disrupt. Meantime, the rest of the jury appears to be the stupidest ever, led by Thelma Ritter, doing her usual welcome Tenth-Avenue-salt-of-the-earth thing, but with bad lines. Rogers, as was her wont at this stage of her career, is more glamorous than the woman she's playing, and one detects a large whiff of star vanity; Morgan looks understandably bored. The movie's unaccountably fascinated with the minor details of jury duty, and everyone on this panel is such an idiot that there's nothing to do but watch them jabber and spar and lead to their inevitable verdict. Bretaigne Windust's direction (now there's a name) is disinterested and uncinematic, but not even a Capra or a Sturges could have made anything of this script.
The plot may be mundane but the writing is good and the motley cast is superb and very entertaining. This is much more than a typical courtroom drama. In face the trial is more of a subplot.
Ginger Rogers and Dennis Morgan serve on a sequestered jury during a murder trial. The two fall in love, despite his still being married and her separated. Combination courtroom drama and soap opera. The murder trial stuff is okay. Not 12 Angry Men but interesting enough. The soaper part is weak and drags the movie down. Predictable safe ending doesn't help. The selling point is the cast. Rogers and Morgan are both likable. The rest of the jurors are made of a variety of colorful characters. The standouts being Thelma Ritter, Anthony Ross, and Alan Reed (voice of Fred Flintstone). It's watchable enough but nothing special. Avid Ginger fans will appreciate it more than most.
This film has two concurrent stories: a court case about a man accused of murdering his wife, and the two jurors who fall in love. It does neither justice.
Ginger Rogers and Dennis Morgan play the couple who find themselves on a sequestered jury, charged with determining the fate of an accused murderer. The film does little to convince the viewer that there is chemistry between the two or that these characters have much in common.
The court case is presented in "snapshots" of courtroom testimony that are unconnected and uncompelling. Most of it is just backdrop to the interactions between the jurors, who are a motley collection of emotional misfits. Unlike "12 Angry Men", there is little gravitas surrounding their interplay.
Blame the writing, which is disjointed and sometimes silly. Only at the very end does Ginger Rogers get a scene where she shows real emotion and depth of character. It is too late, and the ending is mostly unsatisfying.
Ginger Rogers and Dennis Morgan play the couple who find themselves on a sequestered jury, charged with determining the fate of an accused murderer. The film does little to convince the viewer that there is chemistry between the two or that these characters have much in common.
The court case is presented in "snapshots" of courtroom testimony that are unconnected and uncompelling. Most of it is just backdrop to the interactions between the jurors, who are a motley collection of emotional misfits. Unlike "12 Angry Men", there is little gravitas surrounding their interplay.
Blame the writing, which is disjointed and sometimes silly. Only at the very end does Ginger Rogers get a scene where she shows real emotion and depth of character. It is too late, and the ending is mostly unsatisfying.
Ginger Rogers didn't have too much luck in her choice of material by the time the late '40s rolled around--except for a reunion with Fred Astaire in 'The Barkleys of Broadway' most of her dramatic films were a disappointment--but 'Perfect Strangers' has a well-written script from a play by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur. The two stars play jurors who find themselves on a jury panel for a murder trial. Sequestered, they fall in love despite the fact that Dennis Morgan is married, unhappily. The suspense comes from wondering what will happen to their relationship when the trial ends.
Ginger had wanted to work with Dennis Morgan since their last teaming in 'Kitty Foyle'. Under Bretaigne Windust's sensitive direction, the two stars give interesting performances. Among the supporting roles, Thelma Ritter delivers her usual competent work. Well worth viewing, but not yet released to video. You'll have to catch it on one of the cable stations.
Ginger had wanted to work with Dennis Morgan since their last teaming in 'Kitty Foyle'. Under Bretaigne Windust's sensitive direction, the two stars give interesting performances. Among the supporting roles, Thelma Ritter delivers her usual competent work. Well worth viewing, but not yet released to video. You'll have to catch it on one of the cable stations.
Did you know
- TriviaThis 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.
- GoofsIn 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.
- Quotes
Theresa (Terry) Scott: Now what happens?
Robert (Bob) Fisher: They start picking the jury. Twelve men - and women, I hope. By the way, my name's Fisher, Bobby.
Theresa (Terry) Scott: And my name is Scott, Mrs.
- ConnectionsReferences Spéciale première (1931)
Details
- Runtime
- 1h 28m(88 min)
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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