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.
In Los Angeles, Terry Scott (Ginger Rogers) and David Campbell (Dennis Morgan) are selected to serve on the jury of Ernest Craig's murder trial. The jury gets sequestered and are forced to live in close quarters.
David comes off as dull. Terry is less so. Their chemistry is at best lukewarm. The trial is not that interesting. The rest of the jury is a motley crew of fun characters. It would be better to let the side characters stretch their legs. Almost every time, the side characters get a funny bit or a cute little moment or a poignant turn. On the other hand, the two leads have the most boring chemistry. The movie only takes off during the deliberations. It's a lesser "12 Angry Men" in that section but that's still pretty good. There is one tense scene with a cliffside re-enactment. It's very manufactured. There's no reason for that policewoman to be standing so close to the edge but that can be excused. This movie just needs to make the two leads into two of twelve.
David comes off as dull. Terry is less so. Their chemistry is at best lukewarm. The trial is not that interesting. The rest of the jury is a motley crew of fun characters. It would be better to let the side characters stretch their legs. Almost every time, the side characters get a funny bit or a cute little moment or a poignant turn. On the other hand, the two leads have the most boring chemistry. The movie only takes off during the deliberations. It's a lesser "12 Angry Men" in that section but that's still pretty good. There is one tense scene with a cliffside re-enactment. It's very manufactured. There's no reason for that policewoman to be standing so close to the edge but that can be excused. This movie just needs to make the two leads into two of twelve.
This film is about a group of jurors who are sequestered during an important case. In the process, two of them (Dennis Morgan and Ginger Rogers) quickly fall in love--even though Morgan is still married! This illicit relationship is meant as a parallel to the murder trial, as the defendant was having an affair when his wife was murdered--making him the prime suspect. Aside from these two actors, Thelma Ritter and Alan Reed (the voice of Fred Flintstone) are on the jury. Also, one of the witnesses in the trial is a young Frank Cady ('Sam Drucker' from "Green Acres")--who is apparently alive and well even today.
Aside from the Morgan-Rogers angle, the film is essentially a less tense nor as well acted film in the vein of "12 Angry Men". For example, a lady in the jury is projecting her hatred of her ex-husband onto the defendant--much like Lee J. Cobb directed his anger at his son on the defendant in "12 Angry Men". Overall, it's good, but nothing like "12 Angry Men" in quality and the affair angle seems to get in the way and was rather unnecessary--as well as a bit sappy--especially at the end. A decent time-passer but it just doesn't hit the mark.
Aside from the Morgan-Rogers angle, the film is essentially a less tense nor as well acted film in the vein of "12 Angry Men". For example, a lady in the jury is projecting her hatred of her ex-husband onto the defendant--much like Lee J. Cobb directed his anger at his son on the defendant in "12 Angry Men". Overall, it's good, but nothing like "12 Angry Men" in quality and the affair angle seems to get in the way and was rather unnecessary--as well as a bit sappy--especially at the end. A decent time-passer but it just doesn't hit the mark.
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.
Ford Rainey is accused of murdering his wife and the jury assembles. Two of them, Ginger Rogers and Dennis Morgan, fall in love, despite being married to others.
It's based on a stage play by Charles MacArthur and Ben Hecht, and it covers some of the minutiae of assembling a jury. When it comes to the actual trial, it is better than the average courtroom drama, but far from perfect; in the need for drama, the jurors are sequestered and they feel free to discuss the case from the get-go.
It's filled with fine performers like Thelma Ritter, Alan Reed, Paul Ford, and Ned Glass. But in sum, it's not about the case, it's about the relationship between Morgan and Miss Rogers. There's certainly nothing wrong with that, but if you're looking for a movie about a trial, better stick with TWELVE ANGRY MEN.
It's based on a stage play by Charles MacArthur and Ben Hecht, and it covers some of the minutiae of assembling a jury. When it comes to the actual trial, it is better than the average courtroom drama, but far from perfect; in the need for drama, the jurors are sequestered and they feel free to discuss the case from the get-go.
It's filled with fine performers like Thelma Ritter, Alan Reed, Paul Ford, and Ned Glass. But in sum, it's not about the case, it's about the relationship between Morgan and Miss Rogers. There's certainly nothing wrong with that, but if you're looking for a movie about a trial, better stick with TWELVE ANGRY MEN.
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
- Runtime1 hour 28 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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