The Woman on the Jury is a lost 1924 American silent drama film produced and released by Associated First National and directed by Harry Hoyt. It is based on a Broadway stage play, The Woman on the Jury, and stars Sylvia Breamer and Bessie Love. The story was refilmed in 1929 as an early talkie under the title The Love Racket starring Dorothy Mackaill.
Plot In the Adirondacks, notorious philanderer George Montgomery (Cody) is murdered, and his former sweetheart Grace (Love) is put on trial. Betty Brown (Breamer) and her husband Fred Masters (Mayo) both serve on the jury. When the defendant is nearly wrongfully convicted, Betty reveals her own history with the murder victim—that she once had been in love with him and tried to kill him—proves that the defendant is innocent.
Cast
Production The film was primarily shot at night so that the cast and crew could work on other films during the day.
Censorship The opening for The Woman on the Jury was scheduled for the Chicago Theatre in Chicago, Illinois on May 5, 1924. But, before the event, the Chicago Board of Censors called to limit entrance to those over 21 years of age. The exhibitors, Balaban & Katz, sought an injunction against the board and the judge ruled in their favor.
Reception The film received generally positive reviews, and Breamer's performance was particularly well-reviewed.
Preservation The Woman on the Jury is currently presumed lost. In February 2021, the film was cited by the National Film Preservation Board on their Lost U.S. Silent Feature Films list.
References Notes
Citations
External links
Film review at Variety