On Trial (partially found sound film; 1928)
In 1914, a broadway play written by Elmer Rice (best known for writting The Adding Machine which was a landmark in Drama) called On Trial opened to a giant success. About 14 Years later, a film adaptation of the play was released under the same title, On Trial. A sound film version was released on November 14, 1928, while a silent version of the film was released on December 29, 1928. The screenplay was written by Robert Lord, and was also slightly written by Max Pollock, with the film's director being Archie Mayo (best known for directing the innovative film The Doorway to Hell). Some of the actors that were featured include Pauline Frederick, Bert Lytell, and Lois Wilson.
There are very little details on the plot, characters, and setting so here's a simplified summary of what the film was about: On Trial is about a man who is charged with the murder of his best friend, and the matter being brought on trial. A young lawyer decides to be the defence attorney for the case, with the hope of succeeding; however, he is very unexperienced in his work.
On Trial is considered to be lost, yet several screenshots of the film persist, along with the soundtrack via Vitaphone which are housed at the ULCA Film and Television Archive & the British Film Institute, along the trailer for On Trial.
Image of film from the Photoplay Novel (1/8)
Image of film from the Photoplay Novel (2/8)
Image of film from the Photoplay Novel (3/8)
Image of film from the Photoplay Novel (4/8)
Image of film from the Photoplay Novel (5/8)
Image of film from the Photoplay Novel (6/8)
Image of film from the Photoplay Novel (7/8)
Image of film from the Photoplay Novel (8/8)
One of two stills from On Trial (1/2)
One of two stills from On Trial (2/2)
A Lobbycard for the film (1/4)
A Lobbycard for the film (2/4)
A Lobbycard for the film (3/4)
A Lobbycard for the film (4/4)
A Cut-Out Advertisement for On Trial
