On Trial (partially found sound film; 1928)

Lobby card for the film.

Status: Partially Found

In 1914, a Broadway play written by Elmer Rice (best known for writing The Adding Machine which was a landmark in drama) called On Trial opened to 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 with slight contributions by Max Pollock. The director w Arcashie Mayo (best known for directing the innovative film The Doorway to Hell). Some of the featured actors include Pauline Frederick, Bert Lytell, and Lois Wilson.

Premise

There are very little details on the plot, characters, and set apart from a simplified summary: On Trial is about a man who is charged with the murder of his best friend, and the matter being brought to trial. A young lawyer decides to be the defense attorney for the case, with the hope of succeeding; however, he is very inexperienced in his work.

Loss

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 with the trailer for On Trial.