Spoonatects Am i the only one who thinks........Average?

Pacionsbo Absolutely Fantastic

Brainsbell The story-telling is good with flashbacks.The film is both funny and heartbreaking. You smile in a scene and get a soulcrushing revelation in the next.

Juana what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

wes-connors In New Jersey, hidden from camera range, ex-chorus girl Jill Esmond (as Yvette Gordon) kills her husband. She is charged with murder, but claims the gun went off accidentally. The case goes to jury trial. Despite being pushy and over-talkative, wealthy society matron Edna May Oliver (as Mrs. Crane) is accepted as a juror. She creates chaos in the courtroom. As you will surely guess, Ms. Oliver has a contrary opinion in the deliberation room. Oliver would be more amusing if the comedy worked. For example, have Oliver blurt out a question from the jury box and be overruled; an Oliver muttering and mugging after being scolded would be funnier. This was based on a play, so RKO and director Lowell Sherman presumably adhered to the original. It was titled "Ladies of the Jury" too, despite having a jury consisting of both "ladies and gentlemen." A better title would have been "Lady of the Jury", although even that is a judgment call.**** Ladies of the Jury (2/5/32) Lowell Sherman ~ Edna May Oliver, Jill Esmond, Helene Millard, Leyland Hodgson

vincentlynch-moonoi The attraction here is the superb character actress Edna May Oliver. I have always thought that Oliver was more impressive in significant character roles in A films, and not quite as interesting in starring roles in B films, though she did quite a few of those. I was a tad disappointed here, particularly in the early scenes of the film where she overdid the snooty attitude of a society dame, Later in the film it seemed more reasonable.The story here is, essentially, "Twelve Angry Men", but with humor. The crux of the film, however, is the mostly humorous peccadillo of each member of the jury. Talk about stereotypes...but that's what brings most of the humor to the film.Of note in the cast is Ken Murray. As a kid back in the 1950s, I remember Murray showing his "home movies" of the stars. I thought he was a big blow hard then, and I think so even more after watching him in this film. Hambone. Also in the cast is Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams, whom we are more used to seeing in Westerns.Of course, it's politically incorrect now, but the stutterer is quite funny.Although this is a B picture, for 1932 the production values were quite good. The ending is clever, though the film ends just a little too quickly...must have run out of money.Recommended for buffs of the really old films or fans of Edna May Oliver...and to compare it to "Twelve Angry Men". However, if you don't like really old films,this won't be your cup of tea.

bkoganbing Before there was 12 Angry Men there were several women on juries in other states, several in this particular film led by the formidable Edna May Oliver. In Ladies Of The Jury Oliver plays what she was in real life, a New England society woman who is very used to having her own way.With the Boston Brahmin name of Mrs. Livingston Baldwin Crane, Edna May Oliver gets chosen for jury duty and proceeds to wreak havoc on the criminal justice system with her imperious ways. Not only in her state which is apparently Massachusetts allows women on the jury back in the day, but also allows jurors to question witnesses which Oliver takes full advantage. Just like Henry Fonda she believes that defendant Jill Esmond is innocent, but the others are convinced that she took her husband's life. One by one she wins them over though her methods aren't exactly those of reason and logic.A fine group of character players make up the rest of the jurors and other roles. But Ladies Of The Jury is Edna May's show all the way and she makes the most of it. I wonder if Sidney Lumet who directed 12 Angry Men ever saw this comedy gem. Ladies Of The Jury is a B picture comedy gem, don't miss it if TCM broadcasts it again.

SkippyDevereaux If you love Edna Mae Oliver, then see this film. It's hers all the way as she destroys the jury system in this comedy. A close second would have to go to Guinn "Big Boy" Williams, who is also a riot. It's too bad the studios never gave this great actress more opportunities to shine in the lead roles.