by Hal Erickson
synopsis
In rare film appearance, Broadway luminary Elsie Ferguson repeats her 1929 stage role in the 1930 film version of Scarlet Pages. Ferguson is cast as brilliant attorney Mary Bancroft, who defends nightclub songstress Nora Mason (Marian Nixon) from a murder charge. The victim was Nora's rapacious stepfather, who died while trying to assault the girl. As the trial progresses, Mary comes to the startling realization that Nora is her own out-of-wedlock daughter, given up for adoption years earlier. The film is a typical early-talkie bore, but it's worth enduring to watch the great Elsie Ferguson give her all to her art.
characteristics
- Kill
- Nightclub
- Murder
- Orphan
- Songwriter
- Victim
- Toddlers
- Songwriting
- Missing-person
- Lawyer
- Cabaret
- Attorney
- Courtroom
- Employment
- Investigation
