Takes itself way too seriously

The movie's only flaw is also a virtue: It's jammed with characters, stories, warmth and laughs.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

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.

I watched this film for one reason--Edna May Oliver. Cinephiles in the know adore this actresses films--even if she's pretty much forgotten today. However, this courtroom drama turned out to have a lot of shortcomings--mostly because the courtroom procedures were completely ridiculous. No courtroom on this planet is run this way and no judge is that stupid! For example, the lady on trial for murder CONSTANTLY interrupts the proceedings and even chases the jurors as they leave the box to deliberate--begging them to find her innocent!! As for the lawyers, the argue with each other openly in court and scream and yell at witnesses! And, a couple of the jurors make inappropriate comments during the trial that clearly would have had them disqualified. Once in the jury room, most of the jurors seemed much less intelligent than Mr. Potatohead! Now I don't mind a little leeway here, but all this ruined the film for me--most of this wasn't funny and just seemed dumb.Believe it or not, this totally brainless movie was reworked into the teleplay and movie "12 Angry Men"--a movie classic!!! I watch that instead, as despite having Oliver, "Ladies of the Jury" is junk.

LADIES OF THE JURY is a little programmer boosted by the performance of leading player EDNA MAY OLIVER as a Bostonian aristocrat who is allowed to ask questions of the woman on trial for her life (JILL ESMOND), accused of murdering her husband.Edna May is the only member of the jury who believes the woman "not guilty" on the first ballot. The balance of the courtroom scenes show how she turns everyone around to thinking differently.Surprisingly, GUINN ("BIG BOY") WILLIAMS, who livens up the proceedings with some characteristic humor and facial expressions, is not even credited in the film's cast. Among the supporting players, he's the one that stands out.Unfortunately, the script is uneven and the treatment is less than routine with the outcome assured. The abrupt ending makes no impact at all even though the last word goes to Miss Oliver.The humor is scanty and it's surprising to see KEN MURRAY cast as a flippant juror whose attempt at comedy is not really successful.

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.