After a vaudeville performer is murdered backstage, framed-up evidence lead the police to arrest a troupe member. At his trial, Hermann, a Scandinavian clown known as Beppo, is the lone juror holding out against conviction and pleading for his innocence and acquittal.
Acting
Joe E. Brown's clown-to-tragedy pivot.
Production
Vaudeville authenticity in backstage sequences.
Director
Albert S. Rogell
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Joe E. Brown was Warner Bros.' top-paid star in 1929, making $100,000 per film — this was his transition from slapstick to 'prestige' roles.
The film captures the last gasp of vaudeville culture before talkies killed the circuit; many extras were actual unemployed performers.
US
