Network: CTV Television Network
Broadcast Run: 1949 to 1952
Broadcast Medium: Television
When the original Famous Jury Trials series was produced for the old Du Mont Network in the U.S. between 1949 and 1952, it was of course done live. The format involved frequent flashbacks, and as the various sets were spread widely apart in the large studio, actors had to dash between sets, and as a result were often breathless and panting as they delivered their lines.
While the availability of tape meant that the actors in the CTV revival of this series format in 1970 never needed to be out of breath, what writer Peter Kenter described as a “a sudsy monstrosity” only had a brief one-season run as a daytime strip. Star Donnelly Rhodes would probably rather forget his time on this series, which also featured Cec Linder, Tim Henry, George Raymond and Joanna Noyes. Although the series was produced in Canada, almost all the restaged trials were from U.S. court records.
The CTV half-hour played Monday to Friday at 2:30pm in the 1971-72 season.
Written by Pip Wedge – November, 2002