The Trial of Vivienne Ware

press release:

Director: William K. Howard

Cast: Joan Bennett, Donald Cook, Zasu Pitts

Accused of murdering her fiancé, young socialite Vivienne (Bennett) goes on trial in this speedy mystery filled with flashbacks and surprises. Stylish auteur Howard experiments with frequent whip pans, wipes, and jump cuts that keep the twisty narrative moving quickly.

Fox Restorations from MoMA: In our first series tribute to the magnificent archival library and preservation efforts of the Department of Film at New York’s Museum of Modern Art, we proudly present seven hard-to-see cinematic gems from Fox Films. These lovely entertainments, produced in the first years of the talkies before Fox merged with 20th Century Films, include pre-code comedies and thrillers, a musical, and a Western. Our lineup includes work by pantheon auteurs like John Ford and Raoul Walsh, but also directors who deserve to be better known like William K. Howard and William Dieterle. The series begins on Feb. 4 with an in-person appearance by the noted film critic Dave Kehr, who now serves as Adjunct Curator in MoMA’s Department of Film.

All Cinematheque screenings are free and open to the public.