A man is killed and his 9 year old daughter shockingly accuses her grandfather of the crime, saying she saw what happened. The old guy, a former Vaudeville comic with a a joke or story for everyone, seems like the nicest guy in the world. Even his daughter, (now a widow) can't believe it. But circumstantial evidence piles up: Grampa and Daddy were arguing about his living with the family. Daddy was killed by being bludgeoned with a trophy grandpa once won. And the people Grandpa says will give him an alibi, (some other Vaudvillians at a place they hang out, can't vouch for his being there at the time of the crime.
Lawrence Preston has to try to break down the girl's story in court, which makes him seem like a cruel guy but it would be more cruel to let his client be found guilty and possibly executed if her story is wrong.
He succeeds in demonstrating the girl made her story up through a clever procedure. The judge and prosecutor let her off without prosecuting her for perjury. Grandpa forgives her and all is well. One question remains unanswered or even addressed: who did kill Daddy?
The most memorable thing is a splendid performance by young Leslye Hunter as the girl. it's so good she's kind of creepy like the child in "The Bad Seed". Maybe she did it? But we never find out, due to the 'happy' ending.
Lawrence Preston has to try to break down the girl's story in court, which makes him seem like a cruel guy but it would be more cruel to let his client be found guilty and possibly executed if her story is wrong.
He succeeds in demonstrating the girl made her story up through a clever procedure. The judge and prosecutor let her off without prosecuting her for perjury. Grandpa forgives her and all is well. One question remains unanswered or even addressed: who did kill Daddy?
The most memorable thing is a splendid performance by young Leslye Hunter as the girl. it's so good she's kind of creepy like the child in "The Bad Seed". Maybe she did it? But we never find out, due to the 'happy' ending.
