"TRIAL BY JURY" is a courtroom drama, but not really in the same manner as the superior "THE JUROR".  Joanne Whaley Kilmer plays a mom whose son is used as a tool to assist a crime boss to be acquitted.   "THE JUROR" did have its moments of surprise and character development.  "TRIAL BY JURY" has little originality anywhere.  The acting is fine, the direction competent, but there's no "edge of the seat" suspense!  We've seen this or something like it many times before. 

The transfer looks fine, although there is some artifacting, even with 16:9 enhancement.  Fleshtones are consistent, although the picture is a little too soft at times also.  The dolby digital 5.1 sound mix is new and remastered.  While it boosts the atmosphere a great deal over the previous dolby surround mix offered on laserdisc, there aren't a great deal of directional effects.

Hitchcock is being revisited on dvd by a variety of studios.  UNIVERSAL has had several great releases, including Vertigo and Marnie, ANCHOR BAY has issued Rebecca, Spellbound and others.  WARNER BROS.  has done a knock-out job with their release of "NORTH BY NORTHWEST"!   The film fits the mold of the standard "Hitchcock" film.  There's espionage, an innocent man thrown into unusual, dangerous situations, mistaken identity.  Cary Grant stars as an executive mistaken for an agent after an espionage ring.  There's plenty of action and a wonderful production design.  Just watch out for the Mt. Rushmore scene! 

The transfer has been restored and enhanced for dvd.  Scratches have been removed and there's less grain evident than in original theatrical release.  The contrast, color values and clarity are flawless!  There's incredible definition without artifacting in every scene!  

The dolby digital 5.1 sound mix is a real treat. While there isn't a multitude of directional effects, except of course for the great bi-plane sequence,  Bernard Herman's great score has never sounded this good!  There aren't any LFE effects, but the dialogue-driven film has wonderful clarity and atmosphere. 

There are a variety of excellent supplements offered here as well. Screenwriter Ernest Lehman offers a running commentary, offering real insight into the film's production, although there are long lapses between scenes.  There's also a wonderful documentary offering interviews and much more about the film's production.  Herman's incredible score is offered on an isolated track.

Cary Grant stars in another great WARNER BROS release, "ARSENIC AND OLD LACE".  The plot to this Frank Capra film makes this play more like a dark comedy.  Grant plays a newlywed whom discover his aunts are not so "sweet and kind", especially when living beside a graveyard.  There's an element of horror here, but it's playful, like an Abbot & Costello film.  Grant exhibits great comedic skill and the entire cast is terrific.  The film's pace is wonderful, and viewers will be sad to see it end in only 90 minutes.

The transfer is excellent!  Capra uses light and shadow to great effect here and the contrast is flawless!  The image is much sharper than on the CRITERION laserdisc!  There are not age defects, and the master source appears to be unblemished.

The mono sound is distinct and clear, although there is that "sound" quality of an old film, detailed by a light hiss.