Confession by Cinema

Window blinds were reeled down, lights were snapped out in the crowded courtroom of a Philadelphia Quarter Sessions Court one day last week. On an improvised cinema screen flashed the images of a detective, a stenographer, a glum young man. The young man's lips moved. A loudspeaker blatted: "This summer I robbed 25 homes on my milk route. The loot I got was worth $10,000. . . I have not been beaten nor forced to make this confession."

On came the lights. Near the screen in person sat the milkman. Harold Roller, his head bowed. On trial for the robberies, he had maintained his innocence. The jury retired, deliberated 14 minutes, pronounced him guilty.

It was the first "talkie" conviction in a U. S. court. Said Judge James Gay Gordon Jr. in admitting the use of the device to the trial: "Such a confession is more valuable than a mere oral or signed one."

Vainly had the defense objected: "A lawyer can't cross-examine a mechanical robot. The film could have been cut ... the voice faked. We will take this case to the Supreme Court if necessary."

Philadelphia police officials enthused over the confession, predicted that soon all prisoners would be "gabbed" as well as "mugged."

In one day Philadelphia police filmed and recorded confessions of several others besides Robber Roller. Most notable was that of William E. Peters, who before camera and microphone told how he murdered Leona Fischbeck. At his trial his cinema confession will also be used against him.

Suggester of the "talkie" confessional: Publisher Martin J. Quigley of Exhibitors' Herald World (cinema trade weekly).

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