The Woman in Brown (1948) Public Domain Courtroom Drama Inspired by True Events --- Director: Steve Sekely Starring: Walter Pidgeon, Anna Lee, Hurd Hatfield, Lionel Atwill Release Date: January 30, 1948 Runtime: Approx. 91 minutes Format: Black & White Country: United States Language: English Genres: Drama | Crime | Mystery | Courtroom --- Summary: The Woman in Brown is a gripping courtroom drama inspired by the infamous real-life Tiszaeszlár affair of 1882 Hungary, where a Jewish man is wrongfully accused of ritual murder. Walter Pidgeon stars as Karl Nemesch, a principled Hungarian lawyer who risks everything to defend a Jewish client accused of killing a peasant girl. As anti-Semitic hysteria spreads through the small town, Nemesch fights to expose the prejudice and corruption that threaten justice. --- Background: Released in the post-WWII era, the film was a direct response to the growing awareness of anti-Semitism worldwide. It reflects Hollywood’s early efforts to take a stand against racial and religious injustice, dramatizing how easily fear and hate can subvert the truth. Though a fictionalized account, it closely mirrors the real legal case that shocked Europe and became a historic example of institutional bias. --- Trivia: Walter Pidgeon was best known for his roles in Mrs. Miniver and Forbidden Planet, and he brings gravitas to this dramatic role. The real Tiszaeszlár case involved the first major blood libel trial in modern Europe and had international repercussions. The film is noted for its strong message of justice over prejudice, a powerful theme in the shadow of the Holocaust. Due to its public domain status, The Woman in Brown is often included in classic drama collections and is studied for its social commentary. --- Hashtags: #TheWomanInBrown #PublicDomainFilm #WalterPidgeon #CourtroomDrama #1940sCinema #AntiSemitismOnTrial #TiszaeszlarCase #JusticeVsPrejudice #ClassicDrama #HollywoodHistory