The scene in which Ann Carver (Fay Wray) wins a breach-of-promise suit for her client by forcing his accuser to lower her dress sleeve to prove that she's really black was inspired by a famous 1924 court case in New York. Socialite Leonard "Kip" Rhinelander sought to have his marriage to former servant girl Alice Jones annulled on the ground that she was half-black and had concealed this from him. In the real case, Jones not only had to expose her shoulder but had to strip from the waist up, and the jury members examined her torso in the judge's chambers to determine the color of her nipples and therefore decide whether she was black or white. Also, unlike the rich client in the movie, Rhinelander lost his case.
Many people in particular women (even today) didn't like the ending because Fay Wrays character, a famous lawyer, decided to stop working to dedicate to her husband.
The $5,000 check Ann gets for winning the Harrison case would be the equivalent of over $92,000 in 2016.
Melville reminds Bill the salary for all the domestic help is due for the month at $340. That would equal $6,300 in 2016.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content
