In this short educational film “Our Uncommon Law,” presented by the State Bar of Texas, the legal system of the United States is explained to potential jurors. The program is hosted by Gary Merrill, a theater, television, and film actor perhaps best known for his role in All About Eve (1950). (Merrill also married his co-star from the film, Bette Davis.) Through a brief commentary on trials in the past, an explanation of contemporary law, and a glance at a–staged–trial, this film provides basic information for the public about what is expected of a juror. Though the title may seem odd at first, Merrill eventually explains that the law of the United States is “uncommonly good.” Bert Rodriguez’s Dallas-based production company, Visual Presentations, produced the film. Rodriguez was also the producer of the Clio-Award-winning Old Home Bread commercials that introduced the world to C. W. McCall.

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TFC 1970s 1970’s Decatur Wise County educational film educational films short shorts edit edited Our Uncommon Law Bert Rodriguez Rodriguez, Bert Visual Presentations Gary Merrill Merrill, Gary law laws legislature trial by ordeal trial trials trial by the ducking chair trails by the ducking chair ducking chair ducking chairs trial by combat trials by combat case cases civil case civil cases criminal case criminal cases history right rights constitutional right constitutional rights

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