The Third Degree (1919 film)

The Third Degree is a 1919 American silent drama film directed by Tom Terriss and starring Alice Joyce, Holmes Herbert, and Rubye De Remer. Based on the 1908 play of the same name by Charles Klein, the film tells the story of Annie Jeffries (Alice Joyce), whose husband Howard (Holmes Herbert) is wrongly accused of murder.

The plot revolves around the unethical and brutal interrogation tactics employed by the police to extract a confession, hence the title referring to "the third degree." Annie works tirelessly to prove her husband's innocence, facing numerous obstacles and societal prejudices. She believes in his innocence even as circumstantial evidence mounts against him.

The film is notable for its exploration of police misconduct and the potential for injustice within the legal system. Although largely forgotten today, it provides a snapshot of early 20th-century attitudes towards crime, law enforcement, and gender roles. The film is considered a lost film, as no complete prints are known to exist.