MovieChat Forums > Anatomy of a Murder (1959) Discussion > Unrealistic courtroom etiquette

Unrealistic courtroom etiquette


At around the one hour mark, Biegler (James Stewart) lights a darn cigarette inside the courtroom!!! I mean, goodness sake, smoking inside a courtroom???

And lawyers aren’t able to approach witnesses so freely

reply

In the late 1950s smoking was not prohibited in some courtrooms. Up until at least the late 1970s, smoking was allowed in grocery stores, restaurants, libraries, doctors' offices, hospitals, and most workplaces.

reply

In 1992, I smoked in the hallway outside of my classrooms in law school.

As for apparently relaxed standards for approaching the witness, it's artistic license.

reply