Will Rogers, Tom Brown, Anita Louise

In a 1972 interview, John Ford claimed that this slice of Americana, starring Will Rogers as the title character, was his favorite among his films. Certainly Rogers rarely found a part better suited t...( read more  read more... )o him than that of this humorous, commonsensical small-town justice. Essentially a string of anecdotes connected by the humor of the judge, JUDGE PRIEST features a plot that revolves around the legitimacy of Ellie May Gillespie (Anita Louise), a pretty orphan sought after by the judge's nephew, Rome (Tom Brown), a young lawyer. During a warm (quintessentially Fordian) monologue at his wife's grave, the judge glimpses local blacksmith Bob Gillis (David Landau) putting flowers by the grave of Ellie May's mother. When the aging Gillis gets into a brawl with three young men after they've cast public aspersion on Ellie May's virtue, the leader of the young men, Talley (Frank Melton), takes Gillis to court. Since Rome is defending Gillis, Judge Priest must excuse himself from the process. Despite Rome's best efforts, Gillis refuses to reveal his motives for defending the girl's reputation. Perhaps only Judge Priest can solve the problem. The highlight of this extremely enjoyable character-based comedy is the performance of the great monologuist Rogers, who spreads his wings wide in a role where he is basically playing himself. The unfortunate racist stereotyping built into small roles played by Stepin Fetchit and Hattie McDaniel offer an illuminating, albeit painful, window into a grotesque (and widespread) convention of the period.

Flixster Users

64% liked it

172 ratings

G, 1 hr. 21 min.

Directed by: John Ford

Release Date: January 1, 1934

Invite friends to see

Stats: 21 reviews

Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Photos


None yet... Got one?

Your Rating



clear rating
Share on: Facebook Twitter

Flixster Reviews (21)


  • September 25, 2009
    Terrific cast, Will Rogers does an excellent job in a typical laid back role for him. Very well written, short and to the point with a good moral. Interesting direction for John Ford.
  • February 13, 2009
    Well she-yoot, boss, I don't know nothin' 'bout birthin' no babies. I done loves me some fried chicken, and I sure is unedumacated. And that's just the whites, the black people talk even stupider in this movie!

Critic Reviews


No recent reviews.

Comments


This board looks lonely. Be the first to talk about "Judge Priest" !

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

More Like This


This list looks lonely.
Add a suggestion!

Facts


No facts approved yet. Be the first

Judge Priest : Watch Free on TV


Movie Quizzes


No quizzes for Judge Priest. Want to create one?

Video Clips


No video clips yet. Want to upload one?

Meet Other Fans


Recent News


No recent headlines. Got one?

Most Popular Skin


No skins yet. Interested in creating one?