Judge Priest (1934)

56% of users liked it
(296 ratings)

Will Rogers stars as Judge William "Billy" Priest, the common-sense Kentucky jurist created by humorist Irvin S. Cobb. The Judge's easygoing manner bothers many of the self-righteous good citizens of his small 19th-century hometown, imperiling his chances for re-election. The anecdotal plot boils… More Will Rogers stars as Judge William "Billy" Priest, the common-sense Kentucky jurist created by humorist Irvin S. Cobb. The Judge's easygoing manner bothers many of the self-righteous good citizens of his small 19th-century hometown, imperiling his chances for re-election. The anecdotal plot boils down to a single storyline involving orphaned Anita Louise, reclusive David Landau (secretly Louise's father), and young attorney Tom Brown.The testimony that saves Landau from a murder charge is delivered by Civil War veteran H.B. Walthall, whose stirring loyalty to the Confederacy inspires everyone in town to organize an impromptu parade! Some of the best scenes are highlighted by Will Rogers' affectionate rapport with stereotyped black-actors Stepin Fetchit and Hattie McDaniel, though these scenes are frequently removed from TV showings of Judge Priest due to their undeniably racist overtones. If you haven't guessed by the first frame of the film that John Ford was the director, you'll recognize Ford's personal stamp the moment Will Rogers kneels by his wife's grave and carries on a warm conversation with his long-departed bride. Ford would remake (and improve upon) Judge Priest in 1953 as The Sun Shines Bright, with Charles Winninger as the judge. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 20 min.
Directed By: John Ford
Written By: Dudley Nichols, Lamar Trotti
Genres: Drama, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1934 Wide

Critic Reviews

Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Ford spends more time setting up a kind of slow-going Southern atmosphere, where everyone knows everyone and it's always just about time for another mint julep.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Agreeable Will Rogers vehicle from John Ford.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Will Rogers has found a part that is best suited for his talents as a populist humorist.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Randy T

Surprisingly humorous social drama featuring the indomitable Will Rogers in the title role. Often cited as John Ford's favorite film, <i>Judge Priest</i> is part Western, part Courtroom Drama and part Depression-Era Escapism. Good stuff.

Cast

            Will Rogers as Judge William "Billy" Priest

            Tom Brown as Jerome Priest

            Henry B. Walthall as Reverend Ashby Brand

            Anita Louise as Ellie May Gillespie

            David Landau as Bob Gillis

            Rochelle Hudson as Virginia Maydew

            Berton Churchill as Senator Horace K. Maydew

            Roger Imhof as Billy Gaynor

            Frank Melton as Flem Tally

            Charles Grapewin as Sgt. Jimmy Bagby

            Brenda Sue Fowler as Mrs. Caroline Priest

            Francis Ford as Juror No. 12

            Hattie McDaniel as Aunt Dilsey

            Stepin Fetchit as Jeff Poindexter

            Grace Goodall as Mrs. Maydew

            Winter Hall as Judge Fairleigh

            Pat Hartigan
            
            Duke R. Lee as Deputy

            Margaret Mann as Governess

            Louis Mason as Sheriff Birdsong

            Paul McAllister as Doc Lake

            Matt McHugh as Gabby Rives

            Paul McVey as Trimble

            Hy Meyer as Herman Feldsburg

            Frank Moran
            
            Vester Pegg as Herringer

            George H. Reed as Servant

            Constantine Romanoff as Townsmen in Saloon

            Harry Tenbrook
            
            Harry Wilson
            
            Robert Parrish
            
            Ernie Shields as Milan

            Beulah Hall Jones
            
See full cast