The Judge Steps Out

The Judge Steps Out

Theatrical release poster
Directed by Boris Ingster
Produced by Michael Kraike
Screenplay by Boris Ingster
Alexander Knox
Story by Boris Ingster
Starring Alexander Knox
Ann Sothern
George Tobias
Sharyn Moffett
Florence Bates
Frieda Inescort
Myrna Dell
Music by Leigh Harline
Cinematography Robert De Grasse
Edited by Les Millbrook
Production
company
Distributed by RKO Pictures
Release dates
  • June 11, 1949
Running time
 91 minutes
Country United States
Language English

The Judge Steps Out is a 1949 American comedy film directed by Boris Ingster and written by Boris Ingster and Alexander Knox. The film stars Alexander Knox, Ann Sothern, George Tobias, Sharyn Moffett, Florence Bates, Frieda Inescort and Myrna Dell. The film was released on June 11, 1949, by RKO Pictures.[1][2][3]

Plot

Circa late ‘40’s. Boston (and, it’s always winter there) Judge Thomas Bailey is bored with his job as a probate judge and appears to be just going through the motions as he decides in a case against a mother for custody of her child in favor of the child’s more conservative grandfather. At home, he’s a milquetoast to his self-centered wife who totally dominates the Judge. Evelyn appears to despise her husband for his lack of ambition. She tries to get him an offer to be a Washington lobbyist for a large industrial company. The judge agrees to go to Washington to check things out. While on the train he develops what appears to be an ulcer. He stops at a small town where the local doctor prescribes a break – from everything. Both family and business. Feeling guilty about taking advantage of this short respite, the Judge returns home. As he enters his home, his wife Evelyn, who is playing bridge with her friends (in the adjacent room), does not notice him and is speaking disparagingly about her husband. In her conversation to her friends she shows no emotion or sadness given that the judge has been missing for days - merely disdain. The judge quietly leaves but not before his wife (who didn't know he was home) hears the front door close. After weeks of travelling as somewhat of a hobo, Tom ends up working as a short-order cook at a roadside cafe on Hwy 101 in California (no one there knows he’s a former judge). The woman, Peggy, who owns this cute little place is played by Ann Southern. Peggy is trying to adopt a happy, little girl, Nan, who’s around 10. However, she is having problems with the legal process. Tom tries to help her with her adoption papers but Peggy is still rejected. Despite this setback, Tom has never felt as good in his whole life doing what he was doing and being with Peggy. Both he and Peggy fall in love. Tom realizes that things can’t go on this way. He realizes that the courts are prejudiced against Peggy. Despite the fact that she is a good mother to Nan, there is still the problem that she is single and has a man living in her restaurant/residence with whom she is not married. Moreover, he realizes that he himself was prejudiced in his decision to the woman at the beginning of the movie. He had decided against her because of his own prejudices (the fact she was young with not much money etc.). He perfunctorily handed over the woman’s child to her grandfather because he was rich and had gone to Harvard. Tom returns to Boston to resolve this miscarriage of justice and end his marriage to Evelyn. He succeeds with both. Evelyn has changed though since Tom has been away. She is now less self-centred; more empathetic and almost loving towards Tom. They actually are quite civil to each other. While appealing the case to the Appellate court he is offered a seat on the bench. He declines this as he wishes to return to California, Peggy and Nan. Tom prepares to return to California and Peggy. Evelyn is sad but stoic. He arrives at the train station but has a sudden epiphany of how much he loves law and that running off to California is only a childish dream. Peggy shows up at the station (which seems weird as she had not told him she was coming) and, in a brief exchange, they show great happiness to one another. Nevertheless, he decides to stay in Boston and take the seat on the bench. He gives his ticket to Peggy for her to return to California. Both Peggy and Tom show great warmth and love to each other as Peggy gets on the train. Tom watches the train leave. Tom goes home.

Cast

References

  1. ↑ "The Judge Steps Out (1949) - Overview - TCM.com". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  2. ↑ "The Judge Steps Out". TV Guide. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  3. ↑ "Movie Review - The Judge Steps Out (1949)". The New York Times. Retrieved 20 September 2014.

External links