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The Sun Shines Bright (1953)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Laurence Stallings (screenplay)
Irvin S. Cobb (short stories "The Sun Shines Bright", "The Mob from Massac" and "The Lord Provides")
Irvin S. Cobb (short stories "The Sun Shines Bright", "The Mob from Massac" and "The Lord Provides")
Release Date:
2 May 1953 (USA)
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Plot:
John Ford weaves three "Judge Priest" stories together to form a good- natured exploration of honour...
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Awards:
Nominated for BAFTA Film Award.
Another 1 nomination
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User Comments:
Liberal, Dixie judge takes a principled stand against small town hypocrisy in turn of the century Kentucky
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Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Charles Winninger | ... | Judge William Pittman Priest | |
| Arleen Whelan | ... | Lucy Lee Lake | |
| John Russell | ... | Ashby Corwin | |
| Stepin Fetchit | ... | Jeff Poindexter | |
| Russell Simpson | ... | Dr. Lewt Lake | |
| Ludwig Stössel | ... | Herman Felsburg (as Ludwig Stossel) | |
| Francis Ford | ... | Feeney (Old Backwoodsman) | |
| Paul Hurst | ... | Army Sgt. Jimmy Bagby | |
| Mitchell Lewis | ... | Sheriff Andy Redcliffe | |
| Grant Withers | ... | Buck Ramsey | |
| Milburn Stone | ... | Horace K. Maydew | |
| Dorothy Jordan | ... | Lucy Lee's mother | |
| Elzie Emanuel | ... | U.S. Grant 'You Ess' Woodford | |
| Henry O'Neill | ... | Joe D. Habersham | |
| Slim Pickens | ... | Sterling, Lanky Backwoodsman |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
90 min | 100 min (video version) | USA:92 min (original theatrical version)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (RCA Sound System)
Certification:
USA:Approved (MPAA rating: certificate #16222) |
Argentina:Atp |
West Germany:12 (f) |
UK:PG |
UK:A (original rating) (cut) |
Finland:S |
Sweden:Btl
Company:
Fun Stuff
Quotes:
[the prayer he says at the funeral of Lucy Lee's mother]
Ashby Corwin: Gentle Jesus, meek and mild, / look upon a little child. / Pity her simplicity; / suffer her to come to thee. / Amen.
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Ashby Corwin: Gentle Jesus, meek and mild, / look upon a little child. / Pity her simplicity; / suffer her to come to thee. / Amen.
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| Judge Priest | To Kill a Mockingbird | They Won't Forget | Gone with the Wind | Across the Universe |
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One of the odd aspects of this film is the post Civil War background that looms large to a greater or lesser degree throughout. This takes the form of a blatantly obvious pro Confederate stance, and an almost religious idolatry of 'Dixie'. Halliwell tells us that Judge Priest, the moral heart of the film, "has trouble quelling the Confederate spirit" - but the opposite is the case - the judge is absolutely central to maintaining and celebrating that spirit. The oddness comes because, it seems to me at least, we are not used to seeing such a character defending black rights, preventing a lynching, etc. Even more peculiar is to see such a 'happy' black population - particularly the quite disturbing courthouse scene where 2 black characters suddenly burst into a grotesque song and dance routine. "Mississippi Burning" this certainly isn't! But certainly a film worth watching, and the prostitute's daughter's funeral scene is excellently done. It somehow feels older than 1953.