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Judge Priest

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Judge Priest
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJohn Ford
Written byIrvin S. Cobb
Dudley Nichols
Lamar Trotti
Produced bySol M. Wurtzel
StarringWill Rogers
Tom Brown
CinematographyGeorge Schneiderman
Edited byPaul Weatherwax
Distributed byFox Film Corporation
Release date
  • September 28, 1934 (1934-09-28)
Running time
80 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Judge Priest is a 1934 American comedy film. The film was based on humorist Irvin S. Cobb's character Judge Priest. The film was directed by John Ford and produced by Sol M. Wurtzel in association with Fox Film. The film is set in post-reconstruction Kentucky.

Cast

Stepin Fetchit

Stepin Fetchit’s character in Judge Priest, Jeff Poindexter, is the early twentieth-century stereotypical black man. Jeff Poindexter is extremely dull, slow and lazy. Stepin Fetchit (actually born Lincoln Perry[1]) built his reputation by stereotyping blacks in this manner. It was this portrayal of blacks that enraged many black activists who were fighting the very stereotypes he was portraying. Many labeled him a traitor and purposely avoided events that he was scheduled to attend.

Although Fetchit (born in 1902) was uneducated, he was a very shrewd and calculating man. Despite the on-screen appearance of being dim-witted, he was aggressive with the moguls and producers who controlled Hollywood and took pride in being a “militant Negro”. Fetchit was able to work with both black and white actors, allowing him to reach high levels of success. In doing so, Fetchit was the first black actor to fight for equal treatment from Hollywood executives.

In his role as Jeff Poindexter, director John Ford gave Fetchit some room to expand his comic performance. When Judge Priest asks Jeff why he was not wearing his shoes, Jeff comically replied, “I’m saving them for when my feet wear out.”

Stepin Fetchit was known for attending lavish parties and causing mischief while off the studio lot. In fact, Fox Studios would hire a white bodyguard to ensure that he did not get into trouble while he was off set. Right before the shooting of Judge Priest, Fetchit caused a commotion at a benefit show at the Apollo Theater in New York City. When he arrived back in Hollywood for the filming of Judge Priest, Fetchit’s behavior was much better. In fact, only once was Fetchit late for a shoot (he forgot his make-up kit).

Hattie McDaniel

Hattie McDaniel played Aunt Dilsey in Judge Priest. Hattie McDaniel was just beginning her trek to stardom when she shot Judge Priest. Before starring in Judge Priest she was a relatively unknown actress. Stepin Fetchit apparently doubted her acting abilities at the beginning of shooting Judge Priest, but soon realized he was working with a very talented performer. Director John Ford noted McDaniel’s acting talents. Ford cut some of Fetchit’s scenes and gave McDaniel additional scenes. This created an initial rift between these two pioneering black actors. Hattie McDaniel would eventually surpass Stephen Fetchit in fame.

Like Stepin Fetchit, Hattie McDaniel plays into Black stereotypes characteristic of the early twentieth century. However, she loves to smile and sing while she works. She sings the song “Massa Jesus Wrote Me a Note” while making taffy at the church candy pull.

Will Rogers

Will Rogers played Judge Priest. The film played a major role in earning Will Rogers the number one box office star of 1934. Rogers earned lots of critical praise for his role in Judge Priest. Many critics attend that Rogers simply fell right into the role with his heart-warming personality. Rogers managed a balance of comedic one-liners with serious dramatics. The Tulsa Daily World summed up Rogers’ performance: “The star’s portrayal of Judge Priest has the mark of authenticity upon it…the unique blending of unique talent with a rich and splendid role.”[2]

Judge Priest is an eccentric judge. Although his wife dies 19 years before the film takes place, he shows no interest in remarrying. He sometimes stumbles his words, but he shows his wit throughout the film. The Judge's friend and co-conspirator in manipulating events is black Jeff Poindexter, reflecting ease between the races - which may be surprising to some viewers given the strong honoring of Confederate soldiers in the film. Judge Priest has pride in his tolerance for others as opposed to his more socially-conscious sister-in-law.

Rogers was killed in a plane crash on August 15, 1935, just a year after the release of Judge Priest.

Connection to The Birth of a Nation

Henry B. Walthall plays the role of Reverend Ashby Brand in Judge Priest. Twenty years before Judge Priest was released, Walthall starred as the Little Colonel in the D. W. Griffith film The Birth of a Nation (1915).[3]

Reception

The film was a success at the box office.[4]

Soundtrack

  • Hattie McDaniel, Melba Brown, Thelma Brown, Vera Brown, Will Rogers and others - "My Old Kentucky Home, Good Night" (Music and lyrics by Stephen Foster)
  • Hattie McDaniel - "Aunt Dilsey's Improvisation" (Written by Hattie McDaniel)
  • "Love's Old Sweet Song (Just a Song at Twilight)" (Music by J.L. Molloy, lyrics by J. Clifton Bingham)
  • Hattie McDaniel and others at the festival - "Massa Jesus Wrote Me a Note" (Music by Cyril J. Mockridge, lyrics by Dudley Nichols and Lamar Trotti)
  • "Old Folks at Home (Swanee River)" (Written by Stephen Foster)
  • "Old Black Joe" (Written by Stephen Foster)
  • "(I Wish I Was in) Dixie's Land" (Written by Daniel Decatur Emmett)
  • Hattie McDaniel - "The Little Brown Jug" (Music and lyrics by Joseph Winner)
  • Hattie McDaniel - "Aunt Dilsey's Song" (Music by Cyril J. Mockridge, lyrics by Dudley Nichols and Lamar Trotti)

See also

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Judge Priest.
  1. ^ Watkins, Mel. Stepin Fetchit. New York: Random House, Inc., 2005. Print.
  2. ^ Maturi, Richard J. and Mary Buckingham Maturi. Will Rogers, Performer. Jefferson: McFarland & Company, Inc., 1999. Print.
  3. ^ Winchell, Mark Royden, God, Man and Hollywood (Willmington: ISI Books, 2008)
  4. ^ Churchill, Douglas W. The Year in Hollywood: 1934 May Be Remembered as the Beginning of the Sweetness-and-Light Era (gate locked); New York Times [New York, N.Y] 30 Dec 1934: X5. Retrieved December, 16, 2013.
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