Mountain Justice (1937)

Copyright 6 November 1936 by Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc. New York release at the Rialto, 12 May 1937. U.S. release: 24 April 1937. 10 reels. 83 minutes.SYNOPSIS: Patricide - obviously suggested by the Edith Maxwell case.COMMENT: This engrossingly dramatic Warner Bros social documentary has been produced on an extremely lavish scale. Director Curtiz is in his element with the huge crowd scenes and has creatively and imaginatively handled the stunning courtroom sequences as well as the film's other tense moments. Unfortunately, despite Curtiz's forceful efforts - aided by wonderfully skilful photography by Ernest Haller - the powerfully suspenseful atmosphere is a little undermined not only by some trite dialogue and stereotyped characterizations, but by some misguided efforts at comedy relief. Scriptwriters Norman Reilly Raine of Tugboat Annie fame and Luci Ward of innumerable "B" westerns are solely to blame.In the Edith Maxwell part, Josephine Hutchinson plays with spirit yet dignity. A difficult role, but she handles it with perfect assurance and ease. Barrat is equally right as her brutal father. In a more conventional role, Brent comes across with reasonable force. Heading a great Warner Bros support cast, Marcia Mae Jones deserves a special mention as the heroine's understandably rebellious child-bride sister, whose flight is the catalyst for "murder".

Good-looking melodrama about a backwoods girl (Josephine Hutchinson) who dreams of opening medical clinics for hillbillies, but most contend with abusive father (Robert Barrat). Outrageous at times with some ridiculous caricatures in place of real characters. But still it's entertaining and moves along nicely, helped by an able cast. George Brent plays the Northern lawyer in love with Hutchinson. I believe he was the only character who actually said the word hillbilly in the film. But he said it often and with such disdain each time I couldn't help but chuckle. Guy Kibbee and Margaret Hamilton are the lovable old couple that help show the audience the hill people aren't all as evil as Barrat.

This is a remarkable film, especially for 1937! Think of it -- the physical and sexual abuse of minors and young women and mothers, fratricide, and lynching. Wow!The title tells it all -- legal and moral views of hillbillies coming into the 20th century. Of course, there's also a love story here -- that between George Brent and Josephine Hutchinson. The story is of an abusive hillbilly father that clearly thinks he owns his wife and two daughters -- one in her early 20s, the other approximately pubescent. After several beatings, the older daughters leaves for NYC where she becomes a nurse, and then returns to her hometown to help a local doctor open a clinic. Meanwhile, the father is forcing the young daughter to marry a low-life hillbilly. The older daughter kills her father as she is being beaten with a whip, and goes to jail to be tried for murder. George Brent to the rescue, as a NY city lawyer already hated in the town for previously winning a conviction (and short jail term) against the father when he committed murder. The ending may seem implausible in today's legal climate, but was possible back in those days...albeit just a tad to happy. There are some wonderful performances here. George Brent is fine as the NYC lawyer. Josephine Hutchinson is absolutely wonderful as the older daughter, and every time I see her in an old movie I wonder why she didn't become a major star; she is a fine actress. Guy Kibbee plays the old doctor, and is good in the role, although most of his screen time in in the first half of the film. You'll hate Robert Barrat as the father, but it's an excellent portrayal. The judge is played by Joe King...and is named Joe King in the film; interesting, and a character actor you may recognize. Margaret Hamilton has a charming role as the spinster out to wed the doctor...and she succeeds; unfortunately, her screen time fades as the movie progresses. Unfortunately, Fuzzy Knight plays a likable hillbilly here; for a change I found him tolerable. Elisabeth Risdon plays the mother; another character actor you'll recognize, and this was typical of the roles she often played. Marcia Mae Jones plays the younger daughter well, and you'll recognize here as well (you may remember her as the semi-invalid daughter in Shirley Temple's "Heidi").I rarely give "8"'s, but I am here. This is a forgotten gem!

Backwoods nurse Josephine Hutchinson and doctor Guy Kibbee want to start a series of clinics to help the poor people who can't afford medical attention. Unfortunately, Hutchinson is saddled with an abusive father (Robert Barrat) who uses his temper to keep his wife (Elisabeth Risdon) and two daughters (Hutchinson, Marcia Mae Jones) in line. With the help of doctor Kibbee and his spinster fiancée (wicked witch Margaret Hamilton), Hutchinson escapes to the city for training, and comes back to fulfill her dream with Kibbee. Unfortunately, her father is unwilling to take her back into his life, and takes his frustrations out on younger daughter Jones. When Jones turns to her older sister for help, an accidental death puts Hutchinson on trial for murder. Her New York lawyer beau George Brent comes to the mountains to help her, leading the way to a gripping conclusion.I was pleasantly surprised by how gripping this film was from start to finish, filled with humor, romance, and melodrama. Hutchinson, one of the most underrated leading ladies in history, is convincing; beautiful, yet not glamorized. She has audience sympathy from beginning to end. Brent, who would support many of Hollywood's most popular leading ladies of the 30's and 40's (Davis, Stanwyck, Oberon, Francis, etc.), does his job well; it is a shame that in few Hollywood films of this era, he would be the focus of the story. Risdon and Jones as Hutchinson's mother and sister, do well in small, yet important roles. Barrat, as the abusive father, is so hateful, though he gives his character a quiet proudness that influences his shameful violence. It is hard to praise a performance which requires him to be so hateful, but yet, it is filled with realism that any abused child can relate to.In comic second leads, Guy Kibbee and Margaret Hamilton are hysterical as an engaged couple heading towards the altar for 30 years. (Hamilton, it should be noted, was only 35 when this film was released!) Their wedding scene is absolutely hysterical. For one of the few times in her film career, Hamilton plays a totally sympathetic character, making it hard to believe just two years later, she would enter film immortality as the wicked witch in "The Wizard of Oz". In a small role as Hutchinson's New York chum, Mona Barrie makes the most of her few scenes. "Mountain Justice" is a film regularly seen now on TCM, and makes fascinating viewing.