GREAT COURTROOM MOVIES-PART 14

 Centering on judicial systems, courtroom dramas include trials that set lawyers against each other and create direct tense conflict between the defendant and the prosecutor. Conflict can also involve protagonists, usually individuals, against immoral corporations or the government and "good" against "evil." Regardless of the conflict, the film narrates, common thematic elements moviegoers may encounter in these dramas include betrayal, murder, sex, race, perjury, and deception. These thematic elements are followed by fascinating scenes of looking for suspects and evidence to solve the conflict. Courtroom dramas also feature sudden twists, surprises, moral dilemmas, heart-stopping motives, and wrongly accused individuals. While this genre relies on the judicial system for complete narrations, events portrayed in the film can be fictional or real-life crime cases. This blog samples 7 gripping legal thrillers one can watch and enjoy, including;

The Kiss (1929)

Plot; Irene (Greta Garbo) is a young woman trapped in a cold relationship with an older businessman, Charles Guarry (Anders Randolf). Now in love with Andre Dubail (Conrad Nagel), a successful young lawyer, Irene wants them to keep their tender love low in fear of his hot-tempered husband. At one point, Irene and Dubail meet at the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon, France, where they talk about their relationship and kiss passionately before parting ways. After returning home from the museum, Irene suspects Charles watches her moves through the private eye Durant (George Davis). However, when giving a daily report to the boss, detective Durant says Irene was at a local dog show and only met Pierre Lassalle (Lew Ayres), the son of Charles's business partner. Later, Irene and Charles head out for a dinner party where Irene meets her secret lover Dubail.  Pierre, an 18 years-old college boy, attracted to Irene despite their age difference, also attended the formal dinner party. Andre and Irene go to a nearby garden, where Andre informs Irene, he is leaving for Paris. The two kiss again, and Irene goes back to the party to dance with Pierre, who is always “mad “at her. The next day Pierre confesses his undying love for Irene. She does not take it seriously because Pierre is a young boy but agrees to give Pierre her photograph. The next day, Pierre goes to Irene’s home to collect the photograph he was promised. While leaving, he asks Irene for a short goodbye kiss, which Irene resists at the beginning but eventually concedes. The short kiss turns intense when Pierre grabs Irene and presses her for deep pleasure. Financially distraught, Charles, returning home, sees the two kissing and storms into the room. How will this end?

Director; This silent drama film was directed by Jacques Feyder.

Cast; Irene Guarry (Greta Garbo), Andre Dubail (Conrad Nagel), Charles Guarry (Anders Randolf), Pierre Lassalle (Lew Ayres), Durant (George Davis), and the Prosecutor (Andre Cheron).

Awards and Nominations; The film did not receive any wins and nominations.

Commercial Performance; The film was made using the USD 257,000 budget. However, its performance at the local and domestic box office was not revealed.

Trivia; This was MGM’s last silent picture.

The Good Mother 1988

Plot; A Boston piano teacher and the part-time college laboratory worker, Anna Dunlop (Dianne Keaton), recently divorced Brian (James Naughton), her husband, winning custody of their daughter, Molly (Asia Viera). Despite having a strained relationship with the baby daddy, Anna still believes in true love. For that reason, she meets and falls in love with an Irish sculptor, Leo (Liam Neeson). Soon, the sexual relationship between Leo and Anna traps young Molly.  While in the shower one day, Molly sees his stepfather Leo naked. Now curious, she asks Leo about his manhood and goes to the extent of touching it.  With her biological father, Brian, Molly shares her experiences with Leo.  Brian, now furious, sues Anna for Child Custody and accuses Leo of sexually molesting his young daughter. Anna must now stand up and fight to retain the custody of her daughter, and Leo has to clear his name from molestation charges.  How will this end?

Director; This drama film was directed by Leonard Nimoy.

Cast; Anna Dunlop (Deane Keaton), Leo Cutter (Liam Neeson), Brian Dunlop (James Naughton), Frank Williams (Joe Morton), Dr. Payne (Fred Melamed), Ursula (Katey Sagal), Aunt rain (Margaret Bard), and Molly (Asia Viera).

Awards and Nomination; This film did receive any wins and nominations.

Commercial Performance; The film grossed USD 7,764,606 against the USD 14 million budget at the box office.

Trivia; This was Matt Damon's first movie, in which he appears as an extra.

Madame X 1929

Plot; After finding out his wife has a secret affair, Louis (Lewis Stone) divorces Jacqueline (Ruth Chatterton). Despite having a passionless relationship, the two have a four-year-old son, Raymond Floriot (Raymond Hackett). After the breakup, Louis forbids Jacqueline from seeing their son, sending her to depravity. Twenty years later, Jacqueline falls in love with Laroque (Ullrich Haupt), a no-good gambler). Laroque blackmails Louis after discovering he is the attorney general. To avoid losing respect from Raymond, Jaquelin shoots Laroque to death. Jacqueline is put on trial for the murder of her current lover, and the lawyer assigned to defend her is Raymond.  Raymond does not identify his client because they separated for a long time, and Jacquelin refuses to speak in court to further hide her unpleasing identity to Raymond. How will this end?

Director; This Pre-Code drama film was directed by Lionel Barrymore.

Cast; Jacqueline Floriot (Ruth Chatterton), Louis Floriot (Lewis Stone), Raymond Floriot (Raymond Hackett), Noel (Holmes Herbert), Rose (Eugenie Besserer), Colonel Hanby (Michael Lewis), Laroque (Ullrich Haupt), Dr. Merivel (Sidney Toler), Perrisard (Richard Carle) and Valmorin (Claude King).

Awards and Nominations; In 1930, Ruth Chatterton was nominated for an Oscar in the Academy Awards, the USA for the Best Actress in a Leading Role. In the same year, Lionel Barrymore was nominated for an Oscar in the Academy Awards for the Best Director.

Commercial Performance; The performance of this film in the domestic and international market was not released.

Trivia; Robert Montgomery was the first favorite for the role of Raymond.

The Truth 1960

Plot; Dominique is a suicidal, unconventional, and beautiful young girl who lives in a small town with her parents. Annie (Marie-Jose Nat), Dominque's younger sister, is a talented pianist. The lifestyles of the two sisters are different as Dominique leads a suffocating life. One day, when Annie leaves for Paris to further her music career, Dominique also flees with her, despite her parents being rebellious. In Paris, Dominque, the family’s black sheep, indulges in sexual relationships, drugs, and alcohol. Gilbert Tellier (Sami Frey), a talented and ambitious conductor, is Annie’s lover. One day, Gilbert visits Annie and finds nude Dominique, who does not hesitate to flirt with him. The love-struck Gilbert starts dating Dominique, despite having different values and personalities. However, their relationship is exposed to many challenges when Dominique continuously sleeps with other men.  This makes Gilbert take back Annie, whom they get engaged and plan for marriage. Dominque, now desperate for love, tries to beg Gilbert to take her back, but it is too late.  She attempts suicide by stepping Infront of a moving bus but survives with minor injuries. However, later day, Dominique buys a gun and sneaks into Gilbert's apartment to pull off a crime that shocked everyone.  This crime is the film's opening scene, and the events leading to it are told through flashbacks. What did Annie do, and how did it go in court?

Director; The film was directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot.

Cast; Dominique Marceau (Brigitte Bardot), Maître Guerin (Charles Vanel), Gilbert Tellier (Sami Frey), Annie Marceau (Marie-Jose Nat), Le president des assises (Louis Seigner), Ludovic (Andre Oumansky), L’avocat general (Rene Ledoux), Georges (Claude Berri) and the concierge (Jackie Sardou).

Awards and Nominations; The film received 3 wins and 2 nominations. In 1961, the film was nominated for an Oscar in the Academy Awards, the USA for the Best Foreign Language Film.  In the same year, Brigitte Bardot won the David Award for the Best Foreign Actress during the David Donatello Awards. In 1961, the film won the Golden Globe for the Best Foreign-language Film in the Golden Globes, USA.  Moreover, Henri-Georges Clouzot won the Best Director Award during the 1961 Mar del Plata Film Festival.

Commercial Performance; The film registered 5,694,993 admissions at the French box office.

Trivia; This film was Bardot’s success at the box office.

They Won’t Forget 1937

Plot; Flodden, a southern town, is in an uproar when a beautiful teenager, Mary Clay, is found murdered on Confederate Memorial Day. A politically ambitious district attorney, Andrew Griffin, sees this as an opportunity to the U.S Senate If he frames someone for the murder. Griffin’s campaign begins with Robert Hale (Edward Norris), Mary’s teacher and an outsider who lives in New York.  With assistance from William Brock (Allyn Joslyn), Griffin paints a bad picture of the teacher, escalating public hate. Despite the massive effort from Gleason (Otto Kruger), Hale’s lawyer, the teacher is eventually convicted and sentenced to death.  Locals threaten vigilante justice if Hale is not executed. Will Hale’s guardian angel manifest in this hour of need?

Director; This drama film was directed by Mervyn LeRoy.

Cast; District Attorney Anthony Griffin (Claude Rains), Sybil Hale (Gloria Dickson), Robert Hale (Edward Norris), Michael Gleason (Otto Gleason), William A. Brock (Allyn Joslyn), Mary Clay (Lana Turner), Mrs. Hale (Elisabeth Risdon), Mrs. Clay (Sibyl Harris), Shattuck Clay (Trevor Bardette) and Scott Clay (Wilmer Hines).

Awards and Nominations; The film won the NBR Award for the Top Ten Films during the National Board of Review, the USA, 1937.

Commercial Performance; The film grossed USD 68,945 at the box office.

Trivia; This film was a theatrical debut for Allyn Joslyn and Gloria Dickson.

Puncture 2011

Plot; A drug addict lawyer Mike Weiss (Chriss Evans) and Paul Danzinger (Mark Kassen), also a lawman, are the owners of the law firm Danzinger and Weiss.  The pair is appointed to take the case of Vicky Rodgers (Vinessa Shaw), a nurse who contracted HIV from a contaminated needle while at work. Before dying, Vicky introduces a safe needle to Mike and Paul, invented by Jeffery Dancort (Marshall Bell), Vicky’s family friend.  Vicky’s request to the two law partners is to ensure the safe needles reach all the hospitals in the USA.  After investigating, Mike discovers hospitals are avoiding the newly invented safe needles because of increased corruption and pharmaceutical conspiracies.  As Mike fights the medical supplies corporation, his inner demons also demand attention.  The lonely and heavy drug user lawyer resorts to prostitutes. This deteriorates his relationship with Paul and denies him a chance to attend crucial investment meetings.  Senator O’Reilly (Kate Burton) chips in to help the financially distraught Paul, Mile, and Dancort to continue with the case. The senator tells Mike to withdraw from drugs, which leaves him in a life-threatening condition. The trio also meets Nathan Price (Brett Cullen), who settles the beef between Mike and Paul. Their beef comes alive when Mike wants to take the case to trial while Paul resists because of financial problems. After meeting Thompson Needle Manufactures, who encourage him not to drop the unsafe needle case, Mike meets and promises Nathan Price to find hospitals affected with these unsafe needles. The following day, Paul discovers Mike is dead from the drug overdose. Will Paul manage to bring down the immoral medical supplies’ corporation alone in the trial?

Director; This film was directed by Adam Kassen.

Cast; Mike Weiss (Chris Evans), Paul Danzinger (Mark Kassen), Jeffery Dancort (Marshall Bell), Vicky Rodgers (Vinessa Shaw), Nathaniel Price (Brett Cullen), and Senator O’Reilly (Kate Burton).

Awards and Nominations; In 2011, the movie won the Texas Independent Film Award in Houston Film Critics Society Awards.

Commercial Performance; The film grossed USD 68,945 at the box office.

Trivia; Chris Evan's real tattoos can be seen in the film. However, some were custom-made for his role in the movie.

Intruder in the Dust 1949

 Plot: An African-American, Lucas Beauchamp (Juano Hernandez), is accused of murdering a White man Vinson Gowrie (Charles Kemper), in the 1940s, Mississippi. The whole town, inhibited by whites, is ready to lynch the black man for allegedly killing one of their own. Will Beauchamp survive this miscarriage of justice?

Director; This crime drama was directed by Clarence Brown.

Cast; John Garvin (David Brian), Chick Mallison (Claude Jarman Jr.), Lucas Beauchamp (Juano Hernandez), Nub Gowrie (Porter Hall), Vinson Gowrie (David Clarke), and Sheriff Hampton (Will Geer).

Awards and Nominations; The film received 3 wins and 8 nominations, including the BAFTA Film Award nomination for the Best Film from any Source during the 1951 BAFTA Awards.

Commercial Performance; The film grossed USD 837,000 against the USD 988,000 budget at the box office.

Trivia; Will Geer and Juano Hernandez were also the co-stars in The Reivers (1969), also based on William Faulkner's novel.

The Bottom Line

We all love a good legal thriller. Centering on the judicial systems, legal films feature sudden twists and suspense, wrongly-accused people, and heart-stopping motives that make the narration interesting. Above are seven gripping courtroom dramas one can watch and enjoy. Whether one likes films based on true crime events or fiction, the above list fits the bill.

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