With the U.S. Supreme Court ready to start its new term on Monday, it seems a perfect time for a non-juried review of some of filmdom’s best courtroom scenes and judicial movies.
I ask a unanimous verdict — and maybe a round of applause — for the likes of some very powerful films (plus several “misdemeanor” examples of comic relief):
Three Spencer Tracy classics
Mr. Tracy is at ease in everything from romantic comedy to high drama:
• “Adam’s Rib,” a charming romantic comedy with, of course, Katharine Hepburn. Exhibit A.
• “Judgment at Nuremberg,” the famed war-crimes drama. Exhibit B.
• “Inherit the Wind,” Tracy’s fictionalized take on Clarence Darrow at the Scopes “monkey trial” features an emotional battle over the teaching of evolution. A masterpiece worthy of two film clips. Exhibit C-1.
And the even-more-powerful Exhibit C-2.
Three powerful military courts-martial
In order, by the film’s release date, we have:
• “The Caine Mutiny,” one of many Humphrey Bogart tours de force — with another fine performance by Fred MacMurray as a classic film “cad.” Exhibit D.
• “Breaker Morant,” a Boer War tale of three Australian lieutenants made scapegoats to protect their superiors. Exhibit E.
• “A Few Good Men,” the famed Jack Nicholson-Tom Cruise showdown. Exhibit F.
Three lighter courtroom confrontations
• “What’s Up, Doc?” a throwback “screwball comedy” with Barbra Streisand and Ryan O’Neal and one very eccentric judge. Exhibit G.
• “My Cousin Vinny,” the captivating story of an inexperienced lawyer who “helps out” a family member in big legal trouble. (I had forgotten how much fun this film is.) Exhibit H.
• “First Monday in October,” the 1981 Walter Matthau-Jill Clayburgh comedic look at the high court’s chemistry when the first woman joins the U.S. Supreme Court. Exhibit I.
Six more courtroom cases
• “Anatomy of a Murder,” the racy (for its time) Jimmy Stewart drama with the role of the judge played by famed attorney Joseph N. Welch of the Army-McCarthy hearings known for his famous “Have you no sense of decency” speech. Exhibit J.
• “The Fountainhead,” Gary Cooper’s intense embodiment of Ayn Rand’s philosophy highlighted in his courtroom speech. Exhibit K.
• “Miracle on 34th Street,” the Christmas classic with John Payne defending a very unusual client, Santa Claus. The movie’s unique 5-minute trailer is Exhibit L.
• “To Kill a Mockingbird,” just about everybody’s favorite and rated No. 1 on the American Film Institute’s list of Top 10 Courtroom Dramas. Exhibit M.
• “The Verdict,” a Paul Newman triumph. Exhibit N.
• “Witness for the Prosecution,” director Billy Wilder’s take on the surprise-filled Agatha Christie tale, with an equally intriguing film trailer (Exhibit O).
Closing arguments: two ‘non-courtroom’ classics
• “12 Angry Men,” featuring Henry Fonda and a remarkable ensemble cast outside the courtroom in a two-hour battle of wills in a claustrophobic jury room. Exhibit P.
• “Scent of a Woman,” Al Pacino’s 1992 Oscar-winning role and his impassioned defense of a student who won’t “snitch” or compromise his values. Exhibit Q.
I rest my case.