When Phillips Holmes was given a solid script ("The Criminal Code", "An American Tragedy" etc) he gave his all and produced inspired performances but when the film was mediocre he couldn't rise above it. After some solid performances for Paramount, MGM must have thought he fit their "handsome leading man" bill perfectly but after securing top billing for "Night Court" the studio quickly lost interest and in "Dinner at Eight"(1933) he had only a few lines as Madge Evan's fiancé. His co-star was Anita Page, an actress who was also getting the cold shoulder from MGM. She had sparkled in the silent "Our Dancing Daughters", critics saying she stole the film from Joan Crawford, but talkies revealed a voice that guaranteed she would never play any high society types. No matter, she gave a fantastic showing as the gangster's moll who responds to John Gilbert's decency in "Gentleman's Fate" and mopped the floor with the other female lead, insipid Leila Hyams. But the writing was on the wall and "Night Court" was one of her last films. A pity because she had the making of a terrific young character actress.
Based on a play by former press whizkid Mark Hellinger, Walter Huston was in his element amid the corruption and crime of civic government playing Judge Moffatt who is not averse to a bit of bribery and kickback. To the people that frequent his night court he is just but "one of them", but if anyone gets in his way he is ruthless. As Mike and Mary Thomas find out. Moffatt's mistress Lil is hidden away in a less up market part of the town but when neighbour Mary accidentally happens to see Moffatt's hefty bank balance, he puts in motion a series of circumstances which see Mary jailed for prostitution and vagrancy. Anita Page comes into her own, first as the happy, contented wife and mother, then as a frightened victim of a crime she is innocent of. Her scenes from the prison when she realizes that authorities have taken away her baby are heart rending. The story then focuses on husband Mike, a young cabbie trying to do his best for his wife and beloved child. Holmes has one of his better parts as his character goes through all the emotions, first amazement and disbelief, finding the courage to take on Moffatt and all his crooked cronies, then realizing that the ball is in his court when Moffatt is willing to do anything to get himself an alibi when righteous Judge Osgood (Lewis Stone) is found murdered.
Mary Carlisle, a 1932 Wampas Baby Star, was getting a career kick start - even though she had what really amounted to a bit part of only a few lines (as Osgood's daughter who comes up with the phrase "this silly old town"), her billing was prominent. Alas not so for luscious Noel Francis - down the bottom of the cast but a pivotal part of the plot, her Lil really struts her stuff and shows what a pre-code bad girl could really do without restrictions!!
Based on a play by former press whizkid Mark Hellinger, Walter Huston was in his element amid the corruption and crime of civic government playing Judge Moffatt who is not averse to a bit of bribery and kickback. To the people that frequent his night court he is just but "one of them", but if anyone gets in his way he is ruthless. As Mike and Mary Thomas find out. Moffatt's mistress Lil is hidden away in a less up market part of the town but when neighbour Mary accidentally happens to see Moffatt's hefty bank balance, he puts in motion a series of circumstances which see Mary jailed for prostitution and vagrancy. Anita Page comes into her own, first as the happy, contented wife and mother, then as a frightened victim of a crime she is innocent of. Her scenes from the prison when she realizes that authorities have taken away her baby are heart rending. The story then focuses on husband Mike, a young cabbie trying to do his best for his wife and beloved child. Holmes has one of his better parts as his character goes through all the emotions, first amazement and disbelief, finding the courage to take on Moffatt and all his crooked cronies, then realizing that the ball is in his court when Moffatt is willing to do anything to get himself an alibi when righteous Judge Osgood (Lewis Stone) is found murdered.
Mary Carlisle, a 1932 Wampas Baby Star, was getting a career kick start - even though she had what really amounted to a bit part of only a few lines (as Osgood's daughter who comes up with the phrase "this silly old town"), her billing was prominent. Alas not so for luscious Noel Francis - down the bottom of the cast but a pivotal part of the plot, her Lil really struts her stuff and shows what a pre-code bad girl could really do without restrictions!!