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Tell It to the Judge
Tell It to the Judge
Directed by	Norman Foster
Written by	Devery Freeman (story); Roland Kibbee (add. dialogue)
Screenplay by	Nat Perrin; Allan Scott
Produced by	Buddy Adler
Starring	Rosalind Russell; Robert Cummings ; Gig Young
Cinematography	Joseph Walker
Edited by	Charles Nelson
Music by	Werner R. Heymann
Production; company	Columbia Pictures
Distributed by	Columbia Pictures
Release date	November 18, 1949;
Running time	87 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Tell It to the Judge is a 1949 American romantic comedy film directed by Norman Foster and starring Rosalind Russell as a divorcee who tries to get back her ex-husband, played by Robert Cummings.^[1]

Plot

Appointed to be a federal judge, Marsha Meredith (Rosalind Russell) is questioned by a U.S. Senate committee, specifically about her divorce from lawyer Peter Webb (Robert Cummings).

She returns home to Palm Beach, Florida, where soon Peter shows up to depose showgirl Ginger Simmons (Marie McDonald) for his defense of gangster George Ellerby (Douglass Dumbrille). In a fit of jealousy at spotting her ex-husband with another woman, Marsha picks up Alexander Darvac (Gig Young) in a bar and accompanies him to a gambling spot, which is raided.

Peter helps her escape notoriety. They steal a boat and hide out in a lighthouse, where they rekindle their romance. They remarry, but her grandfather, Judge Meredith (Harry Davenport), persuades them not to publicize that fact until the Senate confirms her appointment.

Ellerby jumps bail. Ginger tries to take Peter to him and they are seen again by Marsha, who is furious. She invents a story to reporters, who have heard rumors about Marsha's new marriage. She claims she wed a man named Roogle (Clem Bevans) who died on their wedding night.

Marsha goes to her friend Kitty's cabin in the mountains to get away from the limelight. Peter, to get even, announces that Roogle is alive and on his way. Marsha ends up asking Darvac to pretend to be Roogle, but has to knock out Darvac when he tries to claim his privileges as her "husband."

In the end, after the confusion is sorted out, Marsha decides that if she has to choose, being married to Peter would make her happier than her career. She comes home and finds Ginger and Darvac knocked out in the closet.

Cast

Rosalind Russell as Marsha Meredith
Robert Cummings as Peter B. Webb
Gig Young as Alexander Darvac
Marie McDonald as Ginger Simmons
Harry Davenport as Judge MacKenzie Meredith
Fay Baker as Valerie Hobson
Katherine Warren as Kitty Lawton
Douglass Dumbrille as George Ellerby
Clem Bevans as Alonzo K. Roogle
Grandon Rhodes as Ken Craig
Maggie Hathaway as Maid
Thurston Hall as Sen. Caswell (uncredited)
Larry Steers as Bar Patron (uncredited)
Ben Welden as Augie (uncredited)

Production

The title was originally What My Next Husband Will Be and was announced in June 1948 as a vehicle for Lucille Ball.^[2] By October the lead had gone to Rosalind Russell.^[3] In November Buddy Adler was attached to produce.^[4] Filming was to begin in January with John Lund discussed as co-star.^[5] Norman Foster signed to direct in December 1948.^[6] Then Fred MacMurray agreed to co star.^[7]

The title was changed to Tell it to the Judge in April 1949, by which time Bob Cummings signed to star.^[8] Cummings had a three picture deal with Columbia.^[9]

Norman Foster directed the film which started 5 April. In May 1949 Charles Vidor was called in to direct re-takes.^[10]

Reception

Variety called it "a flip farce".^[11]

Russell later said she would get the film "mixed up" with another comedy she made around this time, A Woman of Distinction co starring Ray Milland. She called Robert Cummings and Milland "first-class farceurs. They'll do anything for a laugh" but said "I could see the working-woman premise was wearing thin for postwar audiences."^[12] Variety later said the box office performance of both these films "proved weak".^[13]

References

^ TELL IT TO THE JUDGE Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 16, Iss. 181, (Jan 1, 1949): 218.
^ Hopper, Hedda. "Looking at Hollywood". Chicago Tribune, 24 June 1948: B6.
^ Hopper, Hedda. "Looking at Hollywood". Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct 1948: b11.
^ "NEW ARCTIC FILM WILL BE PRODUCED" New York Times, 4 Nov 1948: 38.
^ Schallert, Edwin. "Lund Starring Hinted With Rosalind Russell; 'Agreement' Wins Again". Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec 1948: B7.
^ THOMAS F. BRADY. "HUGHES OPENS DEAL WITH MOVIE STUDIO: Seeks to Readjust Financing and Distribution Contract With Independent Artists". New York Times, 20 Dec 1948: 31.
^ Hopper, Hedda. "Unique Zanuck Film Aimed at Star Trio". Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec 1948: 10.
^ "RKO BUYS 2 STORIES FOR FUTURE MOVIES". New York Times, 15 Apr 1949: 30.
^ Vagg, Stephen (29 October 2024). "Movie Star Cold Streaks: Robert Cummings". Filmink. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
^ "U-I ASKS DAMAGES ON 'CASBAH' FILM". New York Times, 18 May 1949: 33.
^ "Tell it to the Judge". Variety. 16 November 1949. p. 16.
^ Bawden, James; Miller, Ron (2016). Conversations with classic film stars : interviews from Hollywood's golden era. p. 255.
^ "End of stars and system era". Variety. 3 January 1951. p. 59.