kidboots 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!!

wes-connors After concealing his mistress in the office closet, corrupt New York "Night Court" Judge Walter Huston (as Andrew J. Moffett) answers a reporter's questions regarding an investigation led by fellow jurist Lewis Stone (as William "Will" Osgood). Denying all irregularities, Mr. Huston carries on his tough sentencing of prostitutes and petty thieves while letting hardened criminals off the hook. Later, Mr. Huston orders mistress Noel Francis (as Lillian "Lil" Baker) to lay low in a poor section of town, to avoid being questioned. She has some incriminating evidence in her purse, which is seen by pretty apartment neighbor Anita Page (as Mary)...The young wife and mother decides to say noting about "Mrs. Moffett's" bank book, but Huston is taking no chances. He has Ms. Page railroaded. When her husband, handsome cab-driver Phillips Holmes (as Mike Thomas), shows up in court wondering what happened to his wife, the dirty judge takes the couple's baby away. The plot thickens with murder as Mr. Holmes endeavors to untangle the mess. This early "talkie" is nicely handled by all. An unusual pacing works to the film's advantage, making a series of shocking events engrossing. Holmes is an appealing "working class hero" and receives an outstanding cast of co-stars.******* Night Court (4/23/32) W.S. Van Dyke ~ Phillips Holmes, Walter Huston, Anita Page, Noel Francis

Al Westerfield In 1931 Frankenstein and Dracula were thrilling audiences. But neither is as scary as 1932's Night Court because the events depicted here could really happen to you and me. Philips Holmes and Anita Page do the best work of their careers, first as a loving married couple, and later as desperate persons undone by a corrupt system. Things go from bad to worse and still worse until it seems there is no hope for the couple - torn apart, imprisoned, assaulted. Walter Huston plays the villain wonderfully until his over-the-top mad scene. Holmes' acting at the climax must be seen to be believed - absolutely perfect. There are many instances of horror in films of the period but Night Court maintains this fear from the moment Page opens the envelope. This film is a class act, better than Public Enemy or Scarface in its depiction of corruption. It deserves to be better known.

MartinHafer This film had a very poor script--filled with clichés, ridiculous story elements and was way too predictable to be enjoyed. While I am a huge fan of Hollywood films of the 1930s, I really hated this film because of the script and because the film had some excellent actors who were totally wasted. Walter Huston played a crooked judge--in a rather one-dimensional way. It was really hard to see the brilliance of this actor in this turgid film--even though in DODSWORTH and TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE he gave truly amazing performances. Lewis Stone, an excellent character actor, was also given a pretty thankless role. And the part of the film where the innocent woman is "railroaded" and sent to prison is just ridiculous and nonsensical. The bottom line is that it really looks like MGM put little, if any, effort in making this very standard and very silly film full of plot problems. Not everything old is good.