''Tell It to the Judge'' is a 1949 American

romantic comedy film Romantic comedy (also known as romcom or rom-com) is a subgenre of comedy and slice of life fiction, focusing on lighthearted, humorous plot lines centered on romantic ideas, such as how true love is able to surmount most obstacles. In a typica ...

directed by Norman Foster and starring Rosalind Russell as a divorcee who tries to get back her ex-husband, played by Robert Cummings.

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 Palm Beach is an incorporated town in Palm Beach County, Florida. Located on a barrier island in east-central Palm Beach County, the town is separated from several nearby cities including West Palm Beach and Lake Worth Beach by the Intracoas ...

, where soon Peter shows up to depose showgirl Ginger Simmons (

Marie McDonald Marie McDonald (born Cora Marie Frye, July 6, 1923 – October 21, 1965) was an American singer and actress known as "The Body Beautiful" and later nicknamed "The Body". Early life Born in Burgin, Kentucky, McDonald was the daughter of Evert ...

) 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 Harry Davenport may refer to: * Harry Davenport (actor) (1866–1949), American film and stage actor * Harry Davenport (footballer) (1900–1984), Australian footballer * Harry J. Davenport (1902–1977), Democratic Party member of the U.S. House ...

), 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 *

as Ginger Simmons *

as Judge MacKenzie Meredith *

Fay Baker Fay Baker (born Fay Schwager; January 31, 1917 – December 8, 1987) was an American stage, film and television actress and writer. Using the pen name Beth Holmes, she wrote the novel, ''The Whipping Boy''. She also published, under her own nam ...

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. By October the lead had gone to Rosalind Russell. In November Buddy Adler was attached to produce. Filming was to begin in January with John Lund discussed as co-star. Norman Foster signed to direct in December 1948. Then

Fred MacMurray Frederick Martin MacMurray (August 30, 1908 – November 5, 1991) was an American actor. He appeared in more than one hundred films and a successful television series, in a career that spanned nearly a half-century. His career as a major film le ...

agreed to co star. The title was changed to ''Tell it to the Judge'' in April 1949, by which time Bob Cummings signed to star. Norman Foster directed the film which started 5 April. In May 1949

Charles Vidor Charles Vidor (born Károly Vidor; July 27, 1900June 4, 1959) was a Hungarian film director. Among his film successes are ''The Bridge'' (1929), ''The Tuttles of Tahiti'' (1942), ''The Desperadoes'' (1943), ''Cover Girl'' (1944), '' Together A ...

was called in to direct re-takes."U-I ASKS DAMAGES ON 'CASBAH' FILM". ''New York Times'', 18 May 1949: 33.

References

External links

* * * * {{Norman Foster 1949 films American romantic comedy films American black-and-white films Films directed by Norman Foster Columbia Pictures films 1940s English-language films 1949 romantic comedy films 1940s American films