Tell It to the Judge

Tell It to the Judge is a lighthearted romantic comedy from 1949 starring Rosalind Russell as Marsha Meredith, a successful divorce court judge who finds herself in a complicated love triangle.

The film opens with Marsha presiding over a case involving two people seeking a divorce, and delivering her trademark tough-but-fair verdict. However, things take an unexpected turn when one of the divorcees, Jeff Sheridan (Robert Cummings), catches Marsha's eye. She finds herself drawn to Jeff's charm and sense of humor, and the two begin dating.

Meanwhile, Jeff's ex-wife, rich socialite Dorothy McGuire (played by the lovely Audrey Totter), is determined to win him back. She hires lawyer friend of hers, Walter (Gig Young), to come up with a plan to sabotage Jeff and Marsha's relationship.

As Jeff navigates the rocky waters between Marsha and Dorothy, Marsha must also deal with the reappearance of an old flame, Mike (Macdonald Carey). Mike, a successful lawyer, had once proposed to Marsha but was turned down due to her dedication to her career. Now, he reappears in her life, throwing a wrench into her newfound relationship with Jeff.

The twists and turns of the love triangle are played out against a backdrop of witty banter, clever dialogue and clever scenarios. There are amusing scenes involving, among other things, a pet chimp named Bonzo, a high society ball, a stolen car chase, and some clever legal maneuvering.

The film is charmingly retro, with a glamorous, Technicolor sheen evoking a sense of a simpler, more innocent time. Rosalind Russell, fresh off her success in His Girl Friday, plays Marsha with her usual aplomb, delivering her lines with razor sharp wit and impeccable timing. Robert Cummings is a charming leading man, effortlessly embodying Jeff's breezy, devil-may-care charm. Audrey Totter is positively delicious as the scheming Dorothy, while Gig Young plays Walter as a hapless bumbler, providing comic relief.

The film's themes of love, career, and the choices we make in life are timeless and universal, and are explored with a light touch that never takes itself too seriously. Ultimately, it's the chemistry between the talented cast that makes this film a delight to watch.