Copyright 6 November 1936 by Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc. New York release at the Rialto, 12 May 1937. U.S. release: 24 April 1937. 10 reels. 83 minutes.SYNOPSIS: Patricide - obviously suggested by the Edith Maxwell case.COMMENT: This engrossingly dramatic Warner Bros social documentary has been produced on an extremely lavish scale. Director Curtiz is in his element with the huge crowd scenes and has creatively and imaginatively handled the stunning courtroom sequences as well as the film's other tense moments. Unfortunately, despite Curtiz's forceful efforts - aided by wonderfully skilful photography by Ernest Haller - the powerfully suspenseful atmosphere is a little undermined not only by some trite dialogue and stereotyped characterizations, but by some misguided efforts at comedy relief. Scriptwriters Norman Reilly Raine of Tugboat Annie fame and Luci Ward of innumerable "B" westerns are solely to blame.In the Edith Maxwell part, Josephine Hutchinson plays with spirit yet dignity. A difficult role, but she handles it with perfect assurance and ease. Barrat is equally right as her brutal father. In a more conventional role, Brent comes across with reasonable force. Heading a great Warner Bros support cast, Marcia Mae Jones deserves a special mention as the heroine's understandably rebellious child-bride sister, whose flight is the catalyst for "murder".

Mountain Justice (1937)** (out of 4) Michael Curtiz directed this rather disappointing film from Warner about mountain girl Ruth Harkins (Josephine Hutchinson) who wants to help a local doctor (Guy Kibbee) build various hospitals so that the poor can have good health. Her abusive father finds out about all of this and her relationship with a New York lawyer (George Brent) so he puts a major beating on her. In self defense the daughter ends up killing her father and the trash locals want her dead too. MOUNTAIN JUSTICE has quite a bit of stuff going on in it but sadly very little of it works. Warner made all sorts of "message" pictures that often dealt with injustice as well as revenge. This film features that stuff but the entire plot is just so paper thin that it was hard to take any of it serious. The biggest problem is that this father is so mean that it's hard to believe that even these trash locals would buy into supporting him. Even if you do believe that they would, the courtroom sequence at the end is just so obvious because you know there would be so many ways for the lawyer to get the woman off these murder charges even if the trash jury convicted her. I'm not going to ruin the final act but it too really feels rushed and thrown together. The performances are another mixed bag but it seems like Brent wants nothing to do with this material. Even in some bad movies he still manages to deliver good performances but that's not the case here as he just comes across bored and wishing he was somewhere else. Hutchinson delivers a fine performance but it's not strong enough to carry the picture. Kibbee, Robert Barrat and Margaret Hamilton are all good but the screenplay really doesn't do much with their characters. There are a few effective moments including the way Curtiz uses shadows for the beating and murder. There's also an effective sequence towards the end when the rednecks decide to put masks on to kidnap the girl from jail. Still, these scenes just aren't enough to overcome all the weaker moments.

"Even in this age of advanced civilization there are still many communities which cling grimly to the stern, unbending principals of our ancestors. And sometimes the defiance of Youth against implacable tribal laws results in tragedy," according to the forward... Our heroine is attractive young nursing school student Josephine Hutchinson (as Ruth Harkins). She would like to start a clinic in her backwoods mountain community, with sympathetic doctor Guy Kibbee (as John "Doc" Barnard), but the endeavor is forbidden by Ms. Hutchinson's ignorant and fundamentalist father Robert Barrat (as Jeff Harkins). When a carnival passes through town, Hutchinson meets New York lawyer George Brent (as Paul Cameron), who is in town to prosecute Mr. Barrat for shooting a surveyor. Hutchinson and Mr. Brent are mutually attracted, but Mr. Barrat forbids marriage...As the brutal, whip-wielding father, Barrat's performance is the one to watch. His wife and daughter, former British "silent film" star Elisabeth Risdon (as Meg) and veteran child actress Marcia Mae Jones (as Bethie) are exceptionally well cast. Also interesting is the long-time unmarried relationship formed by Mr. Kibbee and the inimitable Margaret Hamilton (as Phoebe Lamb). "Mountain Justice" is heightened to the point of no return, but it's certainly interesting. The production is artful, with notable work from director Michael Curtiz and (black-and-white) photographer Ernest "Ernie" Haller. Their work would look better if some of the melodramatics had been toned town, however.****** Mountain Justice (4/24/37) Michael Curtiz ~ Josephine Hutchinson, George Brent, Robert Barrat, Marcia Mae Jones

Backwoods nurse Josephine Hutchinson and doctor Guy Kibbee want to start a series of clinics to help the poor people who can't afford medical attention. Unfortunately, Hutchinson is saddled with an abusive father (Robert Barrat) who uses his temper to keep his wife (Elisabeth Risdon) and two daughters (Hutchinson, Marcia Mae Jones) in line. With the help of doctor Kibbee and his spinster fiancée (wicked witch Margaret Hamilton), Hutchinson escapes to the city for training, and comes back to fulfill her dream with Kibbee. Unfortunately, her father is unwilling to take her back into his life, and takes his frustrations out on younger daughter Jones. When Jones turns to her older sister for help, an accidental death puts Hutchinson on trial for murder. Her New York lawyer beau George Brent comes to the mountains to help her, leading the way to a gripping conclusion.I was pleasantly surprised by how gripping this film was from start to finish, filled with humor, romance, and melodrama. Hutchinson, one of the most underrated leading ladies in history, is convincing; beautiful, yet not glamorized. She has audience sympathy from beginning to end. Brent, who would support many of Hollywood's most popular leading ladies of the 30's and 40's (Davis, Stanwyck, Oberon, Francis, etc.), does his job well; it is a shame that in few Hollywood films of this era, he would be the focus of the story. Risdon and Jones as Hutchinson's mother and sister, do well in small, yet important roles. Barrat, as the abusive father, is so hateful, though he gives his character a quiet proudness that influences his shameful violence. It is hard to praise a performance which requires him to be so hateful, but yet, it is filled with realism that any abused child can relate to.In comic second leads, Guy Kibbee and Margaret Hamilton are hysterical as an engaged couple heading towards the altar for 30 years. (Hamilton, it should be noted, was only 35 when this film was released!) Their wedding scene is absolutely hysterical. For one of the few times in her film career, Hamilton plays a totally sympathetic character, making it hard to believe just two years later, she would enter film immortality as the wicked witch in "The Wizard of Oz". In a small role as Hutchinson's New York chum, Mona Barrie makes the most of her few scenes. "Mountain Justice" is a film regularly seen now on TCM, and makes fascinating viewing.