Judge Priest: When Old Kentucky Comes Alive in Black and White

So I finally got around to rewatching “Judge Priest,” that Will Rogers flick from 1934, directed by John Ford himself, you know? It’s one of those films I always half-remembered from some rainy November afternoon på SVT2 when mum was making köttbullar and I snuck pieces straight from the pan. Only now, watching as a grumpy grownup with too many opinions? Whole other thing.

Here’s the thing: Will Rogers kind of nails it as the folksy, clever judge. He’s just got this way of being both sharp and super chill at the same time, which I think only Swedes and Texans manage regularly. Ford’s eye for small town life is typical him – there’s this dusty, lazy countryside vibe that’s like waiting for the bus in Sundsvall in early April, when you half expect nothing at all to happen. But it’s warm and funny, with those little moments between the big speeches.

Now, Stepin Fetchit is in it too, yeah – and let’s be real, he does that ‘comic relief’ thing that hasn’t aged great. Feels a bit weird in 2024, doesn’t it? Kind of makes me squirm, like wearing jeans that’re too tight after christmas julbord. Hattie McDaniel pops up as well, which was a surprise – I’d forgotten she was in it. She’s always a gem, stealing scenes with that look.

I do love how the whole community seems to gather, argue, and gossip – just like at ICA on a Saturday when everyone’s slow and chatty. Makes you think about how even in a tiny Kentucky town in black and white, people are just people. Maybe next time I’ll watch it with some old-school Swedish cinnamon buns. Or maybe not. But yeah, give it a shot if you’re craving something with charm and that weird, low-key Ford humour, even if the politics feel more fossil than fresh.

watch the full movie on Mavshack Movies on YouTube

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