4.0 out of 5 stars
Age Old Dilemma With A Light Touch From The End of the Golden Era in Film., September 22, 2011
Growing up in the sixties you would occasionally catch an old gem like this one, but this viewer never did see this particular movie. By the mid-sixties this kinder gentler story was already considered long out of vogue. In fact, the only similar fare would be likened to several situation comedies of the day which tugged at the heartstrings. So, I would say I am somewhat predisposed to enjoy such a throwback to a very different time as portrayed in writer/director Boris Inster's "The Judge Steps Out": the story of a staid middle-aged hen-pecked judge who tires of his family life and profession leaving it all behind for a grand get-away.
This movie speaks to something that is quite offensive, but somewhat universal: What if you disappeared and left your previous reality behind. The fact that it does so with light comedy-with an even lighter touch makes it all palatable and fun. The performance s of Alexander Knox as the perplexed judge and the strikingly attractive Ann Sothern as his semi damsel-in-distress cannot be understated as making the movie work. Alexander Knox was unknown to me and he is nigh perfect as he inhabits his character, Judge Bailey, who is so respected that when he disappears all assume it can only be due to uncontrollable extenuating circumstances...Amnesia, perhaps? Knox delivers just the right nuance and, I believe, he even had an un-credited role in writing parts he played which is entirely understandable as he grabs full empathy of the viewer, never being outright callous as to what a mess he could be making in the wake of his disappearance. Watching him you feel caught up in his dilemma in a just short of euphoric way. He lands in a small roadside berg in California where the pace suits him and the beautiful owner of a roadside diner needs help, but also could use a good man to restore her faith in romance. For a short time both characters bask in their growing affection for each other. But, the brooding question of their compatibility due to both age and his abandoned responsibilities cannot be denied as time passes. There is an underlying heaviness that never darkens the proceedings, but must be addressed somehow. The movie skirts this nicely and truly entertains in the process. There's a bit of comic relief in the small role of the lovable George Tobias, known by my generation best for his role of Abner Kravitz (Mr. Gladys Kravitz of Bewitched fame) as well as his many bit parts in innumerable movies and TV shows. The casting serves perfectly throughout. It is also noticeable the cinematography is fine too in making every frame warm and inviting while not really ever calling attention to itself.
Go back to an era where movie making was warm and fuzzy, even when taking on subject matter of questionable morality. There's some slight edginess to the "heat" displayed between the two principals in which you know the norms of the day were pushed without going too far (there's a bit of saucy dialogue if you catch it and even a bit of implied illicit romance). The only question is was the ending the one that the writer believed in or the one the studio demanded which is wholly understandable and forgivable. It's simply the right ending for a movie that is ultimately heartwarming and, above all, enjoyably from a much kinder gentler time. The print isn't perfect, leading to the conclusion there was no expensive restoration, but, overall, it looks good and it is a treasure to have it now available on DVD. "The Judge Steps Out" is definitely worth a look.
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