Subject matter reminds me of 'Night Court'(1932)
I love TCM because of all the films from the '20's,30's and early 40's that they still show. I caught a film called 'Night Court' (1932) Walter Huston played a crooked judge who sent a lot of innocent people to jail & prison.In place of the newspaper investagating it's the judicial system going after the judge.
A review
In order to supplement a lavish life style and keep his amour in classy digs Judge Moffett (Walter Huston) dispenses injustice in his night court for a price. When a squeaky clean judge (Lewis Stone) initiates an investigation into his criminal practice Moffett goes into defensive mode by hiding the squeeze and his bankbook out in a marginal neighborhood. The woman befriends a neighbor who finds out too much as far as the judge is concerned so he has some charges trumped up to get the woman tossed in prison for six months as well as remove her child from the home. Her taxi driver husband vows to clear her name and expose Moffett so the judge sends some associates over to convince him to take a trip to South America.
Night Court's nightmarish scenario is filled with Kafkaesque undertone as the execrable and efficient Moffett exploits the system with his well oiled machine of muscle and money to deal with problems. Huston gives an excellent turn as the venal and arrogant judge who twists the system to his advantage exuding a condescending superiority even as the noose tightens around his neck and his criminal empire is rounded up. Phillips Holmes as the taxi driver and Anita Page as his wife also give notable performances as victim's of Moffett's handiwork.
There is a twist at the end of this one also.
"It's like yelling at babies for not changing their own diapers!"
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