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Question
Do you know of any movie that has a comedic segment of courtroom testimony?
Thankyou,
Brian
Dear Brian: I'm sorry it took awhile to get back to you; our computer system was off-line all last week to deal with the CodeRainbow virus, and it is just now back up, so I can respond.
I'm not sure exactly what you are looking for, but there are several comedies with courtroom scenes that are quite funny. Here is a partial listing, based on date of release:
1. "Mr. Deeds Goes To Town" (1936), starring Gary Cooper as Longfellow Deeds, who is put on trial for insanity after he comes into a large fortune and starts to give it away.
2. "Miracle on 34th Street" (1947), the Christmas chestnut with Maureen O'Hara and a young Natalie Wood as the girl who doesn't believe in Santa Claus. The courtroom scene where the store Santa is legally declared to be the real Santa Claus is a classic.
3. "Adam's Rib" (1949), with Spencer Tracy and Kathyrn Hepburn as married lawyers who are on opposite sides of a sensational case.
4. "Trial and Error" (1962), a British film starring Peter Sellers as a bumbling lawyer.
5. "What's Up, Doc?" (1972), a screwball comedy similar to the earlier "Bringing Up Baby," with Ryan O'Neal and Barbra Streisand, which ends with a scene of chaos in a courtroom.
6."My Cousin Vinny" (1992), with Joe Pesci & Marisa Tomei, about a fledging Brooklyn lawyer defending his cousin in a backward southern town (Fred Gwynne plays the judge).
7. "Jury Duty" (1995), with Pauly Shore as a goofy juror.
8. "Liar, Liar" (1997), with Jim Carrey as a deceitful lawyer who is forced to tell the truth for a day--his facial and body contortions before the judge in the courtroom (as he tries NOT to tell the truth) are priceless.
9. "Trial and Error" (1997)--not to be confused with the earlier British film. This is not a remake but a new film, starring Michael Richards and Jeff Daniels. Richards plays an actor filling in for his hungover attorney friend (Daniels), and finds himself in over his head. Rip Torn plays the judge.
I hope this answers your question for you.
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Barbara L. Baker
Expertise
I am a professor of communication at a midwest university, who has expertise on subjects related to film. I can answer general questions on U.S. film comedy (especially satires of the 1960s and 1970s) and comic theory. I also could answer questions related to specific comic genres, such as comedian comedies, screwball comedies, "stupid" comedies, and so forth. The more specific you can make your question, the better (e.g. main plot details, main characters, possible character names, possible actors, how you viewed the show, etc.). I also need to have a release date (or range of dates, or at least the year you viewed the film). Please do not just provide a set of links to someplace else (e.g. imdb discussion threads). I am less able to answer questions about comedies from other countries, made-for-TV movies, and recent comic films and actors (although I would do my best to find out). I cannot answer questions about specific TV shows or series, "Our Gang" episodes, anime/magna or about film collectables. I generally cannot provide movie recommendations, since what I find funny others may not. Nor will I answer obvious homework (although I will point you to resources to help answer the question, if asked). I also can't help you find movie stars, or where to buy movie memorabilia, or tell you how to break into the business.
Experience
Course work in comedy films along with teaching about comedy films for several years; I've also conducted research into comedy films.
Education/Credentials
Ph.D. in Communication, emphasis in film and rhetoric
Awards and Honors
A dissertation award from a national organization plus various paper awards
Past/Present Clients
My students
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