Anatomy of a Murder

dir. Otto Preminger
USA, 1958

James Stewart in top form in the gripping yet hilarious court-room drama. I don't think Stewart has managed the line between his corny country bumpkin persona and the more cynical lawyer/policeman type quite as well as he does here. He even sends up his Mr Smith Goes To Washington scout leader country type in a great little play to the judge, where he claims "I'm just a country lawyer, trying to mix it with the big shot city types". He's playing the judge, who he's figured thinks of himself as a country type himself, but he's also playing us, he knows what we think his persona is, and how this part in particular skirts close to it. Great film.

And there's a Duke Ellington score and an appearance from the man himself! And great Saul Bass titles!