Reel Justice: The Courtroom Goes to the Movies FROM THE PUBLISHER
From the infamous Scopes Monkey Trial, portrayed in Inherit the Wind, to the sensational war crimes trials that inspired Judgment at Nuremberg, celluloid trials have provided a compelling source of entertainment. Now t wo UCLA law professors/trial aficinados go behind the scenes of nearly 70 riveting courtroom movie dramas and comedies to demonstrate how directors make the legal system accessible to moviegoers.
FROM THE CRITICS
Library Journal
In this informative, entertaining, and unique book, the authors, two UCLA law professors, dissect a broad cross section of courtroom films with wit, humor, and professional expertise but without any stilted legal jargon. They organize the films into categories ranging from true stories (Inherit the Wind), comedy (My Cousin Vinny), and military (A Few Good Men) to lawyer/client relationships (Jagged Edge), civil cases (Kramer vs. Kramer), and unusual judges/jurors (The Devil and Daniel Webster). A succinct plot and character synopsis for each film is followed by a legal analysis of the case that discusses evidence, legal procedures, testimonies, juries, validity of actions by the attorneys, and more. The authors raise a number of provocative questions and suggest that arriving at true justice is not always a straightforward affair. Very enjoyable reading, this book will be appreciated by film enthusiasts as well as by those interested in the various legal, social, and ethical dilemmas in the films. For circulating libraries.Carol J. Binkowski, Bloomfield, N.J.
Booknews
An alphabetical guide to each character in all of Maugham's stories, novels, and plays, including human, animal, named, unnamed, living, and dead characters. Brief entries indicate the work in which the character appears and describe the character in relation to the work as a whole. An introductory essay discusses the importance of Maugham's characters to his literary art. Of interest to students and scholars of literature. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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