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The Sun Shines Bright ()

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William Pittman Priest has to use all his wiles to retain his position as judge in his Kentucky hometown, while continuing to be a voice for the town's underclass and for democratic values.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Awards:
  • Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 1 nomination.
  • See more »
Reviews:

Photos and Videos

2 photos

Complete, Cast awaiting verification

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Judge William Pittman Priest
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Lucy Lee Lake
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Ashby Corwin
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Jeff Poindexter
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Dr. Lewt Lake
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Herman Felsburg (as Ludwig Stossel)
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Feeney - Old Backwoodsman
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Army Sgt. Jimmy Bagby
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Sheriff Andy Redcliffe
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Buck Ramsey
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Horace K. Maydew
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Lucy Lee's Mother
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U.S. Grant 'You Ess' Woodford
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Joe D. Habersham
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Sterling - Lanky Backwoodsman
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Gen. Fairfield
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Pleasant 'Uncle Plez' Woodford
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Rufe Ramseur
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Mallie Cramp
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Rufe Ramseur Jr.
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Mrs. Aurora Ratchitt
Kenny Williams ...
Maydew's Henchman (as Ken Williams)
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Uncle Zack
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G.A.R. Woman at the Ball
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Myrtle Anderson ...
Washerwoman (uncredited)
Walter Bacon ...
Townsman (uncredited)
Arthur Berkeley ...
Townsman (uncredited)
Danny Borzage ...
Townsman (uncredited)
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Townsman (uncredited)
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Townsman (uncredited)
Jane Crowley ...
Townswoman (uncredited)
Willa Pearl Curtis ...
Washerwoman (uncredited)
Mimi Doyle ...
Minor Role (uncredited)
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Townsman (uncredited)
Slim Gaut ...
Townsman (uncredited)
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Party Guest at Ball (uncredited)
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Lynch Mob Member (uncredited)
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Deputy (uncredited)
Shep Houghton ...
Party Guest at Ball (uncredited)
James Jackson ...
James (uncredited)
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Townsman (uncredited)
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Lynch Mob Member (uncredited)
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Townsman (uncredited)
Philip Kieffer ...
Jansen (uncredited)
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Townswoman (uncredited)
Jack Low ...
Lynch Mob Member (uncredited)
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Deputy (uncredited)
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Lynch Mob Member (uncredited)
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Party Guest at Ball (uncredited)
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Court Clerk (uncredited)
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Townsman (uncredited)
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Lynch Mob Member (uncredited)
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Party Guest (uncredited)
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Guard (uncredited)
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Dock Walloper (uncredited)
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Cadet Leader (uncredited)
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Beaker (uncredited)
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Townsman (uncredited)
Barry Regan ...
Tally Clerk (uncredited)
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Dink (uncredited)
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Society Matron at the Ball (uncredited)
Allen D. Sewall ...
Townsman (uncredited)
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Assistant Blacksmith (uncredited)
Leslie Sketchley ...
Townsman (uncredited)
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Gossip (uncredited)
Cap Somers ...
Lynch Mob Member (uncredited)
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Townsman (uncredited)
Bennie Washington ...
Minor Role (uncredited)
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Cadet (uncredited)

Directed by

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John Ford

Written by

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Laurence Stallings ... (screenplay)
 
Irvin S. Cobb ... (short stories "The Sun Shines Bright", "The Mob from Massac" and "The Lord Provides")

Produced by

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Merian C. Cooper ... producer (uncredited)
John Ford ... producer (uncredited)

Music by

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Victor Young

Cinematography by

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Archie Stout ... director of photography

Editing by

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Jack Murray

Editorial Department

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Barbara Ford ... assistant editor (uncredited)

Art Direction by

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Frank Hotaling

Set Decoration by

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John McCarthy Jr.
George Milo

Costume Design by

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Adele Palmer

Makeup Department

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James R. Barker ... makeup artist (uncredited)

Production Management

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Lee Lukather ... unit manager (uncredited)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director

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Wingate Smith ... assistant director

Sound Department

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T.A. Carman ... sound
Howard Wilson ... sound
Melvin M. Metcalfe Sr. ... sound recordist (uncredited)

Special Effects by

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Jack Caffee ... special effects (uncredited)

Stunts

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Chuck Hayward ... stunts (uncredited)
Cliff Lyons ... stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department

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Nels Mathias ... key grip (uncredited)

Music Department

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R. Dale Butts ... composer: additional music (uncredited) / orchestrator (uncredited)
Jester Hairston ... music arranger (uncredited)
Harry Scharf ... assistant musical director (uncredited)
Victor Young ... musical director (uncredited)

Additional Crew

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Herbert J. Yates ... presenter
D.R.O. Hatswell ... technical advisor (uncredited)
Crew believed to be complete

Production Companies

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Distributors

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Special Effects

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Other Companies

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Storyline

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Plot Summary

John Ford weaves three "Judge Priest" stories together to form a good-natured exploration of honour and small-town politics in the South around the turn of the century. Judge William Priest is involved variously in revealing the real identity of Lucy Lake, reliving his Civil War memories, preventing the lynching of a youth and contesting the elections with Yankee Horace K. Maydew. Written by Bernard Keane

Plot Keywords
Taglines JUDGE BILLY PRIEST...the only man who ever called Mallie Crump a Lady (original one-three-and-six sheet posters) See more »
Genres
Parents Guide Add content advisory for parents »
Certification

Additional Details

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Also Known As
  • Le soleil brille pour tout le monde (France)
  • El sol siempre brilla en Kentucky (Spain)
  • 太陽は光り輝く (Japan, Japanese title)
  • Sunse jarko sija (Yugoslavia, Serbian title)
  • Wem die Sonne lacht (Austria)
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Runtime
  • 90 min
Country
Language
Color
Aspect Ratio
Sound Mix
Filming Locations

Did You Know?

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Trivia According to a 1968 interview with John Ford, this is his favorite of all of his films. See more »
Movie Connections Featured in John Ford (1992). See more »
Soundtracks My Old Kentucky Home See more »
Quotes [the prayer he says at the funeral of Lucy Lee's mother]
Ashby Corwin: Gentle Jesus, meek and mild, / look upon a little child. / Pity her simplicity; / suffer her to come to thee. / Amen.
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