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.
Directed By
John FordWritten By
Laurence Stallings, Irvin S. CobbStudio
Argosy Pictures, Republic PicturesCast of The Sun Shines Bright
Charles WinningerWilliam Pittman Priest
Arleen WhelanLucy Lee Lake
John RussellAshby Corwin
Stepin FetchitJeff Poindexter
Russell SimpsonLewt Lake
Ludwig StösselHerman Felsburg
Francis FordFeeney
Paul HurstJimmy Bagby
Mitchell LewisAndy Redcliffe
Grant WithersBuck Ramsey
Milburn StoneHorace K. Maydew
Dorothy JordanLucy Lee's Mother
Elzie EmanuelU.S. Grant 'You Ess' Woodford
Henry O'NeillJoe D. Habersham
Slim PickensSterling
James KirkwoodGeneral Fairfield
Ernest WhitmanPleasant 'Uncle Plez' Woodford
Trevor BardetteRufe Ramseur
Eve MarchMallie Cramp
Hal BaylorRufe Ramseur Jr.
Jane DarwellAurora Ratchitt
Ken WilliamsMaydew's Henchman
Clarence MuseUncle Zack
Mae MarshGAR Woman at the Ball
Wilbur MackParty Guest at Ball (uncredited)
Jack PerrinTownsman (uncredited)
Patrick WayneCadet (uncredited)
Chuck HaywardDeputy (uncredited)