Alcoholic has-been actor Henry B. Walthall (as Nathaniel "Nat" Barry) is hauled before the Hollywood "Police Court" for habitual drunkenness. Mr. Walthall is granted a reprieve, after teenage son Leon Janney (Nathaniel "Junior" Barry Jr.) pleads for mercy. Mr. Janney vows to keep Walthall off the bottle, and on screen. Janney tries to line up bit parts for his once famous father, but Walthall has trouble not only delivering lines, but also staying on the wagon.
It's great to see Walthall in a starring role, although this is a significantly more minor production than those the star appeared in during the silent era. Teen actor Janney is an unlikely, but effective co-star. The two are best in scenes on "sets", when they are actors playing actors. Henry King's lesser known brother Lewis directed "Police Court". And, King Baggot is certainly a good choice to play the movie director "Henry Field". Aileen Pringle (as Diana McCormick) and Fred Toones (as Snowflake) add femininity and racial "humor", respectively.
***** Police Court (1932) Louis King ~ Henry B. Walthall, Leon Janney, Aileen Pringle