The Sun Shines Bright (1953): cast, story & where to watch
1953 · Film · ★ 6.5
Released in 1953, The Sun Shines Bright is a comedy and drama film directed by John Ford, running about 102 minutes. “JUDGE BILLY PRIEST...the only man who ever called Mallie Crump a Lady” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. With the election approaching, a judge in a Southern town at the turn of the 20th century is involved variously in revealing the real identity of a young woman, reliving his Civil War memories, and preventing the lynching of an African youth.
Who’s in it. The Sun Shines Bright stars Charles Winninger as William Pittman Priest, Arleen Whelan as Lucy Lee Lake, John Russell as Ashby Corwin and Stepin Fetchit as Jeff Poindexter, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.5/10, The Sun Shines Bright has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Sun Shines Bright page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Sun Shines Bright tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Sun Shines Bright (1953)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Sun Shines Bright change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Sun Shines Bright worth watching?
- The Sun Shines Bright holds an audience score of 6.5 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy comedy and drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Sun Shines Bright?
- The Sun Shines Bright stars Charles Winninger, Arleen Whelan, John Russell, Stepin Fetchit and Russell Simpson.
- When was The Sun Shines Bright released?
- The Sun Shines Bright was released in 1953, with a runtime of about 102 minutes.