Monday Morning in a Coney Island Police Court (1908)

Overview

Judge Patrick Henry McPheeney presides over a chaotic Monday morning police court following a busy weekend. After a scrubwoman wakes the sleeping staff, bickering attorneys Ignatius O’Brien and Diogenes Cassidy arrive, followed by the aggressive judge who rules with a heavy gavel. A series of bizarre trials begin: Happy Hooligan receives a harsh sentence, and snake charmer Serpentine Sue gets life for performing contortions on a frankfurter. Next, two young boys literally float out of the courtroom on a tide of tears caused by their lawyer's emotional plea. The judge's strict demeanor temporarily melts when he lets the scandalously dressed Flossie go and escorts her to her car. Finally, boxers Scrappy Rosenberg and Izzy McManus are hauled in for prize fighting; they demonstrate their skills by knocking out everyone in the room and escaping.

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