Gildersleeve’s Bad Day

Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve is selected to serve on a jury in a burglary trial. He is thrilled by the chance to serve his fellow citizens.

An anonymous note offering him $1000 to sway the verdict is delivered to Gildersleeve on his way to court. He pockets the note in his suit without reading its contents, dismissing it as insignificant.

After he leaves for court, Margie sends the suit containing the note to the cleaners. The routine act unknowingly sets the note on a path toward discovery.

George Peabody, the cleaner, reads the note and, without informing Margie, returns it to her while hinting that he knows its contents. He keeps the knowledge to himself for the moment.

The jury cannot reach a verdict after the trial, and Margie fears the bribe has influenced her uncle. She convinces the judge to allow the jurors to retire to their houses for the night.

That night, Peabody blackmails Margie into going to a dance with him, threatening to disclose the note if she refuses. She reluctantly complies to protect her family.

During the dance, Gildersleeve convinces his fellow jurors to vote for acquittal. He counters the pressure from Louie's side by presenting a united front with his peers.

The next day, Louie's henchmen deliver $1000 to Gildersleeve, which he mistakenly takes as a donation to the USO club he chairs. He stores the money away with good intentions, unaware of its tainted origin.

Gildersleeve is shown Louie's note and realizes the funds are not a donation but hush money tied to the case. He decides to retrieve the money from the judge's safe to do the right thing.

During his attempt to recover the funds, Louie's gang captures him using a stolen police car. They intend to take him to the country and kill him, keeping their secret safe.

While being driven away, Gildersleeve quietly turns on the police radio and broadcasts the car's conversation. The gang's plans and dialogue become exposed for anyone listening nearby.

The broadcast reveals enough evidence about the gang's actions to clear Gildersleeve of any wrongdoing in the trial. The taint of the bribe begins to unravel.

Gildersleeve uses the moment to force the car off the road, causing a crash. The gangsters are captured in the aftermath, unable to escape the law.

With the criminals apprehended, Gildersleeve is exonerated and free to resume his public duties. The truth prevails, confirming his integrity and commitment to justice.