Cinema: Sappy? No, Absurd

One Way Pendulum. Summoned to the parlor of her modest London home, Mrs. Groomkirby finds that Mr. Groomkirby has transformed it into a replica of an Old Bailey courtroom. "I thought as much," she says bemusedly, then steps into the dock to testify in her son's trial for murder. He has slain 34—or perhaps 43—people by striking them down while they laughed at his jokes. Complaints have been lodged, the judge informs her. And drat it, the lad wears only black. Why?

Mrs. Groomkirby smiles patiently. "He always wore black as a baby."

The judge...

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