The story has it that Charles Laughton and a few of his friends were arrested when the police raided an illegal poker game.

When the time came for the judge to sentence Laughton, he couldn't resist a bit of drama himself. For several minutes he berated Laughton, saying things like how he, as a prominent citizen that people looked up to, had a special obligation to set a good example for them. As the judge waxed eloquent, Laughton's head was bowed, but he was looking up at the judge, like a little boy being scolded.

". . . And so," the judge concluded his remarks, "What do you have to say for yourself?"

To which Laughton responded:

"Because Mary is pure, must I be denied my cakes and ale?"

Brilliant!

Don Firth