This is great fun. There was a bunch of lawyer pictures in 1932, one of which (my own favourite) like this, also starred William Powell. This one pre-dates those by a couple of years but is such a well made film, you'd never guess .... it's also easily as good.
Just for context, those other similar films (they're similar because they're all loosely based on real-life lawyer, Bill Fallon) are, in my order of preference: -
1. LAWYER MAN (32, WB) William Powell. Also starring Joan Blondell so obviously the best.... Powell is also so cool in this.
2. COUNCELLOR AT LAW (32, Uni) John Barrymore . Magnificent over the top Barrymore in clever and moving story.
3. THE MOUTHPIECE (32, WB) Warren William. Just so Warner Brothers!
4. STATE'S ATTORNEY (32, RKO) John Barrymore. Magnificent Barrymore wasted in silly story.
5. ATTORNEY FOR THE DEFENCE (32, Col) Edmund Lowe. Good story but bland cast and bland direction.
This (the Paramount entry) would rate about the same as THE MOUTHPIECE. Its entertainment value relies entirely on the utter charm of William Powell. Its watchability relies on the absolutely ahead of its time direction of John Cromwell. This is one of those 1930 films which when you're watching you wonder why all films from 1939 weren't made, acted and directed this well...... the answer might be, this was produced by David O Selznick during his stint at Paramount. Even the back projection is slick and barely noticeable in this.
William Powell is the coolest dude in the world in this - he's just so slick. In just a few months since her pitiful debut in GENTLEMEN OF THE PRESS, Kay Francis has become a believable actress. She still stares wistfully into the distance when she says her most dramatic lines but I'd imagine she'd be the sort of girl who'd do that in real life anyway. Her and William Powell make a great team - a teaming which will reach its peak in another couple of years time with the lightweight saucy JEWELL ROBBERY or the romantic tragedy ONE WAY PASSAGE.
Any fan of early thirties movies will love this. It's got everything from tension, romance, comedy but most of all it's got instantly likeable leads.
Just for context, those other similar films (they're similar because they're all loosely based on real-life lawyer, Bill Fallon) are, in my order of preference: -
1. LAWYER MAN (32, WB) William Powell. Also starring Joan Blondell so obviously the best.... Powell is also so cool in this.
2. COUNCELLOR AT LAW (32, Uni) John Barrymore . Magnificent over the top Barrymore in clever and moving story.
3. THE MOUTHPIECE (32, WB) Warren William. Just so Warner Brothers!
4. STATE'S ATTORNEY (32, RKO) John Barrymore. Magnificent Barrymore wasted in silly story.
5. ATTORNEY FOR THE DEFENCE (32, Col) Edmund Lowe. Good story but bland cast and bland direction.
This (the Paramount entry) would rate about the same as THE MOUTHPIECE. Its entertainment value relies entirely on the utter charm of William Powell. Its watchability relies on the absolutely ahead of its time direction of John Cromwell. This is one of those 1930 films which when you're watching you wonder why all films from 1939 weren't made, acted and directed this well...... the answer might be, this was produced by David O Selznick during his stint at Paramount. Even the back projection is slick and barely noticeable in this.
William Powell is the coolest dude in the world in this - he's just so slick. In just a few months since her pitiful debut in GENTLEMEN OF THE PRESS, Kay Francis has become a believable actress. She still stares wistfully into the distance when she says her most dramatic lines but I'd imagine she'd be the sort of girl who'd do that in real life anyway. Her and William Powell make a great team - a teaming which will reach its peak in another couple of years time with the lightweight saucy JEWELL ROBBERY or the romantic tragedy ONE WAY PASSAGE.
Any fan of early thirties movies will love this. It's got everything from tension, romance, comedy but most of all it's got instantly likeable leads.