Lawyer Man (1932)

Terrible acting, screenplay and direction.

Let's be realistic.

It isn't all that great, actually. Really cheesy and very predicable of how certain scenes are gonna turn play out. However, I guess that's the charm of it all, because I would consider this one of my guilty pleasures.

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

The dashing William Powell was hot in 1932, and with this as well as two classic romantic teamings with Kay Francis, all was right at Warner Brothers for him. It's a shame that his roles seemed to be more of the Warren William variety than what he would find later on at MGM, and what seemed promising for him at the start ended up being only a very short stay at the Hollywood studio known for making some of the grittiest films in the business.Like movie lawyers of the time, he's a sharp cookie who gets a bad reputation for winning practically every case, so his enemies all gather around him to tear him down. Secretary Joan Blondell is there by his side every step of the way, obviously so in love with him to the point where she basically mothers him. Dinner partner Sterling Holloway reminds her of how he warned her about falling in love with the boss, but that doesn't stop Ms. Blondell from being jealous of practically every female client who comes in. His enemies utilize a beautiful actress to destroy him in a false breach of promise suit, and before long, Powell is persona non gratta. He's found drunk in a bar, but before long, he's back on his feet again, obviously having more than just luck and the talent of fighting a good argument. Has he really learned anything? Probably not! Even if the story really isn't so hot or truly believable, this is Warner Brothers precode at its raunchiest, filled with witty lines and an excellent script. So having style over substance in this case does make it better, as does the presence of a fabulous array of Warner Brothers' best talents. Helen Vinson and Claire Dodd add gritty beauty to the proceedings, while Blondell's eye-popping close-ups make her unforgettable. This year alone, she had ten films out, and as a result, was considered one of the hardest working actresses in Hollywood. She doesn't have her usual share of wisecracks, but she's still excellent. David Landau is also a memorable villain. While this is far from the champagne that Powell would find in his MGM roles, it ain't quite Schlitz, either.

William Powell plays an ambitious bush league lawyer who goes to work for a high-class law firm, taking along his trusted secretary Joan Blondell. It isn't long before Powell's clashing with a corrupt political boss and getting involved with the wrong women. When things come crashing down for him, Powell vows to become successful no matter what tactics he has to use.Enjoyable Pre-Coder from Warner Bros with nice work from Powell and the always dynamite Joan Blondell. She's great here, throwing in one snappy rejoinder after another. Kinda hard to believe anybody would look twice at another woman if they had sexy young Blondell as an option, but perhaps that's more my personal taste. The supporting cast is nice. The script is fun, though nothing groundbreaking. It's all pretty simple and familiar stuff but well-done and entertaining.

Lawyer Man (1932) *** (out of 4) Nice little "B" movie from Warner about lawyer Anton Adam (William Powell) who moves up the ladder once he shows he's not afraid to take on a crooked political man (David Landau). At first Adam is riding high but he's double-crossed by an actress (Claire Dodd) secretly working for the political man and soon he loses everything but he's got one shot at redemption. LAWYER MAN isn't anything ground-breaking and you're certainly not going to spot it on any lists of the greatest films ever made but if you're a fan of the cast then there's quite a bit here to enjoy. I think the best thing going for the picture is the performance by Powell who once again comes off very believable in the part. He certainly comes across smart enough to where you can believe he's this intelligent lawyer but he also got a certain charm that makes you like him and there's just a dignity that the actor brings to the role. He's surrounding with a great supporting cast including Joan Blondell who plays his secretary who also has a crush on him. Landau nearly walks away with the film as only he can. That certain toughness that he brings the character but he isn't tough in the same way Cagney or Bogart was. Instead, he's more laid back and quiet about the whole thing. Dodd is nice and sexy in her few scenes in the picture and Allen Jenkins is his usual fun self playing a tough guy. The screenplay itself really doesn't offer us anything we haven't seen before but I think it builds up a nice character with the main lawyer. There's a certain integrity that the character turns out to have and this here really makes it all the more fun to see the events play out.

Tony (William Powell) is a lawyer of the people with an eye for the ladies. Olga (Joan Blondell) is his secretary and conscience. Granville Bentley (Allan Dinehart), a corporation lawyer, sees him in action and offers him a partnership. Babs (Helen Vinson) Granville's sister is also interested. Gilmurry the D.A. (David Landau) wants Tony to come into his organization as well.Ginny (Claire Dodd) needs help - "that's what happens when a smart lawyer gets mixed up with a dumb blonde" - she has love letters from a certain doctor - she wants to bring a breach of promise suit against him or at least sue him for thousands of dollars or does she???? Of course she calls on Tony and plays him for a sap. Bentley, meanwhile urges him to leave it alone and dissolves the partnership, Babs refuses to see him and Gilmurry thinks he's a "washout". He is determined to prove them wrong - he is going to play "dirty" - no job will be too demeaning. "a small time mouse planning to be a big time rat"!!!An elderly man comes to see him - he has a case against Gilmurry but no lawyer will take it. Tony does and wins a settlement out of court. Gilmurry is impressed and makes him Assistant District Attorney. Tony then gets some information on the doctor - he has been defrauding the city. The end of the movie sees Tony going back to where he started - to the little people that need his help.Helen Vinson was on hand as Babs Bentley, the sister of corporation lawyer Granville Bentley. She was always at her best in brittle, society "bad girl" roles - occasionally she would play a warm hearted "good girl" like Helen in "I Was a Fugitive From a Chain Gang" and proved she could handle these roles easily as well.Claire Dodd, in my opinion, was the most memorable bad girl of the 30s. She started out as a showgirl in films such as "Our Blushing Brides" (1930) and "Whoopee" (1930). For me her two stand out films are "Footlight Parade" (1933) where she plays Joan Blondell's old "friend" and "Roberta" (1934) as Randolph Scott's snooty fiancée. Both films have some classic one liners. In "Lawyer Man" she plays Ginny. Sterling Holloway also has a small scene as Olga's bar buddy who tells her exactly how things are. Allen Jenkins and Jack La Rue play two of Gilmurry's henchman who can be bribed with cream cake!!!!The music is nice too, including hits of the day - "Say It Isn't So", "I Guess I'll Have to Change My Plans", "If I Could Be With You" and "You've Got That Thing".Recommended.