Criminal Lawyer (1937)

Let's be realistic.

I wanted to but couldn't!

Did you people see the same film I saw?

If you like to be scared, if you like to laugh, and if you like to learn a thing or two at the movies, this absolutely cannot be missed.

If you don't count yourself among Lee Tracy's fans (like I do), I'm not sure you'll get a whole lot out of this remake of John Barrymore's State's Attorney (1932) unless you're looking for a pretty good introduction to the 's work.Directed by Christy Cabanne, with a screenplay by G.V. Atwater & Thomas Lennon that was based on the Louis Stevens story "Gentlemen of New York", this average drama is really just a vehicle for Tracy, whose on-screen persona was perfect for carnival barkers, newspaper reporters, and other outspoken individuals such as the (titled) criminal defense lawyer turned district attorney and would-be politician Barry Brandon, the character he plays in this one. Character actor Eduardo Ciannelli plays a stereotypical gangster, Gene Larkin; Margot Grahame plays Barry's love interest Madge Carter while Betty Lawford plays debutante Betty Walker, who wants Barry for herself so much that she uses her wealthy power broker father (Frank Thomas) to advance his career. Erik Rhodes seems out of place as Tony Bandini, the radio singer whose character is used as a plot device.Barry is a mouthpiece for illegal club owner Larkin; he "springs" whatever hoods the gangster wants him to without regard to their innocence or guilt largely by using tricks which distract juries from considering all the facts by focusing on innocuous ones. John Marston (uncredited) plays the prosecuting attorney he beats in one such case. But Larkin isn't entirely happy with his criminal lawyer, whose sense of humor he doesn't always appreciate. Larkin advises Barry to "switch sides" by taking the Assistant D.A. job offered by Walker and District Attorney Hopkins (William Stack), who wants to run for the Senate, in order to gain an inside track on those who would put him away. Initially, Barry doesn't want the position, but ambition gets the best of him and he warns Larkin that he'll now be "against" him. He's emboldened by the love and assistance he receives from a grateful streetwalker, Madge, that he'd rescued from prosecution in night court by appealing to the judge's (Claire McDowell, uncredited) heartstrings & sense of womanhood. He then employs Madge as his cook, putting her up in a vacant apartment in his building and replacing his language challenged houseboy come bartender Mitzu (Otto Hahn, uncredited).As district attorney, Barry makes a name for himself by successfully convicting Nora James (Lita Chevret, uncredited) of murdering her husband; Charles Lane (also uncredited) plays Nora's unsuccessful defense attorney. When Betty and her father come to congratulate Barry after the trial, Madge realizes she's not in the same league. At the celebration party that night, Betty maneuvers an inebriated Barry into her car, drives him to a justice of the peace, and takes advantage of his drunken state to get him to marry her. Naturally upset, Madge plans to leave town and, late one night, goes to Larkin hoping he'll cash her check. This contrived situation sets up Madge witnessing Larkin (with a gun provided by Brooks Benedict, uncredited) killing his gang's rival leader and sets up Barry as his nemesis in yet another trial. Larkin holds Madge until his trial, threatening that he'll kill Barry if she testifies against him. Barry puts Madge on the stand and, knowing she's perjuring herself, let's her go until Larkin laughs at him. This prompts Barry to have a change of heart, and tactics; he forces Madge to admit that she was only protecting him and then admits that he was guilty of jury rigging while employed by Larkin. Having separated with Betty, and effectively giving her to Tony (who's been escorting her throughout), he indicates to Madge that he's free and clear. He finally finishes his "political career ending" speech (e.g. he "falls on his sword") to convict Larkin; he then leaves arm and arm with Madge.

I have to say I was disappointed to see only criticism of this movie! I only came upon it by chance but this short movie was intriguing to me!I disagree that the plot was "subpar" & thought the acting was adequate & the plot reasonably well constructed! This is after all, over 70 years old!!! How could it hope to compete with multi-million dollar modern productions??? But it presents the evolution of the clever but unprincipled lawyer who switches allegiances without justice! It asks ethical questions ahead of its times!!! Until the lawyer finds in his cleverness, his own demise is imminent!Then swings the attack for a riveting conclusion! It doesn't answer all the questions it prompts!But I don't think that was its purpose! I was impressed by "Criminal Lawyer" & I believe it has aged well! If only I could say that for some who consider themselves wise because they are old in years!!!

An ambitious, dynamic district attorney(Lee Tracy) is called upon to prosecute the mob boss(Eduardo Ciannelli)responsible for his lofty appointment. Most of the courtroom scenes are hard hitting and emotionally draining, other wise the story line is quite hackneyed and obvious. Other cast members of note are:Betty Lawford, Margot Grahame and Frank M. Thomas.Not exactly film-noir and truthfully a subpar crime flick.

What a shame that the great Lee Tracy was toiling in low rent pictures like this when he should've been a big star in his very prime at this stage in his career. There are glimpses of his motor-mouthed talent in the courtroom scenes and there is some electricity in his terse, mutually contemptuous confrontations with tight-lipped mob boss Eduardo Ciannelli, but the script is subpar and the editing (particularly during the climax) is downright dreadful. The film has no grab or soul and Tracy's moral reversal rings terribly false.