dougdoepke
It's a Powell showcase as he transitions from obscure gentlemanly lawyer to high-powered legal-eagle. Corruption is rife in Adam's (Powell) big city. After crossing head racketeer Gilmurry (Landau), Adam loses his standing in a respectable legal firm. So he decides to play the game their crooked way, and does so with maximo success, using people for his own ends. Only his intensely loyal and lovelorn secretary (Blondell) sticks with his ruthless climb.There's not much patented Powell charm here. Instead, he moves abruptly from quiet reserve to ruthless assertion, becoming a not very likable character in the process. Surprisingly for Warner Bros. and a gangster theme, there's no machine gun splatter or snarling thugs. Instead of city streets, criminal conduct here is more civilized, taking place in office suites and judicial chambers. Still, the shenanigans can't be taken too seriously since comedy relief pops in and out. The movie's real suspense lies in wondering how Adam's turnaround will end. In short, what sort of reckoning will there be. Can't say I was happy with the resolution that unfortunately retreats from 30's pre-Code toughness. It's like the Code is already in effect. All in all, the movie's not very memorable despite presence of two of the studio's leading performers—maybe because they're playing somewhat outside their strong suits.
vincentlynch-moonoi
I have mixed feelings about this film.On the negative side, it seems to wander around for a very long time before we get any idea of where it's heading.On the positive side -- William Powell. There are a few actors (Jack Nicholson and Clark Gable are examples) who are interesting to watch...even in bad movies...although this is not a bad movie (it's not great, but better than the typical film in 1932). William Powell is another of those actors. Someone truly special. And it's interesting to watch him here. Another thing interesting here are the scenes of New York City...real scenes...not staged.One thing to watch for, sort of early in the film, is what he does with his cigar when he meets a lovely lady. Definitely pre-code! However, there is also a sense that in today's standards, Powell's character would be considered uncouth in the way he looks at women.Another thing notable about this film -- particularly if you are familiar with traditional pop -- is the score. Quite a few familiar tunes throughout the film.Joan Blondell is quite good as Powell's sdcretary...who is clearly also in love with him...and wins him in the end. David Landau is fine as one of the crooked bosses, albeit one with a heart.The question really is -- does this film truly make sense. The ways things go back and forth between good and evil and Landau being sorta good and sorta bad...well, I'm not quite sure it all makes sense...but it is fun!
MartinHafer
This is a pretty good little picture from Warner Brothers. However, it's a good bit better than it should have been thanks to another solid and thoroughly enjoyable performance by William Powell.The film begins with Powell playing Tony Adam--an attorney who works in the poorer section of New York with the common folk. However, he's very ambitious and have visions of power and fame--and this seems reasonable as he's a very, very good lawyer. However, he gets on the wrong side of the wrong guy and soon his career is on the skids. When Tony is eventually able to rebuild his practice and is actually hired as the Assistant District Attorney, he's ready for a bit of justice--and revenge. But can he buck the same political party that appointed him? And what of the hoods that no doubt work for these folks? And, on the personal side, what about his long-suffering secretary who is head-over-heels for him (Joan Blondell)? In addition to Powell, Blondell is quite good. However, the highlights of the film involved Powell's interactions with two thugs, Allan Jenkins and Jack La Rue--and you just have to see these portions of the film to see what I mean. Enjoyable and well worth seeing.
blanche-2
That song, mentioned above, played throughout the film. William Powell is "Lawyer Man" in this 1932 film also starring Joan Blondell, Allen Jenkins, Helen Vinson, and Claire Dodd.Powell plays Anton "Tony" Adam, a lower east side attorney with a small practice. He comes to the notice of a higher-priced attorney who invites him to become a partner. His secretary (Joan Blondell) of course goes with him. But Adam runs into trouble almost immediately when he takes a breach of promise case. The case is merely a setup by the corrupt political machine to frame him. Adam is thrown out of the partnership. On the face of it, he decides that if he can't beat 'em, join 'em. Actually, he has something else in mind.Powell is very good, but he's too uptown to be a lower east side lawyer. The role was more suited for other contract players, such as Jimmy Cagney or Humphrey Bogart. Blondell is great as a secretary who's smarter than her boss, in love with him, and can see his mistakes before he even makes them.William Powell is worth seeing in anything, even something he's not quite right for, and Joan Blondell is always a delight. This was probably a B film as it's pretty short.
AD
