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Storyline
Barry Brandon, a criminal lawyer, visits the night club of Denny Larkin, his primary client, with Betty Walker, a spoiled society girl. The police raid the club and Brandon pleads that the whole group is guilty, just to get even with Larkin for a rebuke. On the same night in court, Madge Carter is on trial for disorderly conduct, and Brandon volunteers to defend her, and proves the case against her if a frame-up. Finding that she is penniless, Brandon hires her as his secretary, and falls in love with her. Brandon is appointed district attorney and has ambitions of becoming the state governor. Having dinner at Betty's home, she maneuvers him, while he is drunk, into marrying her. Later, Madge is a witness when Larkin shoots down a fellow gangster. By threatening Brandon's life, he forces her to commit perjury at his trial, and say he fired in self-defense. Brandon, the prosecuting attorney (who has had his marriage to Betty annulled) knows she is lying but doesn't know why. Written by
Les Adams {longhorn1939@suddenlink.net}
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Taglines:
Sacrificing His Own Ambition to Be Governor For a Woman's Love. (original poster)
Certificate:
Approved
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Did You Know?
Connections
Remake of
State's Attorney (1932)
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Soundtracks
"Tonight, Lover, Tonight"
(1937)
Music by
Jack Stern
Lyrics by
Harry Tobias
Played on piano and sung by
Erik Rhodes (uncredited) at the party
Reprised a cappella by him later
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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!!!