The Law in Her Hands (1936)

Novice attorneys Mary and 'Dot' open their own practice, confident that their futures looks bright. But after months of rising debt and falling income, Mary stumbles into the employ of ... See full summary »

Director:

William Clemens

Writers:

George Bricker (screenplay), Luci Ward (screenplay),

Stars:

Margaret Lindsay, Glenda Farrell, Warren Hull

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Margaret Lindsay	...	Mary Wentworth
Glenda Farrell	...	Dorothy 'Dot' Davis
Warren Hull	...	Asst. Dist. Atty. Robert Mitchell
Lyle Talbot	...	Frank 'Legs' Gordon
Eddie Acuff	...	Eddie O'Malley
Dick Purcell	...	Marty
Al Shean	...	Franz
Addison Richards	...	William McGuire
Joseph Crehan	...	Dist. Atty. Thomas Mallon
Matty Fain	...	Augie Simelli (henchman #1)
Milton Kibbee	...	Herman Sturm (as Milt Kibbee)
Eddie Shubert	...	Harry Morton

Storyline

Novice attorneys Mary and 'Dot' open their own practice, confident that their futures looks bright. But after months of rising debt and falling income, Mary stumbles into the employ of racketeer Frank Gordon. Financial worries behind them, Mary and 'Dot' start representing the dregs of Morgan's society. But will Mary's conscience--not to mention the intervention of her D.A. boyfriend--allow her to continue?

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Plot Keywords:

murder | ethics | courtroom | racketeering | new york | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 May 1936 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

First National Pictures, Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

58 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"I'd Rather Listen to Your Eyes"
(uncredited)
Music by Harry Warren
Played during the opening photo credits
Also played when Bob proposes to Mary
Also played when Frank Gordon and Bob are at Mary's apartment, and at the end

User Reviews

Good Actors Struggling With Indifferent Script

A talented set of actors, including Glenda Farrell in her hard-boiled, tough-talking mode, work hard in this Warner's B about a pair of young woman lawyers starting out, fighting for work and -- in Margaret Lindsay's case -- the amatory advances of Warren Hull comes off as pretty much of a programmer. Sidney Hickox' camera work is up to Warner Brothers fast-moving, underlit standard, but none of the actors, with the exception of the always engaging Miss Farrell, and Al Shean in a small role at the beginning of the movie as a restaurateur resisting some mobsters in the protection racket, manage any real oomph in their roles -- even Linsday and Talbot seem a bit stagy. Debit perennial B director Clemens for the failure.

THE LAW IN HER HANDS has the makings of a decent Warners B and the courtroom vignettes are amusing, but it's been done too many times and by people more interested in the work.