Although almost forgotten today, "State's Attorney" was highly praised at the time. It was one of the six Box Office Champions of the month, along with "Grand Hotel", "Letty Lynton", "The Rich Are Always With Us", "Scarface" and "The Miracle Man". John Barrymore was highly praised for his acting and Helen Twelvetrees was kindly reviewed as well. Gene Fowler, a good friend of Barrymores' and also the author of "Good Night, Sweet Prince" was the screen writer. Helen Twelvetrees, who in this film never looked more beautiful, after a hopeful career start at Pathe, soon became mired in "sin pictures". Even though, in this film she begins as just another sinner, her character has an added dimension and she is playing opposite John Barrymore, one of the greatest actors of all time.
Lawyer for the Mob, Tom Cardigan (John Barrymore) is asked to go to night court (for $5,000) to help a girl who has been arrested for "tapping" on Vanny Powers (William "Stage" Boyd) window. After some pretty fancy "grandstanding' by Cardigan, the girl, June Perry (Helen Twelvetrees) is let off. Within moments of entering his apartment - June feels enough at home to ask "what do you want for breakfast".
"You'd better take courage (gun) out of your (hip) pocket before you blow your brains out" - Cardigan to Powers. June goes from being a tough little cookie to being concerned and wifely. When Powers is shot, June tries to persuade Cardigan to aim higher and go "legit" - not to defend Powers or his cronies. Cardigan becomes District Attorney and is being groomed for Governor. As District Attorney he is called on to prosecute Nora Dean (Mary Duncan), who is on trial for murder and he also catches the eyes of the Governor's daughter, Lillian (a lisping Jill Esmond, who, at the time, was married to Laurence Olivier). June is disgusted that Tom could send a woman to the Gallows, but Lillian is eager to experience life in the fast lane - she wants to go to the wrestling, see a girl hang and marry Cardigan, which she does when both of them are in a drunken stupor. Too soon, he realises what an idiot he's been - he should have married June, but she says she will always be there waiting for him. "My wife is untouched - and as far as I'm concerned she always will be"!!!
It takes a murder and death treats for Tom to realise that the Governor's job is not for him and he would rather be with his own kind - the down and outs.
Among the rest of the cast is the always excellent William "Stage" Boyd. Leon Ames, who was such an excellent supporting actor in later years, had a small scene as a night court lawyer. Albert Conti who was very good as Marion Davies' "Latin Lover" in "Show People", played Lillian's persistent suitor.
Highly Recommended.
Lawyer for the Mob, Tom Cardigan (John Barrymore) is asked to go to night court (for $5,000) to help a girl who has been arrested for "tapping" on Vanny Powers (William "Stage" Boyd) window. After some pretty fancy "grandstanding' by Cardigan, the girl, June Perry (Helen Twelvetrees) is let off. Within moments of entering his apartment - June feels enough at home to ask "what do you want for breakfast".
"You'd better take courage (gun) out of your (hip) pocket before you blow your brains out" - Cardigan to Powers. June goes from being a tough little cookie to being concerned and wifely. When Powers is shot, June tries to persuade Cardigan to aim higher and go "legit" - not to defend Powers or his cronies. Cardigan becomes District Attorney and is being groomed for Governor. As District Attorney he is called on to prosecute Nora Dean (Mary Duncan), who is on trial for murder and he also catches the eyes of the Governor's daughter, Lillian (a lisping Jill Esmond, who, at the time, was married to Laurence Olivier). June is disgusted that Tom could send a woman to the Gallows, but Lillian is eager to experience life in the fast lane - she wants to go to the wrestling, see a girl hang and marry Cardigan, which she does when both of them are in a drunken stupor. Too soon, he realises what an idiot he's been - he should have married June, but she says she will always be there waiting for him. "My wife is untouched - and as far as I'm concerned she always will be"!!!
It takes a murder and death treats for Tom to realise that the Governor's job is not for him and he would rather be with his own kind - the down and outs.
Among the rest of the cast is the always excellent William "Stage" Boyd. Leon Ames, who was such an excellent supporting actor in later years, had a small scene as a night court lawyer. Albert Conti who was very good as Marion Davies' "Latin Lover" in "Show People", played Lillian's persistent suitor.
Highly Recommended.