Whiskey-soaked criminal defense lawyer John Barrymore (as Tom Cardigan) goes to night court and defends beautiful blonde streetwalker Helen Twelvetrees (as June Perry) as a favor to his racketeering pal William Boyd (as Valentine 'Vanny' Powers). Although he appears to still be a little tipsy, Mr. Barrymore is a smooth operator in the courtroom. He gets Ms. Twelvetrees off and she moves in as, we presume, Barrymore's monogamous mistress. Twelvetrees encourages Barrymore to stop drinking and concentrate on his career. That advice works on different levels. Barrymore decides to go legit and becomes a successful district attorney with an eye on the governor's chair...
This is a witty courtroom drama with Barrymore in fine form. The legendary actor's fondness for alcohol neatly weaves into the story. Barrymore was still able to perform while drinking, although the deterioration would soon become apparent. Rowland Brown and Gene Fowler enliven the script with great lines and moral dilemmas. The characters "Tom" and "June" are allowed an option to live "in sin" because it works for them. Leggy murder suspect Mary Duncan (Nora Dean) overplays feverishly, but she's a lot of fun. Jill Esmond (aka Mrs. Laurence Olivier) is oddly giddy over Barrymore and a younger tenor. Director George Archainbaud flatters his cast and keeps it moving.
****** State's Attorney (5/5/32) George Archainbaud ~ John Barrymore, Helen Twelvetrees, William 'Stage' Boyd, Jill Esmond
This is a witty courtroom drama with Barrymore in fine form. The legendary actor's fondness for alcohol neatly weaves into the story. Barrymore was still able to perform while drinking, although the deterioration would soon become apparent. Rowland Brown and Gene Fowler enliven the script with great lines and moral dilemmas. The characters "Tom" and "June" are allowed an option to live "in sin" because it works for them. Leggy murder suspect Mary Duncan (Nora Dean) overplays feverishly, but she's a lot of fun. Jill Esmond (aka Mrs. Laurence Olivier) is oddly giddy over Barrymore and a younger tenor. Director George Archainbaud flatters his cast and keeps it moving.
****** State's Attorney (5/5/32) George Archainbaud ~ John Barrymore, Helen Twelvetrees, William 'Stage' Boyd, Jill Esmond