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Counsel for Crime

  • 19371937
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 1m
IMDb RATING
5.4/10
25
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • IMDbPro
Julie Bishop, Otto Kruger, and Douglass Montgomery in Counsel for Crime (1937)
  • Crime
  • Drama
  • Romance
Law school graduate Paul Maddox, adopted son of Senator Robert Maddox, accepts an offer to join the law firm of William "Bill" Mellon, brilliant but unscrupulous criminal attorney. Mrs. Madd... Read allLaw school graduate Paul Maddox, adopted son of Senator Robert Maddox, accepts an offer to join the law firm of William "Bill" Mellon, brilliant but unscrupulous criminal attorney. Mrs. Maddox is actually Paul's real mother, although neither the Senator nor Paul know it, and Bill... Read allLaw school graduate Paul Maddox, adopted son of Senator Robert Maddox, accepts an offer to join the law firm of William "Bill" Mellon, brilliant but unscrupulous criminal attorney. Mrs. Maddox is actually Paul's real mother, although neither the Senator nor Paul know it, and Bill Mellon is his father. Yes, it is one of "those" plots. Paul is at first critical of Mello... Read all
IMDb RATING
5.4/10
25
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • John Brahm
  • Writers
    • Harold Shumate(story)
    • Fred Niblo Jr.(screenplay)
    • Grace Neville(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Otto Kruger
    • Douglass Montgomery
    • Julie Bishop
Top credits
  • Director
    • John Brahm
  • Writers
    • Harold Shumate(story)
    • Fred Niblo Jr.(screenplay)
    • Grace Neville(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Otto Kruger
    • Douglass Montgomery
    • Julie Bishop
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 1User review
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos9

    Julie Bishop in Counsel for Crime (1937)
    Otto Kruger in Counsel for Crime (1937)
    Julie Bishop, Otto Kruger, and Douglass Montgomery in Counsel for Crime (1937)
    Julie Bishop, Otto Kruger, and Douglass Montgomery in Counsel for Crime (1937)
    Julie Bishop, Otto Kruger, and Douglass Montgomery in Counsel for Crime (1937)
    Julie Bishop, Thurston Hall, Otto Kruger, Marc Lawrence, Douglass Montgomery, and Robert Warwick in Counsel for Crime (1937)
    Otto Kruger in Counsel for Crime (1937)
    Counsel for Crime (1937)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Otto Kruger
    Otto Kruger
    • William Mellonas William Mellon
    Douglass Montgomery
    Douglass Montgomery
    • Paul Maddoxas Paul Maddox
    Julie Bishop
    Julie Bishop
    • Ann McIntyreas Ann McIntyre
    Thurston Hall
    Thurston Hall
    • Sen. Maddoxas Sen. Maddox
    Nana Bryant
    Nana Bryant
    • Mrs. Maddoxas Mrs. Maddox
    Gene Morgan
    Gene Morgan
    • Fridayas Friday
    Marc Lawrence
    Marc Lawrence
    • Edwin Mitchellas Edwin Mitchell
    Robert Warwick
    Robert Warwick
    • Asa Stewartas Asa Stewart
    Stanley Fields
    Stanley Fields
    • George Evansas George Evans
    Michael Breen
    • Minor Roleas Minor Role
    • (uncredited)
    Joe Caits
    Joe Caits
    • Hoodas Hood
    • (uncredited)
    Harvey Clark
    Harvey Clark
    • Shysteras Shyster
    • (uncredited)
    Dick Curtis
    Dick Curtis
    • Hoodas Hood
    • (uncredited)
    Harry Depp
    • Shysteras Shyster
    • (uncredited)
    Dick Elliott
    Dick Elliott
    • Bundyas Bundy
    • (uncredited)
    Bud Jamison
    Bud Jamison
    • Jaileras Jailer
    • (uncredited)
    George Lloyd
    George Lloyd
    • Jed Sawyeras Jed Sawyer
    • (uncredited)
    George Offerman Jr.
    George Offerman Jr.
    • Runneras Runner
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • John Brahm
    • Writers
      • Harold Shumate(story)
      • Fred Niblo Jr.(screenplay)
      • Grace Neville(screenplay)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

    Storyline

    Edit
    Law school graduate Paul Maddox, adopted son of Senator Robert Maddox, accepts an offer to join the law firm of William "Bill" Mellon, brilliant but unscrupulous criminal attorney. Mrs. Maddox is actually Paul's real mother, although neither the Senator nor Paul know it, and Bill Mellon is his father. Yes, it is one of "those" plots. Paul is at first critical of Mellon's sharp practices, but he relents when Ann McItyre convinces him it's all within the law, a fact most law school graduates would have learned in law school. Gambler Georgie Evans comes to Mellon and tells him he has just killed Harrison, another underworld character, and insists it was in self defense. Mellon coaches Evans in how to tell his story to the police, then sends him to police headquarters to give himself up, and then assigns Paul to follow up on the case. While Evans and Paul are on separate routes to the police station, Evans stops by Harrison's and kills him under circumstances corresponding with Mellon's fool-proof alibi version already supplied before the act. Truly a good example of why it is best to consult an attorney before committing a rash act. Mellon learns of this post-dated action but, for a large sum of money from Evans, agrees to have his firm represent him and assigns Paul the task. Paul, of course, wins Evans an acquittal. Paul later learns that the killing was committed after Evans had retained Mellon and quits the firm. Paul's moral snit does not extend past the point of allowing his adopted-father's influence getting him appointed Assistant District Attorney. Paul begins a probe against malpractice in the law profession, and Mellon hires Mitchell to dig up scandal on state officials sponsoring the probe. Mitchell does this even better than Mellon anticipated, especially when he comes back with the truth about Paul actually being Mrs. Maddox' own son. When Mitchell refuses to give up the papers with the proof, he and Mellon struggle and Mitchell dies from a shot from his own gun. Mellon is charged with murder and Paul is the prosecutor. Will Paul send his real Pa to jail for life? —Les Adams <longhorn1939@suddenlink.net>
    • mother unknown to son
    • deception
    • low budget film
    • double feature film
    • extortion
    • 60 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • HE SAVED MEN BY THE HUNDRED BUT COULDN'T SAVE HIMSELF! (original poster)
    • Genres
      • Crime
      • Drama
      • Romance
    • Certificate
      • Approved
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    User reviews1

    Review

    Details

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    • Release date
      • October 14, 1937 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Man Behind the Law
    • Production company
      • Columbia Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 1 minute
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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    Julie Bishop, Otto Kruger, and Douglass Montgomery in Counsel for Crime (1937)
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