ShangLuda Admirable film.

Kidskycom It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.

Donald Seymour This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

Gary The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

mark.waltz The dashing William Powell was hot in 1932, and with this as well as two classic romantic teamings with Kay Francis, all was right at Warner Brothers for him. It's a shame that his roles seemed to be more of the Warren William variety than what he would find later on at MGM, and what seemed promising for him at the start ended up being only a very short stay at the Hollywood studio known for making some of the grittiest films in the business.Like movie lawyers of the time, he's a sharp cookie who gets a bad reputation for winning practically every case, so his enemies all gather around him to tear him down. Secretary Joan Blondell is there by his side every step of the way, obviously so in love with him to the point where she basically mothers him. Dinner partner Sterling Holloway reminds her of how he warned her about falling in love with the boss, but that doesn't stop Ms. Blondell from being jealous of practically every female client who comes in. His enemies utilize a beautiful actress to destroy him in a false breach of promise suit, and before long, Powell is persona non gratta. He's found drunk in a bar, but before long, he's back on his feet again, obviously having more than just luck and the talent of fighting a good argument. Has he really learned anything? Probably not! Even if the story really isn't so hot or truly believable, this is Warner Brothers precode at its raunchiest, filled with witty lines and an excellent script. So having style over substance in this case does make it better, as does the presence of a fabulous array of Warner Brothers' best talents. Helen Vinson and Claire Dodd add gritty beauty to the proceedings, while Blondell's eye-popping close-ups make her unforgettable. This year alone, she had ten films out, and as a result, was considered one of the hardest working actresses in Hollywood. She doesn't have her usual share of wisecracks, but she's still excellent. David Landau is also a memorable villain. While this is far from the champagne that Powell would find in his MGM roles, it ain't quite Schlitz, either.

blanche-2 That song, mentioned above, played throughout the film. William Powell is "Lawyer Man" in this 1932 film also starring Joan Blondell, Allen Jenkins, Helen Vinson, and Claire Dodd.Powell plays Anton "Tony" Adam, a lower east side attorney with a small practice. He comes to the notice of a higher-priced attorney who invites him to become a partner. His secretary (Joan Blondell) of course goes with him. But Adam runs into trouble almost immediately when he takes a breach of promise case. The case is merely a setup by the corrupt political machine to frame him. Adam is thrown out of the partnership. On the face of it, he decides that if he can't beat 'em, join 'em. Actually, he has something else in mind.Powell is very good, but he's too uptown to be a lower east side lawyer. The role was more suited for other contract players, such as Jimmy Cagney or Humphrey Bogart. Blondell is great as a secretary who's smarter than her boss, in love with him, and can see his mistakes before he even makes them.William Powell is worth seeing in anything, even something he's not quite right for, and Joan Blondell is always a delight. This was probably a B film as it's pretty short.

bkoganbing Lawyer Man casts William Powell as an attorney with a storefront practice on the Lower East Side of New York where he makes a living of sorts defending indigent or close to indigent clients for meager fees. But he's got talent and white shoe lawyer Alan Dinehart invites him into his firm even though Powell has gotten on the wrong side of political boss David Landau. Helen Vinson who is Dinehart's sister also takes a shine to Powell.But Powell also has actress Claire Dodd doing a number as well on him with a phony breach of promise suit that lands Powell in one big jackpot. Only faithful secretary Joan Blondell stands by him.This to me was obviously a film that was meant for James Cagney and Cagney probably turned it down. Powell was a guy who did belong on the Upper East Side with the white shoe firm, Cagney would have been perfect casting as the fish out of water. Joan Blondell is always good and there's a nice performance by Allen Jenkins as a hood who Powell defends and who later comes through for him in an hour of need.Despite miscasting Lawyer Man is still a decent film though it will never be on the top ten list of films of William Powell.

calvinnme This film moves too fast for introspective angst or art design to be an issue, so if you want that go watch an MGM or Paramount film of the period. Instead the film focuses on rapid fire dialog and keeping the plot moving. What makes this one a cut above most films of the early 30's are the players, in particular the dapper and charming William Powell as East Side lawyer Tony Adam and brassy Joan Blondell as Olga, his secretary who wants things to be more than they are between herself and Tony. Sparks do fly from time to time, and when they do it just doesn't quite work on the romantic level - rather like picturing James Cagney and Myrna Loy as romantic leads in a film.When the film opens Tony is a lawyer with a hole in the wall office on the East Side of New York City. He's defending neighborhood hoods and ripped off struggling businessmen, but he wants more - he wants to be a big shot. He gets what he wants and then some and the film shows his trek through the ups and downs of an uptown practice, his run-ins with the corrupt political boss of the city that can't decide if he wants to hire Tony or rub him out, and the high society ladies who use him and lose him along the way.The final speech by Tony as he makes a crucial career decision will have you going huh?? where did that come from?? as there has been no indication that Tony is learning anything from any of this up to the last two minutes. Still it's enjoyable to see darts flying from Joan Blondell's eyes and William Powell unruffled in the the face of bullets, ballots, or blackmail. I'd recommend this one to anyone who enjoys the precodes, and in particular the fast moving WB precodes.