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.
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.