Counsellor At Law (1933)

A high powered attorney (John Barrymore), who has risen from his working class Jewish background, finds himself in a crisis that could possibly ruin both his career and marriage. Based on the play by Elmer Rice and directed by William Wyler. As a stage actor, John Barrymore was a legend but very few of his film roles reflected that talent. This film is one of the few where one can see why he was considered one of the greatest actors of his generation. William Wyler's ability to draw strong performances from his actors (more actors have won Oscars under his direction than any other director) is noted and his hand is evident here. Barrymore was already a raging alcoholic at this stage of his career but you'd never know it from his performance. Although based on a stage play and the entire film is set in a law office, Wyler's driving pace keeps the movie from feeling like a filmed play. The only sour note is Bebe Daniels as Barrymore's clinging in love with her boss secretary. Not her fault, it's the part as written. Two future directors give brief but impressive performances: Vincent Sherman (MR. SKEFFINGTON) as a communist radical and Richard Quine (BELL BOOK AND CANDLE) as Barrymore's spoiled stepson. With Melvyn Douglas, Doris Kenyon, Isabel Jewell, Thelma Todd, John Qualen and Mayo Methot (Humphrey Bogart's third wife).