Lawyer Man (1932)

A lawyer (William Powell) from New York's lower East Side is invited by an established uptown attorney (Alan Dinehart) to become his partner in his law firm. He accepts but soon finds himself mired in unethical situations and corruption. Based on the novel by Max Trell and directed by William Dieterle (DEVIL AND DANIEL WEBSTER). This pre code drama is a predictable hash of cliches. You can guess exactly where it's going. Good hard working lawyer becomes corrupted by ambition and money but eventually realizes the error of his ways and goes back to his roots and goes back to helping the underdog. The End. Yawn! If this movie were done with any kind of style, sincerity or above average acting, there might have been a chance for it. As it is, there's nothing to hold one's attention. I'm a fan of William Powell but his charm can only hold up the film for a little while before it collapses. With Joan Blondell, Helen Vinson, Claire Dodd and Allen Jenkins.