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Counsellor at Law Overview:

Counsellor at Law (1933) was a Drama - Black-and-white Film directed by William Wyler and produced by Carl Laemmle Jr..

SYNOPSIS

A riveting drama featuring a fine performance from The Great Profile, sure-footed direction and pacing from Wyler, who adds to the intensity by confining most of the action to the arena of the law office, and fine ensemble support work. Barrymore plays a successful lawyer of Jewish ancestry, and a complex man, at the center of a professional and personal maelstrom that includes a bewildering array of clients, a cheating wife, and a loving secretary.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

Counsellor at Law BlogHub Articles:

COUNSELLOR AT LAW On Blu-ray From Kino

By Dan Day, Jr. on Apr 4, 2023 From The Hitless Wonder Movie Blog

I had never seen this film before, and not only was I impressed with it, I believe it's one of the best Pre-Code movies ever made. COUNSELLOR AT LAW contains one of John Barrymore's greatest screen performances, and it also gave a young William Wyler a chance to show off plenty of directorial flair.... Read full article

Counsellor at Law (1933)

By smumcountry on Mar 22, 2015 From Smum County

March 22, 2015 by smumcounty I really like John Barrymore, that resonant vibrato, that great profile (the great profile), that thick shock of hair. But I had heard much about his stage performances and his roles in silent films where he was considered by some to be the pre-eminent actor of his time ... Read full article

Counsellor at Law (1933)

By smumcountry on Mar 22, 2015 From Smum County

March 22, 2015 by smumcounty I really like John Barrymore, that resonant vibrato, that great profile (the great profile), that thick shock of hair. But I had heard much about his stage performances and his roles in silent films where he was considered by some to be the pre-eminent actor of his time ... Read full article

The William Wyler Blogathon: Counsellor at Law (1933)

By shadowsandsatin on Jun 27, 2012 From Shadows and Satin

I’ve seen John Barrymore in quite a few films: Svengali, which I remember watching at a young age on a Sunday afternoon; one of my favorite comedies, Twentieth Century; those star-packed MGM offerings, Dinner at Eight and Grand Hotel; A Bill of Divorcement, notable as Katharine Hepburn’s first f... Read full article

Counsellor at Law (William Wyler, 1933)

By Judy on May 22, 2011 From Movie Classics

Back to the pre-Code period – and back to John Barrymore. I’ve already written about one fine, though little-known, film where he plays a lawyer, State’s Attorney (1932). The following year he starred in this even better legal drama, which must be one of his finest talkies, and is... Read full article

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Counsellor at Law Quotes:

Bessie Green: Who's calling, please? Mr. McKey? K as in kitty?
Bessie Green: [answering a call] I thought you were dead and buried. Well sure I missed you, like Booth missed Lincoln. What do you think I've been doing, sitting around the house embroidering doilies?
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Counsellor at Law Facts
Although Victor Adams was cast in the role of David Adams and that character is mentioned in the movie, his scenes were cut from the film before release.
Paul Muni was the first choice for the lead, but refused to play a Jewish role.
The play opened on Broadway in New York City, New York, USA on 6 November 1931 and closed in July 1932 after 232 performances. Many of the cast originated their movie roles in the play: John Hammond Dailey, Malka Kornstein, Marvin Kline, T.H. Manning, John Qualen, Angela Jacobs, Elmer Brown and Conway Washburne. Also in the opening night cast was Paul Muni (who turned down his role of George Simon for the movie) and Ned Glass. Vincent Sherman was in a Chicago production of the play.
Although this film is frank about some matters, the Production Code of the Hays Office - i.e., censorship - was still in effect. In one 16mm print there is a curious moment of dead air at the end of Lillian Larue's parting speech to George Simon. She says (approximately), "Well, for God's sake, what do they expect for fifteen thousand dollars?" John Barrymore keeps looking at Larue (Thelma Todd as if she is still speaking, and she must be, but there is no sound. Her last words in the text of the play are, "A virgin?"
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