This week’s mystery movie was the 1932 Warner Bros. film “Lawyer Man” with William Powell, Joan Blondell, David Landau, Helen Vinson, Claire Dodd, Alan Dinehart and Allen Jenkins. Screenplay by Rian James and James Seymour, based on the novel “Lawyer Man” by Max Trell, edited by Thomas Pratt, art direction by Esdras Hartley, photography by Robert Kurrle, gowns by Orry-Kelly, associate director Stanley Logan, Vitaphone Orchestra directed by Leo F. Forbstein.
Directed by William Dieterle.
“Lawyer Man” is available from Warner Archive in the “Forbidden Hollywood Collection” Volume 4.
Writing in the New York Times (Dec. 27, 1932), Mordaunt Hall said:
The latest picture to turn the light on the activities of a keen-witted member of the bar is “Lawyer Man,” which is now at the Hollywood. Sometimes this feature recalls turns in “The Mouthpiece,” but the current offering is none the less quite entertaining. William Powell does well as Anton Adam, who achieves a certain distinction through officiating as a lawyer for ghetto clients, and Joan Blondell gives a smart portrayal as Olga, Adam’s most efficient secretary.
If “The Mouthpiece” sounds familiar, that’s because it was a mystery movie last year, along with its remakes “The Man Who Talked Too Much” and “Illegal.”
By popular request, here’s Max Davidson in his brief screen appearance with William Powell in “Lawyer Man.”
For Monday, we have a mystery woman. She is flirting with the non-mysterious leading man, who will appear Friday.
Update: This is Renee Whitney.
For Tuesday, we have another mystery woman.
Update: This is Claire Dodd.
Brain Trust roll call: Mark A. Vieira, who said he recognized Monday’s mystery woman because she appears in his forthcoming book “Forbidden Hollywood,” coming out April 2. Congrats, Mark. We look forward to seeing your latest book!
For Wednesday, we have this stylish gent.
Update: This is Sam Godfrey.
Brain Trust roll call: Howard Mandelbaum (mystery movie, Monday’s flirty mystery woman and Tuesday’s mystery woman).
For Thursday, we have this mystery chap….
Update: This is Rockliffe Fellowes.
… plus this non-mysterious gent and his poor mother….
Update: This is Allen Jenkins and Ann Brody.
… and finally.
Update: This is Helen Vinson and Alan Dinehart.
Brain Trust roll call: Howard Mandelbaum (Wednesday’s mystery gent).
And for Friday….
And Joan and Bill.
Brain Trust roll call: Mary Mallory (mystery movie and Monday’s, Tuesday’s and Thursday’s mystery guests), Chrisbo (Thursday’s mystery gent No. 2), Sheila (Thursday’s mystery guests), Howard Mandelbaum (Thursday’s mystery guests), Mike Hawks (mystery movie and Monday’s and Thursday’s mystery guests) and Thom and Megan (mystery movie and Thursday’s mystery guests No. 2-4).
Renee Whitney. Guess why I know that. My new book Forbidden Hollywood will be published April 2. She’s in many, many pre-Code films.
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Closest I can come to The Mystery Lady is Trudy Marshall. However, I’m not 100% sure.
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Sadly, I’m afraid not.
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Just for the heck of it, I’m going to guess Aileen Pringle for Monday, because of the long-ish face and the cloche hat.
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An interesting guess, but Aileen is probably not a person of the Monday persuasion.
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Mae Clarke.
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Interesting guess! But alas I’m afraid not.
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Virginia Dabney and SCARFACE.
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Oh a very good guess! But alas, I’m afraid not.
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Not sure of the movie, but I’m thinking this could be Mae Clarke . . .
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ARRGH! Didn’t see Suzanne’s guess before I posted. I’ll keep working on it . . .
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Yes, she beat you to it.
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Joan Lawes and UP THE RIVER.
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Good guess, but alas, I’m afraid not.
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Monday: Kay Strozzi in EX-LADY (1933)
Tuesday: Claire Dodd
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Monday: Renee Whitney in LAWYER MAN (1932)
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TWENTY MILLION SWEETHEARTS. Victoria Vinton Monday, Adele Lacey Tuesday, and Johnny Arthur Wednesday. Dick Powell as our hidden mystery man on Monday.
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An excellent guess. Right studio, but slightly too late.
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Sam Godfrey.
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Vaughn Taylor
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Alas, I’m afraid not.
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LAWYER MAN. Dorothy Christy Monday, Claire Dodd Tuesday, Rockcliffe Fellows, Allen Jenkins, Ann Brody, Alan Dinehart, and Helen Vinson Thursday.
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Renee Whitney Monday.
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Looks like Allen Jenkins and Frank McHugh on Thursday. The Irish in Us?
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Allen Jenkins, Alan Dinehart, Ann Brody and Helen Vinson for Thursday.
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Rockliffe Fellowes; Allen Jenkins, Ann Brady, Helen Vinson, Alan Dinehart.
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Renee Whitney for monday and Rockliffe Fellowes, Allen Jenkins, Ann Brody, Helen Vinson, Alan Dinehart. LAWYER MAN
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Our mystery movie is Lawyer Man with Allen Jenkins in the second picture for Thursday, and Helen Vinson and Alan Dinehart in the last picture.
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Joan Blondell and William Powell.
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Frederick Burton Wednesday? Wish you could have gotten Max Davidson in there.
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Joan Blondell, William Powell.
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Joan and Bill at long last.
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Joan Blondell and William Powell on Fri. Lawyer Man from 1932
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1932 “Lawyer Man” … Excuse me I’ve been traveling
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