I just saw this in a local theater retro series of Pre-Code Hollywood films. I always liked Warner Brothers films of this era, be they hard hitting gangster or social dramas or fun musicals. Though there are serious issues touched on here (political corruption in the judicial system) it's handled with a light touch. William Powell is good as the title character Anton 'Tony' Adam and Joan Blondell is bubbly as his secretary/love interest Olga.
Since the movie is a scant 72 minutes, things move along well, but you do get an episodic feel overall. Another 10 minutes could have fleshed out or explained a few plot points. And is it me or were Helen Vinson and Claire Dodd, two gals the skirt chasing Tony tangles with, twins? They kept popping in and out of the plot and it took me a few seconds each times to figure out who was who. Both were blonds, which doesn't help matters.
For the Pre-Code curious there are two comical suggestive bits. One being Tony's case of mistaken identity as he's gam watching. Another, how his cigar reacts to a prospective tryst with Dodd.
Possible Spoiler Alert....
One reviewer mentioned here a lack of chemistry between Powell and Blondell and I lay the blame of director William Dieterle, who did a fine job overall. Olga pines for Tony, warns him of his womanizing but waits hopefully for him to make the first move. One kept waiting for her to storm into his office (as she does often) hop onto his lap and let him know how she feels. She never does.
When last seen, Tony and Olga go back downtown, so Tony can champion the cause of the downtrodden. And they are happily arm in arm. It suggests they are now a couple...but one passionate kiss would have made their relationship clearer.
Since the movie is a scant 72 minutes, things move along well, but you do get an episodic feel overall. Another 10 minutes could have fleshed out or explained a few plot points. And is it me or were Helen Vinson and Claire Dodd, two gals the skirt chasing Tony tangles with, twins? They kept popping in and out of the plot and it took me a few seconds each times to figure out who was who. Both were blonds, which doesn't help matters.
For the Pre-Code curious there are two comical suggestive bits. One being Tony's case of mistaken identity as he's gam watching. Another, how his cigar reacts to a prospective tryst with Dodd.
Possible Spoiler Alert....
One reviewer mentioned here a lack of chemistry between Powell and Blondell and I lay the blame of director William Dieterle, who did a fine job overall. Olga pines for Tony, warns him of his womanizing but waits hopefully for him to make the first move. One kept waiting for her to storm into his office (as she does often) hop onto his lap and let him know how she feels. She never does.
When last seen, Tony and Olga go back downtown, so Tony can champion the cause of the downtrodden. And they are happily arm in arm. It suggests they are now a couple...but one passionate kiss would have made their relationship clearer.