Storyline

Crackerjack lawyer George Simon is a workaholic, and a successful one, at that. Having just gotten a woman acquited of a murder charge, he is juggling cases ranging from breaking a will to quashing the disorderly conduct charges against the son of a woman he knew in the old neighborhood, before he became a hot shot counsellor. He adores his wife Cora, who feels she married a bit below her station. His step-children think so, too. His secretary Rexy adores him, although he is oblivious to the fact. Threatened with losing his practice due to a discretion in a case seven years earlier, his wife leaves for Europe until the scandal blows over, and he comes to realize (just in time) who his true friends are.—Ron Kerrigan

Plot Keywords

secretary, italian american, infidelity, elevator operator, detective, communist, brother, breaking and entering, blackmail, beating, adultery, courtroom, mother son relationship, new york city, lawyer, jewish, witness, cross examination, jewish american, crooked lawyer

Short Review

Of the current epidemic of lawyer-pictures, "Counsellor-at-Law" is-the best. John Barrymore doesn't fit the part as did Paul Muni, but Elmer Rice's excellent storycraftsmanship carries the picture through.

Trailer

Streaming Service

1. Amazon Video : Rent from $1.99, Or $0.00 with a Prime membership