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Counsellor-at-Law

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Counsellor-at-Law

Released Dec 25, 1933

1h 18m

Comedy

Drama

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100%

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13 Reviews

80%

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100+ Ratings

George Simon (John Barrymore) is a successful New York City lawyer who climbed out of a Jewish ghetto to become one of the most respected men in the business. But with a high-class wife (Doris Kenyon) and a reputation to protect, George is secretive about his early life. When the discovery of a misstep from his past threatens his career, and infidelity damages his marriage, Simon's life starts to spiral out of control, with only dedicated secretary Regina (Bebe Daniels) there to keep him afloat.

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

There are many reasons why William Wyler is considered one of the all-time great film directors, and Counsellor at Law shows at least one example why.

Rated: 3.5/4

Apr 30, 2023

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Sarah Boslaugh

TheArtsStl

...restricting the action to the law offices works well on screen because it focuses attention on the fast-paced dialogue and allows the able cast, many of whom also appeared in the Broadway production, to show what they could do.

Rated: 6/10

Mar 31, 2023

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Meyer Levin (Patterson Murphy)

Esquire Magazine

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.

May 5, 2020

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Ann Ross

Maclean's Magazine

Counsellor at Law is brisk and absorbing acting, if rather exhausting...

Jul 23, 2019

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Helen Brown Norden

Vanity Fair

John Barrymore trying to act kosher, but running a poor second to Paul Muni, who played the role on the stage. The film introduces a refreshing proletarian note into Hollywood, however, and is well directed by William Wyler.

Jun 6, 2019

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Fernando F. Croce

CinePassion

A swift, captivating record of '30s theatrical tropes

Aug 5, 2010

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acsdoug D

More of a filmed play than an actual movie. Everything takes place inside a lawyer's office. It's not too bad.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/27/25

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Audience Member

Astounding performance by Barrymore. He magically transformed himself into a street-wise second-generation immigrant raised on the streets of New York. And it was fun watching the assortment of 1930's ethnic New Yorkers created by Elmer Rice, the master of the genre (see Street Scene). Barrymore's marriage was questionable, but everything else flowed along smoothly and enjoyably.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/04/23

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bill t

I mean, if I was taking nominees for movies I don't quite understand, even at the halfway mark, this would get in easily. People are talking a million miles a second, and they're just coming in and out of the fabulous offices of this attorney. I couldn't follow it at all, which saddens me.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Audience Member

imagine my surprise to find a movie I hadn't seen from my fave old Hollywood director and its a precode gem= double happiness!!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

A film which makes great use of its setting, with the action taking place during the course of a day and entirely in the attorney's office which is populated by colourful personages. John Barrymore's pivotal performance as the attorney is a great character study, while the fast paced dialogue makes the story move at an exciting pace.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/24/23

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Audience Member

I adore Barrymore in this film

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

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William Wyler

Director

John Barrymore

George Simon

Bebe Daniels

Regina "Rexy" Gordon

Doris Kenyon

Cora Simon

Isabel Jewell

Bessie Green

Melvyn Douglas

Roy Darwin

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Synopsis

George Simon (John Barrymore) is a successful New York City lawyer who climbed out of a Jewish ghetto to become one of the most respected men in the business. But with a high-class wife (Doris Kenyon) and a reputation to protect, George is secretive about his early life. When the discovery of a misstep from his past threatens his career, and infidelity damages his marriage, Simon's life starts to spiral out of control, with only dedicated secretary Regina (Bebe Daniels) there to keep him afloat.

Director: William Wyler
Producer: Carl Laemmle Jr.
Screenwriter: Elmer Rice
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal Pictures
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 1933, Original
Release Date (DVD): Jun 11, 2007
Runtime: 1h 18m