Criminal Lawyer
Synopsis
Barry Brandon, a criminal lawyer, visits the night club of Denny Larkin, his primary client, with Betty Walker, a spoiled society girl. The police raid the club and Brandon pleads that the whole group is guilty, just to get even with Larkin for a rebuke. On the same night in court, Madge Carter is on trial for disorderly conduct, and Brandon volunteers to defend her, and proves the case against her if a frame-up. Finding that she is penniless, Brandon hires her as his secretary, and falls in love with her. Brandon is appointed district attorney and has ambitions of becoming the state governor. Having dinner at Betty's home, she maneuvers him, while he is drunk, into marrying her. Later, Madge is a witness when Larkin shoots down a fellow gangster. By threatening Brandon's life, he forces her to commit perjury at his trial, and say he fired in self-defense. Brandon, the prosecuting attorney (who has had his marriage to Betty annulled) knows she is lying but doesn't know why.
Top Cast
Explore Star Directory →
Lee Tracy
Brandon
Margot Grahame
Madge Carter
Eduardo Ciannelli
Gene Larkin
Betty Lawford
Betty Walker
Erik Rhodes
Tony Bandini
Frank M. Thomas
William Walker
Wilfred Lucas
Brandon's Assistant
William Stack
District Attorney Hopkins
Charles Lane
Attorney (uncredited)
Aileen Pringle
Mrs. Manning (uncredited)
Francis McDonald
Jack 'Fingy' Doremus (uncredited)
Lita Chevret
Nora James (uncredited)
Theodore von Eltz
Larkin's Attorney (uncredited)
Cyril Ring
Extra at Larkin's Nightclub (uncredited)
Edward Van Sloan
Bit (uncredited)
William Worthington
Party Guest (uncredited)
Sidney Bracey
Wilson - Walker's Butler (uncredited)
Release History & Theatrical Window
January 29, 1937
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Edward Killy, Christy Cabanne
- Screenplay & Story
- Thomas Lennon, G.V. Atwater
- Original Title
- Criminal Lawyer
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 12m
- Production Studios
- RKO Radio Pictures
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Edward Killy, Christy Cabanne
Thomas Lennon, G.V. Atwater, Louis Stevens
David Abel
Jack Hively
Department Leadership Roster
Edward Killy
Director
Christy Cabanne
Director
Thomas Lennon
Screenplay
Renié
Costume Design
G.V. Atwater
Screenplay
Jack Hively
Editor
David Abel
Director of Photography
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Criminal Lawyer.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Criminal Lawyer.
list4
More Like Criminal Lawyer
Recommended titles matching themes, cast, and genres.
Frequently Asked Questions About Criminal Lawyer
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Criminal Lawyer about?
Barry Brandon, a criminal lawyer, visits the night club of Denny Larkin, his primary client, with Betty Walker, a spoiled society girl. The police raid the club and Brandon pleads that the whole group is guilty, just to get even with Larkin for a rebuke. On the same night in court, Madge Carter is on trial for disorderly conduct, and Brandon volunteers to defend her, and proves the case against her if a frame-up. Finding that she is penniless, Brandon hires her as his secretary, and falls in love with her. Brandon is appointed district attorney and has ambitions of becoming the state governor. Having dinner at Betty's home, she maneuvers him, while he is drunk, into marrying her. Later, Madge is a witness when Larkin shoots down a fellow gangster. By threatening Brandon's life, he forces her to commit perjury at his trial, and say he fired in self-defense. Brandon, the prosecuting attorney (who has had his marriage to Betty annulled) knows she is lying but doesn't know why.
Who directed Criminal Lawyer?
Criminal Lawyer was directed by Edward Killy, Christy Cabanne.
Who stars in Criminal Lawyer?
The principal cast of Criminal Lawyer includes Lee Tracy, Margot Grahame, Eduardo Ciannelli, Betty Lawford, Erik Rhodes.
When was Criminal Lawyer released and how long is it?
Criminal Lawyer was released in 1937 with a total runtime of 1h 12m.