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  • Counsel for Crime (1937)
  • Approved
    61 min | Crime, Drama, Romance
Counsel for Crime (1937)
Approved
61 min | Crime, Drama, Romance

Law school graduate Paul Maddox, adopted son of Senator Robert Maddox, accepts an offer to join the law firm of William "Bill" Mellon, brilliant but unscrupulous criminal attorney. Mrs. Maddox is actually Paul's real mother, although ...See moreLaw school graduate Paul Maddox, adopted son of Senator Robert Maddox, accepts an offer to join the law firm of William "Bill" Mellon, brilliant but unscrupulous criminal attorney. Mrs. Maddox is actually Paul's real mother, although neither the Senator nor Paul know it, and Bill Mellon is his father. Yes, it is one of "those" plots. Paul is at first critical of Mellon's sharp practices, but he relents when Ann McItyre convinces him it's all within the law, a fact most law school graduates would have learned in law school. Gambler Georgie Evans comes to Mellon and tells him he has just killed Harrison, another underworld character, and insists it was in self defense. Mellon coaches Evans in how to tell his story to the police, then sends him to police headquarters to give himself up, and then assigns Paul to follow up on the case. While Evans and Paul are on separate routes to the police station, Evans stops by Harrison's and kills him under circumstances corresponding with Mellon's fool-proof alibi version already supplied before the act. Truly a good example of why it is best to consult an attorney before committing a rash act. Mellon learns of this post-dated action but, for a large sum of money from Evans, agrees to have his firm represent him and assigns Paul the task. Paul, of course, wins Evans an acquittal. Paul later learns that the killing was committed after Evans had retained Mellon and quits the firm. Paul's moral snit does not extend past the point of allowing his adopted-father's influence getting him appointed Assistant District Attorney. Paul begins a probe against malpractice in the law profession, and Mellon hires Mitchell to dig up scandal on state officials sponsoring the probe. Mitchell does this even better than Mellon anticipated, especially when he comes back with the truth about Paul actually being Mrs. Maddox' own son. When Mitchell refuses to give up the papers with the proof, he and Mellon struggle and Mitchell dies from a shot from his own gun. Mellon is charged with murder and Paul is the prosecutor. Will Paul send his real Pa to jail for life? Written by Les Adams See less
Read more: Plot summary
Director
Writers
Harold Shumate (story) | Fred Niblo Jr. (screenplay) | Grace Neville (screenplay) | Lee Loeb (screenplay) | Harold Buchman (screenplay)
Cinematographer
Editor
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Status
Edit Released
Updated Oct 14, 1937

Release date
Oct 14, 1937 (United States)

Contacts

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Cast

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20 cast members
Name Known for
Otto Kruger
William Mellon William Mellon   See fewer
Douglass Montgomery
Paul Maddox Paul Maddox   See fewer
Julie Bishop
Ann McIntyre (as Jacqueline Wells) Ann McIntyre (as Jacqueline Wells)   See fewer
Thurston Hall
Sen. Maddox Sen. Maddox   See fewer
Nana Bryant
Mrs. Maddox Mrs. Maddox   See fewer
Gene Morgan
Friday Friday   See fewer
Marc Lawrence
Edwin Mitchell Edwin Mitchell   See fewer
Robert Warwick
Asa Stewart Asa Stewart   See fewer
Stanley Fields
George Evans George Evans   See fewer
Michael Breen
Minor Role (uncredited) Minor Role (uncredited)   See fewer
Joe Caits
Hood (uncredited) Hood (uncredited)   See fewer
Harvey Clark
Shyster (uncredited) Shyster (uncredited)   See fewer
Dick Curtis
Hood (uncredited) Hood (uncredited)   See fewer
Harry Depp
Shyster (uncredited) Shyster (uncredited)   See fewer
Dick Elliott
Bundy (uncredited) Bundy (uncredited)   See fewer
Bud Jamison
Jailer (uncredited) Jailer (uncredited)   See fewer
George Lloyd
Jed Sawyer (uncredited) Jed Sawyer (uncredited)   See fewer
George Offerman Jr.
Runner (uncredited) Runner (uncredited)   See fewer
Guy Usher
Judge (uncredited) Judge (uncredited)   See fewer
Lloyd Whitlock
Prosecuting Attorney (uncredited) Prosecuting Attorney (uncredited)   See fewer
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