Counsellor-at-Law

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Counsellor-at-Law

1933

1h 18m

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

100%

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13 Reviews

81%

Popcornmeter

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

Apr 30, 2023

3.5/4

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.

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Sarah Boslaugh

TheArtsStl

Mar 31, 2023

6/10

...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.

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Meyer Levin (Patterson Murphy)

Esquire Magazine

May 5, 2020

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.

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Ann Ross

Maclean's Magazine

Jul 23, 2019

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

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Helen Brown Norden

Vanity Fair

Jun 6, 2019

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.

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Fernando F. Croce

CinePassion

Aug 5, 2010

A swift, captivating record of '30s theatrical tropes

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bruce F

@bruce999 Aug 15, 2026

enjoyable, fast talking, non sense... but fun.

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acsdoug D

@acsdoug Mar 27, 2025

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

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bill t

@Spuzz Oct 10, 2020

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.

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Feb 1, 2015

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

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Nov 18, 2012

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.

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Sep 9, 2012

I adore Barrymore in this film

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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

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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

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