State's Attorney (1932) User Reviews

The Great Profile at his most affecting.

[mark.waltz · 7/10 · 10 August 2012]

One of the most surprising omissions in Oscar history is the lack of a Best Actor nomination for John Barrymore, notorious ham of the late 30's and early 40's who in the early 30's was one of Hollywood's greatest actors. 1932 proved to be his best year, with this film, "Grand Hotel", "A Bill of Divorcement" and "Rasputin and the Empress" (among others). And with such classics as "Dinner at Eight", "Topaze" and "Twentieth Century" coming up, he was entering his best period in the movies. But alcohol and romantic intrigue sent him spiraling down quickly. Fortunately, we have his work from his heyday to enjoy today.

As a New York City defense attorney with enormous popularity who decides to become a District Attorney in order to get his name out there in the political arena for Governor, Barrymore sets up a "lady of ill repute" (Helen Twelvetrees) after helping her out of a solicitation charge (by slipping her a wedding ring!). But to further his career, he marries the sophisticated Jill Esmond instead. His old chum (William Boyd) is a constant thorn in his side, so when Boyd commits murder (with Twelvetrees as a witness), Barrymore is determined to get Boyd the noose.

Subtly portraying this man of mixed and conflicting emotions, Barrymore is understated even with some ridiculous plot elements. Twelvetrees, one of the busiest actresses in movies before the code, wins sympathy not through pathos or feeling sorry for herself, but by being determined to rise above whatever obstacles threaten to tear her down. Other than an overly hammy performance by Mary Duncan as a woman on trial for murder, everybody is excellent. But it is Barrymore and Twelvetrees who shine and make this film a pre-code gem.

A Profile In Courage

[LeonLouisRicci · 7/10 · 17 January 2014]

Made when the Studios were Mostly, well, Studio Bound and Early Talkies were, well, a lot of Talk, this one had the Pleasure of an Actor who could Really Talk. John Barrymore had been doing it ever since Pictures Moved.

Coupled with a Heavy Stage Experience, He became one of the most Respected Actors of His Era. Although Surprisingly never Nominated for an Academy Award (He famously said they were afraid I would show up drunk and embarrass them and myself).

This Film also had the Advantage of a Pre-Code Freedom to Exercise some later to be Forbidden Behavior like Premarital Sex, and other Innuendos. But it is Barrymore's Charisma and Naturalism that Endears this Courtroom and Political Drama, also Helped by a Strong Supporting Cast.

It is Less Ham than usual for 'The Profile" and the Movie has a lot of Long Dialog Scenes that are Fascinating to Watch. This makes for a somewhat Stilted but Compelling Drama that is an Actor's Showcase and Barrymore Effortlessly Delivers.

John Barrymore in a precode

[blanche-2 · 6/10 · 12 June 2015]

I only wish my mother were still alive so I could tell her I saw Helen Twelvetrees in a movie. I can just hear her now. "Helen Twelvetrees!!" That is a name out of the way, way distant past.

Twelvetrees appears in this precode film, "State's Attorney" with John Barrymore.

Barrymore is Tom Cardigan, attorney for the mob. Tom falls for June Perry (Twelvetrees) and she becomes his mistress. She tries to redeem him. Tom's boss, Vanny Powers (Boyd), thinks Cardigan should become District Attorney. There, he can really get the fix in for Powers.

Tom is elected He breaks up with June and takes up with the daughter (Jill Esmond) of a political boss, Ulrich. A big problem arises when Powers is arrested for murder and goes on trial. As far as Tom getting him off, it's going to be tough. June was a witness to the crime.

Over the top courtroom scenes, the style of the day, take a major role in the film. Barrymore had a very modern acting technique - he is always wonderful and never seems overdone unless it's deliberate, like the impresario in "Twentieth Century."

Always love to catch John Barrymore in a film.

As a bit of trivia, Jil Esmond, who plays the political boss' Ulrich's daughter, was a British actress and the first wife of Laurence Olivier.

Interesting PreCode Drama

[Alessa-3 · 17 September 1999]

Barrymore is an attorney with little fixed principles except a taste for women and booze. One night, he defends a prostitute at night court. She comes home with him, and the two live together openly. After becoming a D.A.t hough he leaves her until he suffers a crisis of conscience that comes about in an unusual way, but his resolution is more unusual still.

This is a classic Pre Code drama. The openness and acceptance of an alternative (at that time) lifestyle, and moral ambiguity mark this as a film coming from when America was going through one of its roughest times--the Great Depression--and didn't know how things will work out.

Barrymore's acting is wonderful, and this is one of his best pieces of work in the talkies. This and its unusual theme mark this as an interesting piece for the early film fan.

Barrymore Passes the Bar

[wes-connors · 6/10 · 9 April 2016]

Whiskey-soaked criminal defense lawyer John Barrymore (as Tom Cardigan) goes to night court and defends beautiful blonde streetwalker Helen Twelvetrees (as June Perry) as a favor to his racketeering pal William Boyd (as Valentine 'Vanny' Powers). Although he appears to still be a little tipsy, Mr. Barrymore is a smooth operator in the courtroom. He gets Ms. Twelvetrees off and she moves in as, we presume, Barrymore's monogamous mistress. Twelvetrees encourages Barrymore to stop drinking and concentrate on his career. That advice works on different levels. Barrymore decides to go legit and becomes a successful district attorney with an eye on the governor's chair...

This is a witty courtroom drama with Barrymore in fine form. The legendary actor's fondness for alcohol neatly weaves into the story. Barrymore was still able to perform while drinking, although the deterioration would soon become apparent. Rowland Brown and Gene Fowler enliven the script with great lines and moral dilemmas. The characters "Tom" and "June" are allowed an option to live "in sin" because it works for them. Leggy murder suspect Mary Duncan (Nora Dean) overplays feverishly, but she's a lot of fun. Jill Esmond (aka Mrs. Laurence Olivier) is oddly giddy over Barrymore and a younger tenor. Director George Archainbaud flatters his cast and keeps it moving.

****** State's Attorney (5/5/32) George Archainbaud ~ John Barrymore, Helen Twelvetrees, William 'Stage' Boyd, Jill Esmond

No clergy for Barrymore and Twelvetrees

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 5 April 2016]

Although there was nothing explicitly sexual in the dialog of State'a Attorney this film definitely belongs in the 'Before the Code' category of films. It was only in post World War II America that you could have a hero with all the frailties of John Barrymore and I'm not talking about Barrymore's drinking.

Helen Twelvetrees plays the usual wronged innocent who comes to top flight criminal attorney Barrymore when he's slumming in night court. He takes her case and then takes up with her and she convinces him to go over to the other side and start prosecuting the people he previously defended like top mobster William Boyd. He and Boyd have considerable history going back to when they were kids.

The Code would end heroes like John Barrymore's character. In his quest for power and respectability he dumps Twelvetrees with whom he was living without benefit of clergy and takes up with quirky Jill Esmond who is rich and her old man Oscar Apfel is powerful. The union does not last long, but no movie hero once the Code was in place would either live with a woman without being married to her or dump said woman strictly for his own ambitions.

Early sound Barrymore and he had not given in to dissipation as he would in his last years. It's an old fashioned acting style but still worthy of giving a look to and enjoying. It was a follow up for Jack possibly in response to brother Lionel playing a lawyer and winning an Oscar for a dramatic courtroom climax in A Free Soul. He also has a climatic courtroom scene, and while not as dramatic it was affective indeed for the junior Barrymore brother.

A great mouthpiece on either side of the law

[SimonJack · 6/10 · 13 September 2017]

John Barrymore's character, Tom Cardigan, bounces from bad to good, bad to good throughout "State's Attorney." The RKO story is good, but the film has remnants of production qualities from the silent era. All of the cast are OK, but none much better than that. Barrymore's Cardigan mirrors his own life of heavy drinking. He had been a heavy drinker since his teen years, and by age 50 for this film, he was an alcoholic.

Still able to perform, he would go on to make many more films before dying 10 years later of cirrhosis of the liver and pneumonia. Only a few of those would be top performances.

The life of a real lawyer, William J. Fallon, may have been the inspiration for this story. Fallon was known as the "Great Mouthpice."He was a prominent criminal lawyer who defended many homicide cases that resulted in no convictions. He befriended organized crime boss Arnold Rothstein who was implicated in the Black Sox Scandal. Fallon's lifestyle involved heavy drinking. He was just 41 years old when he died – probably from alcohol and other effects.

Interesting legal drama...

[AlsExGal · 7/10 · 9 April 2023]

... from RKO and director George Archainbaud in which John Barrymore stars as high-powered attorney Tom Cardigan. When he grows weary of defending hoods like his chief client Valentine Powers (William "Stage" Boyd), he accepts an offer to become a state prosecutor.

Barrymore's drinking problems off-screen seem to be bleeding on-screen, as his character spends at least half the film somewhat soused. He's still very good, though, and very sharp in the climactic courtroom scenes. Jill Esmond, best known today for being Laurence Olivier's first wife, doesn't impress much as a flighty lover. Helen Twelvetrees comes across much better as a former streetwalker getting her life straight thanks to Barrymore. I'm not usually too fond of Boyd, but he's better here, or at least his inherent unlikeability comes in handy playing a heel.

A Beautiful Sinner

[kidboots · 9/10 · 9 February 2010]

Although almost forgotten today, "State's Attorney" was highly praised at the time. It was one of the six Box Office Champions of the month, along with "Grand Hotel", "Letty Lynton", "The Rich Are Always With Us", "Scarface" and "The Miracle Man". John Barrymore was highly praised for his acting and Helen Twelvetrees was kindly reviewed as well. Gene Fowler, a good friend of Barrymores' and also the author of "Good Night, Sweet Prince" was the screen writer. Helen Twelvetrees, who in this film never looked more beautiful, after a hopeful career start at Pathe, soon became mired in "sin pictures". Even though, in this film she begins as just another sinner, her character has an added dimension and she is playing opposite John Barrymore, one of the greatest actors of all time.

Lawyer for the Mob, Tom Cardigan (John Barrymore) is asked to go to night court (for $5,000) to help a girl who has been arrested for "tapping" on Vanny Powers (William "Stage" Boyd) window. After some pretty fancy "grandstanding' by Cardigan, the girl, June Perry (Helen Twelvetrees) is let off. Within moments of entering his apartment - June feels enough at home to ask "what do you want for breakfast".

"You'd better take courage (gun) out of your (hip) pocket before you blow your brains out" - Cardigan to Powers. June goes from being a tough little cookie to being concerned and wifely. When Powers is shot, June tries to persuade Cardigan to aim higher and go "legit" - not to defend Powers or his cronies. Cardigan becomes District Attorney and is being groomed for Governor. As District Attorney he is called on to prosecute Nora Dean (Mary Duncan), who is on trial for murder and he also catches the eyes of the Governor's daughter, Lillian (a lisping Jill Esmond, who, at the time, was married to Laurence Olivier). June is disgusted that Tom could send a woman to the Gallows, but Lillian is eager to experience life in the fast lane - she wants to go to the wrestling, see a girl hang and marry Cardigan, which she does when both of them are in a drunken stupor. Too soon, he realises what an idiot he's been - he should have married June, but she says she will always be there waiting for him. "My wife is untouched - and as far as I'm concerned she always will be"!!!

It takes a murder and death treats for Tom to realise that the Governor's job is not for him and he would rather be with his own kind - the down and outs.

Among the rest of the cast is the always excellent William "Stage" Boyd. Leon Ames, who was such an excellent supporting actor in later years, had a small scene as a night court lawyer. Albert Conti who was very good as Marion Davies' "Latin Lover" in "Show People", played Lillian's persistent suitor.

Highly Recommended.

A Late Look at the Great Profile in His Heyday

[richardchatten · 6/10 · 8 March 2019]

The reissue title seems deliberately prophetic, as hot-shot lawyer Barrymore's perpetual drunkenness is obvious throughout this late star vehicle for Barrymore, who throughout usually has his left profile to the camera while his perpetually moving eyes and eyebrows reveal that he's not taking his outrageous antics in Court entirely seriously.

As usual the law is portrayed cynically, and along with the opulent bachelor pad he shares with Helen Twelvetress heightens the pre-Code amorality of the piece.

Defines the word 'Average'

[1930s_Time_Machine · 4/10 · 10 January 2023]

This provides a perfect role for John Barrymore allowing him to over-act to his heart's content with total justification and indeed believability since he's playing a one of those very theatrical lawyers who only exist in the movies. His job is to perform, his stage is the courthouse and his audience is the jury, and they love him. Behind all the bluster and bravado however lies a man discontent with how his life has turned out so he's slowly drowning himself from the inside in whiskey. As with a lot of John Barrymore's roles, the role reflects the reality of his own life which by this stage had begun its alcohol fuelled trajectory to its untimely crash landing.

Although it's fun to see the master at work, it's not a gripping film. The rest of the cast are instantly forgettable and the plot, which could have been written up over drinks in the bar on the way to the studio, is so predictable and routine you could set your watch by it - the plot however is not what the film is. It's a character study of a complicated man and how he has to change to cope with his complicated life. A couple of years later he made another very similar film (directed by William Wyler) in which he again played a lawyer, again having to change his ways: COUNCILLOR AT LAW. That motion picture is nothing too special and from some accounts because Mr B was so drunk at times, he required propping up but he is spectacularly good in that one and the story is much more interesting than in this.

A Must For Barrymore Fans

[januszlvii · 10/10 · 15 August 2020]

State's Attorney is a movie that I have wanted to see for a long time and I was not disappointed. It is about a less then reputable alcoholic lawyer named Cardigan ( John Barrymore), who defends the worst of the worst such as Powers ( William "Stage" Boyd), who becomes District Attorney and it is not what he wanted. He gives up the woman he loves June ( Helen Twelvetrees) and marries a politically connected woman named Lillian ( Jill Esmond), he is really unhappy with her yo such an extent that when another man asks Cardigan to divorce her, he says an annulment instead and he notes "She has never been touched by me and she never will." Spoilers ahead:,Eventually Powers murders someone and June is a witness so Cardigan is given the opportunity to set things right. He prosecuteS Powers and resigns from being District Attorney in the middle of the trial, and learns at the end that June is waiting for him and they go off together. If you see the credits you see Barrymore in large letters, Twelvetrees in smaller letters and everyone else in small letters. It actually makes sense because one or the other or both are in every scene in the movie. It is a must for Barrymore fans and an easy 10/10 stars.

Jumping the Attorney Aisle

[view_and_review · 6/10 · 13 February 2024]

Tom Cardigan (John Barrymore) was a smooth, sermonizing, Clarence Darrow type of defense attorney. Like any wealthy defense attorney, he had rich guilty clients. In Cardigan's case, his main financier was Vanny Powers (William 'Stage' Boyd). Cardigan used Powers to finance his lifestyle and his own mouth to rise to fame. Cardigan was so good that he was wanted for the job as state's attorney and then maybe even governor.

After Cardigan jumped to the other side of the attorney aisle he tried to distance himself from Powers. The drumbeat of his governorship was growing and a guy like Powers would be bad for his campaign. He also needed to make a big splash with a big conviction. For that he tried Nora Dean (Mary Duncan) for murdering her husband.

Opposed to his beating up on Nora on the witness stand was Cardigan's girlfriend June (Helen Twelvetrees). Cardigan met June while defending her from a prostitution charge (though they never said prostitution), so June knew what it was like to be in the defense chair.

In favor of his attempts to hang Nora was a high society woman named Lillian (Jill Esmond). A relationship with her and her father were just what Cardigan would need to make it to the governor's mansion.

If anything this movie highlighted how a brilliant lawyer can get a conviction or an acquittal depending on what team he/she is playing for. Cardigan was that gifted at swaying juries and rattling witnesses.

I typically love courtroom dramas. This one was just OK. There wasn't much courtroom to it, just mostly the social climb of Cardigan and the moves he made along the way. Like anyone hopping into politics there are compromises to be made and images to protect. Sometimes, to protect one's own image a person has to ruin someone else. Cardigan had to make that choice as well.

Free on Odnoklassniki.

Drunk attorney makes good

[van-83714 · 5/10 · 4 November 2021]

A story of an attorney that turns over a new leaf. John Barrymore playing a "borderline alcoholic", no a complete alcoholic, was too close to reality of Barrymore's life at the time. Direction and acting midway through the film (the first trial) seemed contrived. At the same time, Barrymore was playing an intoxicated character that seem all too real and painful to watch. Near the end of the film in the second trial, a lucid Barrymore showed the acting skills that made him famous. A brief glimmer of his great talent that was often unrealized by his addiction. In the female lead, Helen Twelvetrees provided a much more consistent and natural performance.

John Barrymore is very good but the courtroom hysterics are downright embarrassing.

[planktonrules · 5/10 · 24 January 2014]

According to IMDb, John Barrymore's character in "State's Attorney" was based on a real attorney, dapper William J. Fallon. How close the character is to Fallon, I have no idea--though I strongly suspect that Fallon's story and this one are very, very different. This is because there are LOTS of hysterics in this one--so many that you just cannot believe the film has any semblance to real life.

The film begins with Barrymore playing Attorney Tom Cardigan. Cardigan seems to be perpetually inebriated--a role to which Barrymore was well suited. However, despite his drinking*, he is an expert attorney who always seems to win. So, he's a valuable asset to mobsters and other low-lifes who need him to help them beat the rap. In the process of doing his job, he meets a woman (Helen Twelvetrees) and they fall in love. While the film never comes out and says it, it's strongly implied that she becomes his mistress.

Surprisingly, his mobster friend has an idea--make Cardigan the State's Attorney where he can be even more helpful to the mob. However, it soon becomes apparent that Cardigan means to do this job well--and not use it as a revolving door for criminals. Cardigan now is interested more in becoming the next governor as opposed to becoming a rich, satisfied lawyer. What's next? See the film.

Because it's a film about lawyers, it's not surprising there are several courtroom scenes. However, to me this was the low point of the film as too often the proceedings became ridiculously melodramatic and shrill. Folks on the witness stand begin screaming their guilt, women break down and cry and, ultimately, Cardigan makes speeches instead of defends or prosecutes. It's a shame, as Barrymore was a fine actor but these scenes tend to bring down the overall quality of the movie. Fair but it sure should have been a lot better.