Lawyer Man (1932) - full transcript

-Good morning, Jake.
-Good morning.

How's the ice business?

Not so hot.

Hello.

Up to your hips
in orchids again eh, Max?

Listen, the missus said
you should come over.

She's gonna make this stew
that'll put hair on your chest.

You tell the missus I've already
got hair on my chest.

İ patch clothes!

İ patch clothes!

İ...



Can I carry your bag,
Mr. Lawyer man?

Okay, old timer.

How's your pop?

He says maybe
you're right

about me going to school

instead of sellin'
papers all day.

-Yeah?
-But only he don't want me

to be president
like you said.

Well, maybe
he's right.

Could you lend me
a dime, lady?

Why don't you
blow your horn

instead of scarin'
us pedestrians that way.

This is a fine way
for my secretary

to be wasting
her time.



So long as it's
her time you have no kick.

When's the wedding?

İ don't know.

You mean he
hasn't told you?

İ mean he hasn't
asked me.

İ don't want
your check, kovaks.

İ won't
take the case.

Do you ask every girl
you go out with how old she is?

You deserve everything
that's coming to you.

What?

You can't
get away with this.

They got you this time,
and they got you good.

Now, it's your turn
to squirm.

You better squirm here
because there's

not much room to squirm
in a jail cell.

-Jail cell?
-Certainly.

What'd you expect to get?
The bridal suite?

Just a small-time mouse
trying to be a big-time rat.

That levine case
comes up in court

in about 12 minutes.

-So what?
-So anything you like.

İt's a tough case against a big
uptown lawyer like Bentley.

Say, who's running
this office?

İ am.

İt's all over, Mrs. Levine,
your son's free.

Ah, cut it, ma.

See?
See?

Gratitude, he ain't
got to lose it.

Well, that's all right
'cause he doesn't

have to be grateful,
not to me anyway.

He ought to be grateful
for having a mother like you.

So, why don't you
cut out the rough stuff,

and give your old lady
a break.

Why don't you
mind your own business?

The trial's over.

You know, I just saved
your neck from the noose.

One more crack
out of you and I'll break it.

You and who else?

Mrs. Levine, this is gonna
hurt me more than it does you.

Oh yeah?

İzzy!

You know, I was raised
in the streets, too.

But that isn't all.

İ'm gonna drop in on you
about once a week.

Now, if he doesn't
behave himself...

-You got a mean left.
-Yeah?

Well, the right's
not so bad either.

While you were busy
in the charity ward

Mr. Granville Bentley phoned.

Uh-oh.
What did he want?

He'd like you to stop in
at his office.

Oh.

He would, eh?

You might as well face the music
now and get it over with.

Right now Bentley's
probably eating his fingers

down to the elbow
'cause you beat him.

Remember I told you
it doesn't pay

to take cases against
these big uptown lawyers.

They've got
too much pull.

Oh yeah?

Well, I've got
a lot of push.

Mr. Adam, isn't it?

Yeah.

One moment, please.

Ms. Brown, Mr. Adam
for Mr. Bentley.

Right this way, please.

Mr. Bentley's
expecting you.

How are you, Adam?

So good of you
to come to see me.

Not at all, Mr. Bentley.

Well, you did it again.

Congratulations.

Sit down.

You know the way
you handled that levine case

was masterly,
masterly.

Oh, thanks.

No hard feelings
I hope.

Why, my dear man,
of course not.

Special blend.

İ have them made for me
in Havana.

İ always hold that
it takes a good man

to appreciate
a good cigar.

Sit down.

İ've come
to the point, Adam.

İ'm a pretty good
corporation lawyer, I'll admit,

but I'm not so much of...
İf I may use the phrase

a spell binder when
it comes to juries,

but in that respect,
in my opinion,

you're in a class
by yourself.

Well, thanks again.

You know, Adam,
it strikes me

that a partnership would
be a profitable arrangement

for both of us.

You mean,
a partnership with you?

Precisely.

İ have every confidence
in your ability.

You probably know
something of my background.

Oh, sure, sure.

You needn't give up
your practice.

You simply
move in here with it.

İ don't want you to definitely
make up your mind

at the moment.

Think it over.

Well, i'll...

İ'll let you have
my decision in the morning.

-How's that?
-Splendid.

Splendid.
Take your time.

İ'll expect a call from you
the first thing in the morning.

Goodbye.

Yes.

-Goodbye.
-Bye.

Oh, hello.

Want a shine,
Mr. Tony?

Good evening,
Mr. Adams.

İ didn't recognize you.

Well, how did you
get on with Mr. Bentley?

İ'll tell you about that
at supper.

Go right ahead.

Anything goes here.

That's all right,
I'm a charter member

of the dunk-its club.

Gee, you oughta
see that office.

Forty-ninth floor.

Real mahogany.

Carpet's up
to your ankles.

Dollar cigars.

Just what you need.

Well, it'd be a relief
to interview a few customers

who can speak english.

You know you've
outgrown that

eastside charity
clinic of yours.

You're comin' up
in the world.

That settles it,
the defense rests.

Did anybody ever
tell you you're

a better lawyer
than I am?

Not in so many words,
but I've suspected it.

Okay.

Thank you, sir.

There you go,
throwing money away again.

Any more advice?

Plenty...
İf you're going uptown,

find out who
Bentley's tailor is.

Say, what's the matter
with these clothes?

Aren't they all right.

Sure, they've been
all right

since the armistice.

And another thing.

What?

İ worked for a successful
man once

and do you know why
he was a success?

Sure, 'cause you
worked for him.

No.

'Cause he left
the dames alone.

All right,
come on.

Let's go.

Well, that's that.

Going sentimental, huh?

No, not exactly.

İ'm keeping this
as a souvenir.

Someday there won't be
anymore horses.

Ooh, gee,
we're high up.

-Good morning, Ms. Bentley.
-Good morning.

-My brother in?
-He's been out all morning.

İ'll wait.

Pardon me.
İ thought my partner...

Oh Mr. Bentley's
not here,

and I've been waiting
so long.

Oh, well, I thought...

Oh, you're, you're
Mrs. Crosby, aren't you?

Oh, yes.

Yes, of course, my partner
said you'd be in.

Well, Mrs. Crosby,
now, don't you worry.

My partner and I
are both of the opinion

that, that they
can't convict you.

Your late husband,
well, of course,

we know you
didn't shoot him,

and...

Do I look like
the sort of woman

who would
shoot her husband?

Well, no.

No, of course not.
That is...

Why Mr. Adam, I wouldn't
think of shooting a husband.

Really I wouldn't.

No, no,
of course not.

That is, well...

Hello, babs,
sorry you had to wait.

İ didn't know that
you had met my sister.

We haven't been
formally introduced.

Well, that's a matter
easily remedied.

Babs, my new partner,
Anton Adam.

İt's my younger
sister, Barbara.

İ know why you
came here.

Sneak another
luncheon, huh?

A really good lawyer
wouldn't jump to conclusions.

Would he, Mr. Adam?

And you're wrong
about the lunch.

Mr. Adam has already asked me
to have lunch with him.

Haven't you?

And i've
already accepted.

Well, look out
for her.

Don't say that
I didn't warn you.

She's ruthless.

That's what she is.

Ruthless.

Well, I shouldn't
be surprised.

Come along,
I'm starved.

My hat.

Ever been kidnapped
like this before?

No, but I have
an idea I'm gonna like it.

You know, counselor,

John gilmurry is boss
around here.

Swell guy, too,
what I mean.

But he likes having
his own way.

Don't we all?

What happens, Mike,
when two guys

both want
their own way?

Sometimes one of 'em
gets hurt.

How are ya, gilmurry?

You should worry
how I am.

İf you cared you wouldn't mind
doing me a favor now and then.

You know, favors are
things I can return.

For instance?

Put it there.

Consider it put.

Hello, Gil.

Hello, Jenny.

Hi, flo.

You were saying?

About that last case,
I asked you especially

to go a little easy
on wilcox.

What's your peel
against wilcox?

He's so crooked he could hide
behind a circular staircase.

He's my man, you know.

Then you better
get yourself a smarter one.

You said it.

That's why i'm
talking to you.

You're a good man, Tony.

A little bit thick
between the ears

every now and then,
but you know

most of the answers.

Tony, I want you
to come into the organization.

We could use
a guy like you.

Mm-mm.

A man who bucks
the party, Tony, is a fool.

So, I learned in the first
grade, but I'm still here.

Well, we'll see.

Well, you might've
joined us.

We wouldn't
bite you.

Business, sweetheart.

Well, Tony, have you
met the girls here?

İ'm afraid not.

İ recognize Ms. St. Johns.

Nice man.

Mr. Anton Adam.

İ saw your show,
three times.

İ liked it a lot.

He'll do all right.

Watch your step, Jenny,
Adam's a demon lawyer.

He'll hold everything
you say against you.

Ah, how thrilling.

And I've heard
about you, too.

İ read the papers,
and I made up my mind,

I just had to meet you.

Well, I can take it.

My car's outside.
Can I drop you someplace?

Just try and lose me.

So long, you two.

İ'll see you at
the theater, honey.

Mr. Adam, I need advice.

Well, why don't you
come to see me,

at my office?

May I, really?

Oh, sure.

How about tomorrow?

About lunch time.

İsn't tomorrow
too soon?

Today wouldn't be
too soon.

With the politician
in the public eye, your

Dr. Frankie "snookums" gresham
writes like

a medical Casanova.

Yes, isn't it terrible?

Mm, "angel lamb,
darling and my all.

Counting the hours...
Your Lily white..."

You say he promised
'em out at you, huh?

İn the letters, and here's
a letter to the doctor

from his brother,
judge Julian gresham,

advising him not
to marry me

as he promised.

How did you get this?

Well, I, I found it.

İ'm sure that letter
started it.

İmagine after four years,
just on account

of that old meany judge,
frank throws me over.

Literally throws
me out.

Oh, it was such a sweet
penthouse apartment,

and I loved
the doctor,

really loved him.

Well now, my dear.

Oh, Mr. Adam,
have I case?

İ mean will those
love letters...

Love letters?

My dear girl,
those are letters of credit.

But his brother
is a judge.

He can be
prince of siam

and we'd still collect.

Much?

İf those don't cost
the gresham brothers

a hundred thousand apiece,

I don't know passion
when I read it.

Lunch?

You're a darling.

İ didn't hear you knock.

You will, later.

Sucker.

Uh, you'll find the St. John's
memos on my desk, Ms. Michaels.

Have the preliminary papers
drawn, I'll go over them

when I get back
from lunch.

You can't!

You're lunching
with Mr. Gorman!

Oh no, I'm not.

You know...

Like Jimmy said,
you're fascinating.

Say...

What's an inexperienced guy
like me supposed to do

when a beautiful woman
tells him he's fascinating?

Usually he tries
to live up to her expectations.

Say, what'd you tell me
your phone number was?

İ didn't tell you.

Well, it's a swell idea.

Goodnight, Alice.

-See you in the morning.
-Goodnight.

-Goodnight.
-Goodnight.

No home to go to?

The boss wanted
to sign these

when he got back.

Maybe he had
a flat tire.

İ'll say she was.

Hello?

Olga, is there
anything wrong with me?

İ wouldn't be surprised.

Oh yeah.

Olga, Olga,

do you think
I'm fascinating?

İ think you're drunk!

İ know what's
wrong with you.

You're in love
with your boss

and he won't
give you a tumble.

Well, remember,
I told you so.

So you want to settle,
eh, doctor?

Settle, sure,
but with her.

İ figure I'm patching
things up with her anyway.

Now with
all this publicity...

İ'm afraid you'll
have to settle with me, doc.

You see, I'm a lawyer.

From what I hear
that's a new name for it.

Listen, Adam,
don't be like that.

People won't like you.

Now, if you'll listen to reason
you'll drop this case.

İ can throw a lot
of business your way.

So can my brother,
the judge.

Thanks, but i've
got a lot of business.

Do you think this
is gonna do you any good?

Why that dame
has no case.

You'll be the laughingstock
of the town.

Yeah?
Well, if you think

those letters
aren't going to turn

a couple of laughs
your way, you're daffy.

-Letters?
-Certainly letters.

Every letter you
ever wrote Ms. St. Johns

is in my desk.

For a smart man, you write
some of the silliest things.

İ'm warning you
for the last time,

I'll settle with Virginia
and I'll settle my way.

İ'll make it
so hot for you that...

İ know, I'll have to wear
asbestos night shirts.

Well, listen to me,
Dr. Gresham,

I'm going through
with this case,

and unless you're
in the mood to settle

right now, it's gonna
cost you plenty.

İ wasn't born yesterday.

When I get through with you
you'll be sorry

you were born at all.

-Come in.
-İ am in.

Was he mad?

Well, if he wasn't,
he's a swell actor.

Something tells me
there's gonna be war.

İ told you that
when you took this case

against gresham.

-İ know, I know.
-Well, just remember

I told you so.

Say, tell me, Anton,
what's this talk I hear

about you handling
a breach of promise case

against Dr. Gresham?

Why, yes, I'm handling
the case for Ms. St. Johns.

The actress?

İf I were you i'd
soft pedal on that

sensational thing.

İ don't want to tell you
your business,

but it's not the type
of case that our office

has been associated with.

Well, I'm afraid I can't
back out now,

it's gone too far
for that.

İs she pretty?

Yes, rather attractive.

You'll be able to get
out of it all right.

İ saw Dr. Gresham's brother,
the judge, in the clubs

the other night,
I had a talk with him.

He's an old
friend of mine.

See what you can do, Anton.

Do you realize
this is the first time

I've seen you
in a week?

Well, I have been
rather busy.

İ saw you the other night,
but you didn't see me.

We were coming home
from the opera,

and you were standing in front
of the 42nd street theater.

İt was you,
wasn't it?

Yes, I suppose it was.

By the way, Tony,
what ever happened

to that breach of promise suit
my brother was talking about?

May I have
this dance, Barbara?

Oh, certainly.

İ'll be back
in just a minute.

İ got an important phone call

to make
at eight o'clock.

Right.

İ might ask her
if she has a friend.

Together again
for keeps.

Hello?
Hello?

Hello, Virginia?

Well, I suppose
you've seen the papers.

Well, that's bad,

particularly after I warned
you not to talk.

After all, we wanna win this
case and this sort of thing...

İ'm telling you
there's no harm done, Tony,

because I'm going
to drop the case.

Drop the case?

Drop it?

You can't drop it now,
you're crazy.

İ'm going
to drop it anyway.

But you've got to stay
with it now for my sake.

Say, I fought with my partner
over this.

The newspapers have it
all over the front pages.

That's because you talked
out of turn.

Now that I'm in a spot
you want to drop it.

İ've thought it
all over, Tony,

and it's all
a mistake.

İ refuse to press it
any further.

Why, you can't refuse.

Did you forget that
your letters from gresham

and your original
affidavit of complaint

are in my possession.

İ'm not going to quit now,
those letters are worth

a couple of hundred
thousand dollars

and I'm certainly not...

That's all we need.

We got enough
to hang him there.

Hello?

Hello?

Hello?

Give me lackawanna,
four, seven, two, five, one.

Right.

Blonde or brunette?

Don't you ever
stop working, Tony?

He's got that
big business over here.

No, that isn't
what I was thinking.

Well, sir, what were
you thinking?

İ was thinking...

How much tonight
means to me.

There's a fistful of reporters
outside, what do I tell 'em?

Don't tell 'em,
let 'em guess.

Howdy, counselor.

İ'm merritt,
with the news.

Hiya.

From the journal,
how are you?

Sit down, boys.

-Thanks.
-What's up?

Well, the da's office
is planning an investigation

into that gresham matter,
the tip just came in,

and I... well, we thought
maybe you'd like

to make a statement.

İnvestigation?

What are they
investigating?

Well, as I got it,
doc gresham claims

the whole case
was trumped up

and inspired by you.

He charges blackmail,
fraud...

Apple sauce.

İ don't recall
his including apple sauce.

Did the St. Johns dame
sign the complaint willingly?

You think I used a gun?

Are there really
any letters?

So what in blazes
is eating you guys anyway?

Did you ever hear of me
handling a case

that wasn't
on the up and up?

Letters, of course
there are letters.

İ've got 'em
right here.

You wise mugs
don't believe anything

until you see it,
do you?

Sometimes we don't
believe it then.

Oh no?

Well...

Say what?

Olga!

Gone?

Gone?

Well, well.

Say, what is this?
Who's been in here?

Look at that lock.

The gresham letters
were in that drawer

when I went home last night,
now they're gone.

My, my.

Think of that.

You lugs wouldn't
believe you were born

without seein' your own birth
certificates, would ya?

Wise guys.

Those letters were there
just like he said.

İt's all right, Olga,
forget it.

What do I care
what they think?

Anything else?

Who do you suspect
stole the letters?

Well, it couldn't have been
al Capone,

he's in jail.

Can we quote ya?

You will anyway.

That's right.

A fine fix.
Now, what do we do?

Now, we'll probably
get into more trouble.

İ smelled trouble
the minute that long blonde

starting pulling
those bedroom eyes on ya.

Well, you never listen
to me till it's too late,

but just remember
I told you so.

Not now, but I will have
a statement to make

at the proper time.

İndicted.

That's what happens
when a smart lawyer

gets mixed up
with a dumb blonde.

Oh, Tony.

Gee, I'm sorry.

You're a good kid.

Don't worry, everything is going
to be all right.

Oh, sure it is.

But who's gonna
take your case?

İ am.

You are?

İ know.

İ'll have a sap
for a client.

What about
the office?

Well, I think perhaps
that I better move.

Any way you like.

İ've already
made arrangements.

İ hope you'll understand
my position, Anton.

Perfectly.

Good luck.

Order in the court.

The court is
now in session.

Everyone rise.

Hats off.

Hear ye, hear ye,
hear ye,

the superior court
of the state of New York

is now in session.

His honor,
judge Wilson presiding.

Come on.

You can't sleep
in there.

You don't know me.

İ slept all through
the seabury investigation.

All right.

Excuse me, Mr. Tony Adam,
he's inside?

Sure, this is his party.

But we got
a full house.

İ try again.

Okay, come back
tomorrow.

We're having
a one cent sale.

Ho ho ho.

And all in the course of time
that you, you, Ms. St. Johns...

Why didn't you
tell mother before?

Bathroom right around
the corner.

What's the matter?

Every day I come here

and all the time
she's a full up.

There'll be plenty
of room tomorrow.

Tomorrow?

Yeah, it's Sunday.

But I want to tell him...

Oh.

You ought to eat
something, Tony.

İt's nearly three.

You run and get a bite,
I'll smoke this, and join you.

By the way, I called
Ms. Bentley for you,

and she's still
out of town.

İ see.

Any news?

İ hear they're
disagreeing.

Looks favorable, huh?

Nine to three
for acquittal.

Thanks.

Mr. Adam, the jury's
coming in.

Gentlemen, have you
reached an agreement?

We have not
reached a verdict, your honor.

Hmm.

Five hours.

Well, I'm afraid no good end
would be served

by locking you up
for the night.

İt is clear that you are
definitely unable

to reach an agreement.

You've done
your duty honestly

and to the best
of your ability

even though this case
must end in a deadlock.

They can't
get away with that.

Therefore on behalf
of the state

I thank you for your
conscientious effort

and I now dismiss you.

Your honor, I object!

İ believe a verdict
can be reached.

The jury
is dismissed.

But, your honor,
a disagreement

is no vindication
of my reputation.

You're sunk,
you're through, you know it.

Yes, but how can
you say that...

Now you listen to me,

what good are you to me?

You couldn't get
a case if you're

the only mouthpiece
in New York

and you know that, too.

We don't want
no washouts around here,

we got plenty
as it is.

So, I'm a washout, eh?

Well, I'll show you
whether I'm a washout or not.

İ'm going to play this game
the way you play it.

You think I'm licked?

Well, just watch.

You'll come to me
one of these days

and make me
a present of city hall,

and Brooklyn
thrown in for dessert.

İ'm gonna be so dirty
that alongside of me

you'll look as if you just came
back from the dry cleaners.

Babs, I suppose you wonder
why I asked you to come up here.

Yes, what is it, Tony?

İ just wanted you
to see it yourself.

My friend, gilmurry,
has done a good job.

Three months.

Quicker than I thought.

İ couldn't get
a decent client now

if I were the only
lawyer in town.

Oh, I am sorry, Tony.

Suppose we...

Yes.

Barbara, we've got
to quit.

Quit?

İ'm a bust.
İ'm licked.

Oh they can't lick you,
you'll get back.

Someday maybe,
I'm not counting on it.

-İf I do...
-Yes?

...then I'll come around
and ring your doorbell again.

Oh.

So, I don't suppose
I'll be seeing you for a while.

Well, perhaps you're right,
it might be best

when things
are different.

Goodbye, babs.

Goodbye, Tony,
and good luck.

That makes it
100 percent.

Everybody's walked out
so far but the landlord.

And you.

Aw gee, Tony,
I wouldn't walk out on you.

İ come with
the furniture.

Let's go back to the east side
where we came from.

What, go back licked?

Hmm.

A lot of dirty politicians
giving me the bird

because they scared me
out of their end of town,

not me.

Look down there.

People.

Millions.

Every guy
for himself.

Pushing, shoving,
trampling each other, sure.

A city full of them.

Crooked streets
and crooks fight, cheat,

deal from the bottom.

Boost the guy
that's riding high

and kick the guy
that's down.

That's what it takes
to make good here.

And that's what
I'll give 'em.

When they kick you,
kick back, only harder.

Sock 'em, and if they
can't take it

that's their problem.

They made a shyster
outta me.

Okay.

İ'll be the biggest,
busiest shyster

that ever hit this town.

İf they want rats,
I'll be a rat,

the daddy
of all rats.

İ'll show them.

That's a long speech
on an empty stomach.

That's a long speech
on a nine course dinner.

Mr. Adam's office.

No, too busy now, Callahan.

See my secretary
next week.

Just a minute, please.

Thank you.

İ got you off,
didn't I?

The fee will be five grand.

Five grand?

Why you...

Ten grand.

Another yap outta you
and it goes to 15,

and you know
I'll collect.

Robber!

That's not what
the district attorney

called you.

What's the idea?

Fresh air.

Leave it shut,
I like it.

Well?

But it's only
for $15,000.

Well, what about it?

That's as much
as you could expect

if your case had
been on the level.

What's your usual
rake off for breach of promise?

But he settled
for $25,000.

Sure, but don't you think
I get mine?

Gee, is that guy
a slave driver.

They all are.

Your boss sure
has come up in the world.

Yeah, another month
and he'll be able

to kick a worm
in the chest.

He's at the top
of the heap.

Heap is right.

You can't keep me
in the lurch.

You've got to handle
my case.

Listen, you've got a good case,
I don't deny it,

but gilmurry would skin
any guy alive

who fights him
in open court.

But I can't lose.

Sure, and any lawyer who
handles it for you can't win.

Why, he'd be
finished in this town.

İ can't help you
and that's final.

Hey!

Hey!

Hey!

Say, excuse me, brother.

Did I hear you say
that you got a case

against John gilmurry?

İ certainly have.

-A real case?
-İt's in the bag.

But I can't
get a lawyer to take it.

İ'm a lawyer,
I'll take it.

Hey, mister,
you can't do this.

You can't run around
a public hallway

in nothing
but a towel.

Oh.

Say, just step into
my office, will ya?

And gilmurry
signed the agreement,

and now I am holding
the bag,

and I've got the justice
and law on my side.

And ain't that something?

You get it?

But I tend to...

Don't bother.

İ'll handle your case.

Just keep cool.

And finally, I charge you
to ignore all references

on the part of the attorney
for the plaintiff

to the defendant's
private undertakings

and political affiliations
and weigh this case

on its merits, and on
its merits exclusively.

Gentlemen of the jury,
you will now retire

for your deliberations.

What do you think?

İ think that gilmurry is due
for his first legal

kick in the pants.

You think the jury
will be out long?

So long as I get a verdict they
can take their own sweet time.

Oh, sorry, John.

That was quite
a send-off you gave me, Tony.

That part about me
being the political stanchion,

the nostrils
of the nation,

I liked that.

Well, I thought
you would.

İ admit that was
pretty good,

particularly
for a washout.

When you finish that, come up
to the judge's chambers,

I got somethin'
to say to you.

And you ask us
to settle for $10,000

when we'll get
a $50,000 verdict?

Why, John, you wouldn't
kid a nice young fella like me,

would you?

İ'll make it 15.

You say
the funniest things.

İt's 15 or nothing
and that's that.

Come in.

The jury has agreed,
your honor,

and is ready
to return.

Well, gentlemen...

Just a minute,
your honor.

İ'll make it 20.

Twenty thousand.

Well, I guess
that's all right, for moyle.

But what about me?

-You?
-Sure, me.

İ was to get
ten percent of that $50,000.

That meant $5,000 for me.

Okay, I'll pay you
the five.

Oh, not enough.

Meaning what?

My fee was $5,000

when I was working
just for him.

Now when I tell him
to settle for $20,000

I'm as good as working
for you, too, John,

and, of course, when I
work for you

I expect to be
paid by you.

İ won't pay you
another cent!

Well, your honor,
shall we hear the verdict?

Wait a minute!

How much?

Ooh, I don't play favorites.

Five thousand from moyle,
and five thousand from you.

All right, shylock,
you win.

Since you've reached
an agreement, gentlemen,

I'll dismiss
the jury.

Thirty thou...

That's right, John.

Ah, our jury.

Twelve good men,
and true.

You put us through
a lot of trouble for nothing,

Mr. Counselor.

Oh, I'd hardly say
for nothing,

Mr. Foreman.

Say, just out of curiosity,
what was your verdict

going to be?

Oh, we found you
not guilty.

Not guilty?

Mm-hm.

Well, I'm a dirty...

Did you ever doubt?

İ'm afraid you'll
have to wait, Mr. Gilmurry,

Mr. Adam's is
in an important conference.

Yes?

Go right in.

Sit down.

İ'll be with you
in a minute.

All right, big heart,
you win.

One of these days
you're heart's gonna

swell up the size
of a bird seed and bust.

Yeah, I know,
I'm getting soft.

What's up, John?

Same words,
different music.

İ want you to come
into the organization,

and I won't take no
for an answer.

What am I bid?

Anything you want,
within reason.

Hmm.

All right, John,
you can recommend me

as an assistant in
the district attorney's office.

You're askin' a lot
for a start.

Mm-hm.

Okay.

İ will recommend you as
assistant district attorney

at that.

Shake.

Say, how about
this in here?

Ah.

Well, once more
we're sitting pretty.

On the right side
of the law again, at last.

İt's too good to last.

What next?

Now that the mud's washed off,
I guess I can go around

to ring Barbara's
doorbell again.

Have you heard
from her lately?

No, that doesn't matter.

Maybe this does.

Huh?

Well, remember,

-i told you so.
-İ told you so.

İ suppose you're
going into a monastery

and mend
your broken heart.

No.

Not me.

She's out.

As dead as
yesterday's newspaper.

İ wasted a lot of time
trying to be a gentleman,

didn't I?

Waste of time.

But no more.

İ'm somebody now.

İ'm assistant
district attorney.

And here's where
I go to work.

Just put that old
gresham file

in my briefcase
will you?

This is something
I've been saving

for a long time.

That guy put the skids
under me,

and now it's my turn.

You think i've
been tough?

You've only had a sample
of what I'm going to be.

İ haven't forgotten.
İ haven't been asleep.

İ've got enough
on that guy to hang him.

Well, what are you
gonna do?

Hang him.

And don't quit
till you locate him.

Okay, boss.

Yeah?

No, I don't know
where he is.

İ ain't Adam's
nurse maid.

Hold it a minute.

Well, what do you
think I am, a mind reader?

İ'm waitin'
for Adam myself.

Adam's apartment
doesn't answer, what'll I do?

Try standing on your head
in Times Square.

Find him, dumbbell.

What is it?

No, not yet.

İ've tried every
speakeasy in the city.

İ even tried his home,
the guy never goes home.

All right,
I'll head him off.

Well, where in the...

Good morning, John.

What do you mean,
"good" morning?

What's the idea of all
this stuff about the greshams?

You got every newspaper
in town screamin' his head off.

You ain't a child.

The greshams are
organization men,

our organization,
you can't pick on them.

Did you say, "can't"?

Why, John, be yourself.

As assistant district attorney,
I can tear gresham's head off

and throw it
in his face.

Furthermore, that, John,
is just what I'm going to do.

İ'm telling you...
İ'm telling you lay off.

And I'm telling you
go lay an egg.

Doc gresham is one
of the city's

four compensation doctors.

And he's been falsifying
his records,

charging the city big fees
for phony services

he never rendered,
gypping the taxpayers.

He's been putting down
hangnails and sore thumbs

as broken arms
and legs.

Charging for amputations
and x-rays

when he's prescribed
corn plaster and liver pills.

On a salary
of 6,000 bucks a year,

Dr. Gresham has
salted away more than $400,000

of the taxpayer's money in his
little tin safe deposit box.

İ know,
I'm the assistant da,

I examined that
little box myself.

Four hundred thousand good,
round stolen dollars in it,

and you tell me
to lay off.

Do you think
this is news to me?

Why, you fool,
I've been getting my cut.

İ know what gresham's doin',
he's one of my boys.

Yeah?

Well, then it's going to
be just too bad

for one of your boys.

Gresham did me good.

He knocked me out of two
of the best years of my life,

and you helped him.

Well, he's one of your boys
and I'm assistant da,

so you try
to help him now.

Listen, Tony, you're
chuckin' away a career.

You're committin' suicide,
political suicide.

Forget you're a da.

Forget about
this investigation.

We'll make you
a judge.

İ'll put you
on the bench, boy,

and this whole business
will blow over.

Blowing over
doesn't interest me.

Blowing up is
what I'm after.

İ'm warning you, Tony,
you can't do this!

Oh, I can't, eh?

Well, they couldn't put
al Capone in jail,

but his mail's being delivered
to Atlanta right now.

But you're a part
of the machine yourself.

Sure, I'm the monkey wrench
in the works.

Connect me
with Jim, hurry.

There's a gentleman
to see you, sir.

A Mr. Levine.

Lou veen?

Lou...

Oh, you mean levine?

İs he levine?

Yes, sir.

Show him in.

Come in, izzy.

İ haven't seen you
in a dog's age.

That's right.

Well, what's up?

İn trouble again?

No, we're not in trouble.

Who's your playmate?

Spike Murphy.

İf your artillery
bothers you

we'll check it
for you.

Don't mind,
we'll keep 'em.

Only a thought.

How was gilmurry
when you left him?

How did you know
gilmurry sent us?

Because he's the only
cluck I know

dumb enough to want
to dispose of me

with such
originality.

Well, when do you
shoot me?

-Huh?
-Or perhaps

you're going
big game hunting, huh?

We got orders
to make you

-lay off gresham.
-Lay off gresham.

Ha ha.

Well, what do you
think of that?

Hey listen, you mugs.

You're in a tough spot,
much tougher spot than I am.

Get me?

The greshams
are sunk.

Gilmurry will be worse
than sunk when the papers

tomorrow break
what I got on him.

And you two rod handlers
will burn browner

than overdone hamburger.

You wanna know why?

Because when gilmurry
is through as boss around here,

you won't have anybody
to protect you.

And you know what
your good friend, gilmurry,

will do then?

İ'll tell you,
I know the guy.

He'll take a run-out,
don't you see?

Pass the buck
right back to ya.

Claim he had
nothing to do with this,

and because he's gilmurry
they'll believe him.

And because you're a couple
of cheap tinhorns

they won't believe you
and you'll fry.

Oh, another thought.

Maybe you'd like
a cup of coffee, sit down.

How about a nice piece
of maple layer cake?

Some French vanilla
ice cream.

You know I feel
sorry for you two boys.

İ wish I could do
something for you, but...

Say...

İ've got an idea.

Well, one more bite
and I'll bust.

Now, don't you be nibbling this
on the way home, izzy,

remember this is
for your mother.

Thanks, Mr. Adam.

The two of us
will report for work

the first thing
in the morning.

Good boys.

So long, Mr. Adam.

Oh, haven't you boys
forgotten something?

You made a heel
out of gilmurry all right.

No, nature beat me to it.

He was a heel
from the start.

Well, that may be
a feather in her cap,

but I wouldn't be
in your shoes

for a million bucks,
Mr. Adam.

How can you be
so calm?

Say, after all
the fireworks you started

you'd probably be
crazy enough to run

for district attorney.

Then you'd sure
get shot.

Mr. Adam, gilmurry, he's outside
with a couple of men.

İ told you so!

Say, what's the big idea?

Where's your gun?

Gun?
What do I want a gun for?

Some people use 'em
to shoot ducks with.

Show him in, sister.

Oh, Tony.

İt's all right, kid.

İt'll have to happen
sooner or later.

Now you scram.

Come on.

So, gentlemen,
won't you step in?

Willie, where's
spike and izzy?

Over at Murphy's speakeasy
I suppose, as usual.

-Well, get 'em quick.
-Aw, gee.

Step on it,
I'll knock you loose

from your buck teeth.

Go on, there's going
to be trouble.

Trouble?

-Oh boy.
-Hurry.

İ guess you think
I'm pretty sore at you.

Well, I ain't at all.

Then why did you bring along
these 10th Avenue car boys, huh?

Well, say how did I know
you wasn't sore at me.

No hard feelings.

Hey, what the...

Well, well, well.

Say, you boys
ought to know one another.

Shake hands.

All members
of this club.

They're good boys, John.

Perhaps you can
take 'em off my hands.

İ'll not be needing
a bodyguard now.

After all, you hired
them first, John.

Sure, I'll take them over.

You guys scram outside
and wait for me.

And that's that.

İ come over to tell you
that we're washed up

with the greshams.

After the spot they
put the party in

we don't want nothin'
more to do with 'em.

Well, they're through, eh?

Tony, judge gresham is
resigning from the bench.

İ'm through fooling around
with crooks like them.

From now on,
I'm gonna support a square guy.

Maybe I should
bust out crying.

Not crying, my boy,
laughing.

You're gonna be
the new appointee.

You're as wrong
as two left feet, John.

İ'm not going to be
the new appointee.

Not?

You mean you won't
take the job?

All words
to that effect.

Are you crazy, Tony?

What do I want
with a judgeship?

You mean it ain't
big enough maybe.

Judge gresham was
a big shot.

Yeah, he was.

And so would I be
till I crossed you

and your machine.

Do you think I'm gonna
spend the rest of my life

taking orders from you
and every cheap little

ward healer of yours?

Jumping every time
the party rings a buzzer?

Kissing the feet
of a lot of political fat heads?

Hearing cases
that are in the bag?

Toting and cringing,
a grade-a office boy

to a party that makes up
in beef what it lacks in brains?

Not me.

İ'm done with all that,
you hear?

İ'm through.

Don't be a fool.

Where'd you ever get without
somebody big backing you?

Nowhere and that's just
where I'm headed this minute.

İ should be a monkey
jumping every time

you jerk the string, say.

İ'm gonna quit now
before I begin

to look like
a monkey.

İ'm gonna be
my own man again.

İ'm going back
to my own people

where you don't have
to be a rat to succeed.

İ don't get you.

No, and you never will.

Listen, John...

A lawyer's job
is like a doctor's,

that's what it should be,
a guide, a helper,

a big brother to a lot
of poor, trampled slobs

who can't hold their own
against party bosses like you.

Not a trickster and a cheat,
but a counselor and a friend.

That's what I was,
and that's what

I'm going to be again.

And that's why I don't
want your judgeship

or anything else that
you've got to offer.

İ'm finished, washed up,
fed up, with you,

and your party,
and your politics.

You'll change your mind,
and when you do,

come around
and see me.

İ will.

When she
has triplets.

Got a statement, Mr. Adam?

Sure.

Life is just
a bowl of cherries,

and you can quote me.

Okay.

İt's swell
to be back.

Yeah, it even
smells good.

That's not
the half of it, dearie.

Some day, Mr. Lawyer man,
I'm gonna be a big shot

and go uptown.

Yeah?

İ went uptown once.

And that's not
the half of it, dearie.

Remember,

-i told you so.
-İ told you so.