Frank J. Collins reportedly used an unorthodox and dissolute lawyer named William Fallon as the inspiration for Vincent Day in his play 'Mouthpiece' which was adapted for the screen in 1932. This starred Warren William and in two subsequent versions the character has been reincarnated as Stephen Forbes and Victor Scott, played respectively by George Brent and Edward G. Robinson. Each of the three versions has its strengths and weaknesses but the third has a definite edge courtesy of Mr. Robinson, indisputably one of the greatest actors ever to grace a sound stage.
His character's win at all costs courtroom antics are utterly outrageous and one has serious doubts as to whether, even in America, such behaviour would have been tolerated but assuming them to be fictional they are eminently entertaining, especially when performed by such a superlative artiste.
This was not exactly an easy period for Mr. Robinson, neither financially nor professionally, thanks to the unwelcome attentions of the confounded HUAC and an expensive divorce. Not only was he obliged to sell much of his art collection but appeared in a succession of 'B's' although he himself remained an 'A' in every respect. Ironically it was staunch right-winger Cecil B. De Mille who put him back on the 'A' list where he belonged, in 'The Ten Commandments'.
Yes, this opus is a 'B' but Lewis Allen's competent direction, taut editing of Joseph Reilly and tremendous support from Nina Foch and Albert Dekker contribute to one of the best films of its type one is likely to see, weakened only by a rather pat ending.
Pneumatic Jayne Mansfield plays a 'dumb broad' in this and could be seen to be treading the same path as Marilyn Monroe in John Huston's 'Asphalt Jungle'. The earlier film was based upon a novel by W. R. Burnett who just happened to write the screenplay for this. Is it purely coincidental that Monroe's character is Angela whilst Mansfield's is Angel? I wonder. Both ladies were to be ill-fated but whereas Miss Monroe went from strength to strength, Miss Mansfield's limitations soon became evident.
As for Mr. Robinson, he is one of the finest actors never to win an Oscar and even his Life Achievement award had to be given posthumously. He has since however received the ultimate accolades of inspiring a character in 'The Simpsons' and appearing on a postage stamp. Oh, well....
His character's win at all costs courtroom antics are utterly outrageous and one has serious doubts as to whether, even in America, such behaviour would have been tolerated but assuming them to be fictional they are eminently entertaining, especially when performed by such a superlative artiste.
This was not exactly an easy period for Mr. Robinson, neither financially nor professionally, thanks to the unwelcome attentions of the confounded HUAC and an expensive divorce. Not only was he obliged to sell much of his art collection but appeared in a succession of 'B's' although he himself remained an 'A' in every respect. Ironically it was staunch right-winger Cecil B. De Mille who put him back on the 'A' list where he belonged, in 'The Ten Commandments'.
Yes, this opus is a 'B' but Lewis Allen's competent direction, taut editing of Joseph Reilly and tremendous support from Nina Foch and Albert Dekker contribute to one of the best films of its type one is likely to see, weakened only by a rather pat ending.
Pneumatic Jayne Mansfield plays a 'dumb broad' in this and could be seen to be treading the same path as Marilyn Monroe in John Huston's 'Asphalt Jungle'. The earlier film was based upon a novel by W. R. Burnett who just happened to write the screenplay for this. Is it purely coincidental that Monroe's character is Angela whilst Mansfield's is Angel? I wonder. Both ladies were to be ill-fated but whereas Miss Monroe went from strength to strength, Miss Mansfield's limitations soon became evident.
As for Mr. Robinson, he is one of the finest actors never to win an Oscar and even his Life Achievement award had to be given posthumously. He has since however received the ultimate accolades of inspiring a character in 'The Simpsons' and appearing on a postage stamp. Oh, well....