Paixões Turbulentas

When the story begins, DA Craig Warren (Adolph Menjou) approaches a young lawyer he just observed in court. Warren is impressed with Steve Bennett (Dennis O'Keefe) and offers him a job. For a while, Bennet is a very valuable asset to his boss...so valuable that Warren does something truly awful. When he learns that Bennett is dating Marcia Whiting (Marguerite Chapman), however, he takes it upon himself to talk to Marcia....to tell her to break off her relationship with him! Why? Because she has a past and Warren is worried it will harm Bennett's chances of one day becoming the District Attorney. She agrees and, not surprisingly, when Bennett finds out about this he is furious. But by now the damage has been done...and she's married some mobster. Bennett, naturally, quits his job.

Soon Bennett is offered a chance to defend his ex-girlfriend...and when he does it, the mob thinks they have a lawyer who will do their bidding...and they're right. Is there any hope for Bennett? And what's next?

The first half of the film is excellent...and hooked me. The second half, while not terrible, is REALLY tough to believe. Neat...but tough to believe. Overall, a very good time-passer.

I won't rehash the entire storyline here as that's already been done. I will say that Mr. District Attorney is a better and more enjoyable film that I initially expected. It's filled with a solid and well rounded cast all of which bring the goods. With Chapman strong and only surpassed by Adolphe Menjou, who I think really pulls everything together nicely. The script is pretty good as well and it does a credible job of keeping the true motives of Chapman's character intentionally hazy as long as is needed. The end isn't really a surprise but still everything leading up to it, including steady and brisk direction, all contribute to a positive viewing experience.

This film version of the popular radio and later television series stars Adolph Menjou in the title role as the incorruptible District Attorney of an unnamed city. Menjou's famous waxed mustache proved handy in the role as it suggested that other mustached DA who ran for president, Thomas E. Dewey.

The plot finds Menjou hiring Dennis O'Keefe after he overhears him quitting a case where he found the evidence bogus. That kind of integrity impresses Menjou and he puts him to work.

But O'Keefe has a weakness and it's for Marguerite Chapman one cold hearted minx if there ever was one. She skirted on a murder accomplice charge already and she's in the pay of construction tycoon George Coulouris. When O'Keefe begins investigating Coulouris, she's right there to tip him to every move.

Menjou busts them up, but O'Keefe takes it the wrong way and goes over to the dark side. It's only then we see just how evil Chapman is and she's one of the most evil women ever seen on the big screen this side of Jane Greer in Out Of The Past.

Michael O'Shea as Menjou's investigator and Jeff Donnell as the DA's secretary/receptionist also contribute some noteworthy characterizations as does Steven Geray who was a regular in these Columbia noir type films.

The image of Menjou as Dewey is reinforced in the film by the fact that he tells O'Keefe to be ready to work long and desultory hours in obtaining convictions. That is exactly what Dewey did to his staff, he drove himself just as hard. Curiously enough though the DA's name on the radio series is unmentioned, here his last name is Warren and another guy who was at one time the District Attorney of Alameda County which is Oakland in California was Governor of California when Mr. District Attorney came out. He would run with Dewey for Vice President in 1948 and later became one of our greatest Chief Justices, meaning of course Earl Warren.

Though Menjou and O'Keefe are fine, this film belongs to Marguerite Chapman in what was her career role in her screen career. Not much in the way of production, but a solid plot and characterization make Mr. District Attorney a good noir feature.

Dennis O'Keefe is "Bennett" and aspiring lawyer who joins the team of District Attorney "Warren" (Adolphe Menjou). Initially he is prepared to put in the graft, and his boss is impressed - but when he begins to fall for the enigmatic "Marcia" (Marguerite Chapman) his focus starts to wander and he and his boss part company. Now on the other side of the fence, "Bennett" finds himself working for "Randolph" (George Coulouris) and embroiled in a complex property scam that could involve his new love. It's not a bad effort at a crime noir, this, but there is far too much dialogue and little on-screen chemistry between O'Keefe and his not-so-smouldering femme-fatale Chapman. It is probably about fifteen minutes too long, with a little too much preamble that could have been reinvested in the grittier end of the proceedings that are all rather conveniently - and hastily - pulled together. It's pretty procedural and I can't think you'll remember watching it afterwards, but it passes the time ok.

A young assistant DA gets mixed up with an unscrupulous woman and her criminally connected husband.

On the whole, the movie is a rather pleasant surprise, thanks to a lively cast and an edgy script. From the unpromising title, I expected a replay of the radio series that was nothing special. Instead, however, the movie plays more like a 40's noir than a legal documentary.

The story's crux revolves around Marcia's (Chapman) ruthless manipulations, and Chapman is excellent as the designing spider woman. As a result of the clever script and adept acting, it's hard to detect Marcia's true intentions. That leaves us in the same position as her paramour, the befuddled Steve (O'Keefe). But, Steve's none too ethical himself since he hires out to crooked businessman Randolph (Coulouris), after leaving the DA's office. Together, Marcia and Steve make a good tarnished pair, well suited to noir.

It's a dynamic Adolph Menjou as the truculent DA, however, who makes the film work. Thanks to actor Menjou, we understand why Steve has a love-hate relationship with his boss. As a result, Steve's basic dilemma revolves around which he will follow—the DA and his profession or Marcia and her allure. Fortunately, if things get too heavy, the lively Harrington (O'Shea) is around with his well-scripted quips.

Despite its assets, the film's far from a classic, but does remain a lively little programmer thanks to a large dose of Hollywood professionalism.