Penthouse (1933)

An essential comedy mystery drama from director W.S. Van Dyke this film features a screenplay by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett.

Warner Baxter is a wealthy man about town who is also a successful lawyer. One that has just helped secure an innocent verdict for a known criminal played by Nat Pendleton. Pendleton is so thankful he offers Baxter a bonus and a place in his organization. Baxter declines because although he knew Pendleton to be innocent of that particular crime he doesn’t want to be associated with him. Pendleton assigns two of his thugs to protect Baxter anyway knowing rival crime bosses will be none too happy with Baxter for his help in getting Pendleton "off".

Baxter’s well to do firm as well as his girlfriend Sue (Martha Sleeper) is unhappy with his association with Pendleton; both dump him. Sue favors Tom Siddall (Philip Holmes) who had been keeping her company while Baxter was working the trial. As an associate and friend of Baxter’s Siddall is reluctant to pursue Sue until Baxter says it’s O.K. (which he does). He then must break his relationship to Mimi Montagne (Mae Clarke) a spoiled socialite who doesn’t want to let him go. Mimi runs back to her boyfriend before Siddall Jim Crelliman (Henry Gordon) a gang leader in his own right. Crelliman enacts revenge by inviting Siddall to his place to have Mimi tell him off permanently. He suggests she does it on the balcony. Seconds later a shot is heard and rushing to the balcony the party sees Mimi dead with Siddall holding the gun.

Sue rushes to Baxter to enlist his help in clearing Siddall which he agrees to do (especially after he receives a phone call threatening him to stay away from defending Siddall). When Baxter asks Pendleton for help in getting his rival Crelliman he introduces him to Gertie Waxted played by Myrna Loy. Gertie was good friends with Mimi and lived in her same apartment building which is owned by Crelliman as well as being the site of Mimi’s murder. Baxter soon realizes that Loy knows things which can help convict Crelliman and decides to protect her letting her stay in his apartment. His manservant Layton humorously played by Charles Butterworth is told to keep Loy there.

From there the plot continues with somewhat predictable results. However there are some pre-code situations and innuendo throughout which are marvelous … and Pendleton nearly steals the picture.

This film was later remade as Society Lawyer (1939).

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