Criminal Lawyer Ending Explained: What Happened and Why?

What Happens at the End of Criminal Lawyer?

Barry Brandon, a criminal lawyer, visits the night club of Denny Larkin, his primary client, with Betty Walker, a spoiled society girl. The police raid the club and Brandon pleads that the whole group is guilty, just to get even with Larkin for a rebuke. On the same night in court, Madge Carter is on trial for disorderly conduct, and Brandon volunteers to defend her, and proves the case against her if a frame-up. Finding that she is penniless, Brandon hires her as his secretary, and falls in love with her. Brandon is appointed district attorney and has ambitions of becoming the state governor. Having dinner at Betty's home, she maneuvers him, while he is drunk, into marrying her. Later, Madge is a witness when Larkin shoots down a fellow gangster. By threatening Brandon's life, he forces her to commit perjury at his trial, and say he fired in self-defense. Brandon, the prosecuting attorney (who has had his marriage to Betty annulled) knows she is lying but doesn't know why.

Edward Killy's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Lee Tracy (Brandon)'s journey. The police raid the club and Brandon pleads that the whole group is guilty, just to get even with Larkin for a rebuke.

How Does Lee Tracy (Brandon)'s Story End?

• Lee Tracy: Lee Tracy's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
• Margot Grahame (Madge Carter): Margot Grahame's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
• Eduardo Ciannelli (Gene Larkin): Eduardo Ciannelli's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.

What Does the Ending of Criminal Lawyer Mean?

Criminal Lawyer's ending attempts to resolve the major plot threads, though some narrative elements involving Lee Tracy may feel rushed. Edward Killy's final act has been both praised for its ambition and criticized for its execution.