Never Plead Guilty Blog

Howl Movie Completed Shooting Jon Hamm as Jake Ehrlich Sr.

2010-01-06T04:00:00.000-08:00

Howl Movie Completed

Jon Hamm as Jake Ehrlich Sr.

Sundance Film Festival 2010 Opener

The movie Howl staring Jon Hamm as Jake Ehrlich along with James Franco as Allen Ginsberg has finished shooting and completed editing and the movie now heads to the Sundance Film Festival where it will be the opening movie to kick-off the 2010 Sundance Film Festival season.

The Howl movie features an excellent full-star Hollywood cast including Jeff Daniels and Marie-Louise Parker who starred in The West Wing TV series.

It also stars the ultra-talented David Strathairn as the prosecutor, as seen below sitting on the right. David Strathairn starred in The Bourne Ultimatum, L.A. Confidential, A League of Their Own and appeared in 3 episodes of the Sopranos as well as in the first episode of Miami Vice. He also starred as Edward R. Murrow in Good Night & Good Luck.

We see Jon Hamm below playing Jake "The Master" Ehrlich. Jon Hamm is the star of Mad Men, which is probably the best TV show today.

Jon Ham really looks like Jake Ehrlich Sr. and it looks like they got the wardrobe correct, but Jake Ehrlich Sr., would have never had white from his shirt showing under his vest like in the upper photo. Also, I don't see Jon Hamm's pocketwatch chain!?! They definitely got the handkerchief correct.

Jon Hamm of Mad Men fame plays San Francisco Attorney, Jake Ehrlich as seen above. Mad Men is considered by many, many people to be the best show on TV today, and Jon Hamm is considered to be one of the best actors of this generation. He also happens to be a dead-ringer for a young Jake Ehrlich.

James Franco (below) plays Allen Ginsberg and I heard he did a great job!!! James Franco is considered to be one of the greatest actors in Hollywood today. He starred most recently in Milk, and also in all three Spiderman trilogy movies and is and has a reoccurring role on General Hospital. He also played James Dean in a made-for-TV movie.

Allen Ginsberg's Howl poem represented the birth of the mid 1950s Counterculture Revolution that completely changed America, and some would say–the world. Allen Gisnberg was a Beat Poet in San Francisco and in 1955 he wrote him most famous piece named "Howl." It is important to understand the context of the mid-to-late 1950s. Dwight Eisenhower was the President of the United States at the time and the U.S. was very, very conservative.

Allen Ginsberg was close with other beat Poets that Jake Ehrlich defended, including Jack Kerouac who is most famous for writing On The Road. Anther famous Beat Poet and contemporary of Allen Ginsberg was William S. Burroughs who wrote Naked Lunch & Exterminator.

Power To The People

The poem Howl, was censored in San Francisco by the Police Department. The ACLU asked Jake Ehrlich to represent Allen Ginsberg and San Francisco City Lights Bookstore owner Lawrence Ferlinghetti. Jake accepted the case but insisted on handling the case pro-bono because he understood what amazing significance it would have for many generations to come and refused to be paid for his services.

Jake Ehrlich accepted the case primarily because he understood the significant First Amendment rights under Freedom Of Speech which were in jeopardy. Jake Ehrlich was a staunch believer in Jeffersonian Democracy and Thomas Jefferson's ideal of Power To The People. Jake Ehrlich also believed in revolution and Nobbles-oblige.

Jake Ehrlich was also staunchly apposed to McCarthyism and strongly believe that American's must be free to think and speak their own thought, no matter what.

Jake Ehrlich won the censorship case and had his clients acquitted and won their freedom, and that freedom paved the way for not only the Beat Poets, but also for the Hippie Movement in San Francisco which took place in San Francisco's Haight Ashbury that reached its crescendo in 1968 during The Summer Of Love. It also gave rise to the women's feminist movement and E.R.A., Movement as well as the gay and lesbian movement.

Jake Ehrlich stepped in to help people who were being unfairly persecuted for their belief systems because he knew that was what the founding fathers intended to achieve when they wrote the Constitution of The United States as well as–and most importantly–The First Amendment.

In the photo below we see Allen Ginsberg on the right side of the photo with his life-long companion Peter Orlovsky as depicted above in the movie Howl by James Franco as Allen Ginsburg on the right and Arron Tveit as Peter Orlovsky.

Here is a list of links to reviews of the movie:

• Ginsberg's Howl Resounds on Film [The UK Gaurdian] January 19, 2010

Sexiest Man Alive To Play Jake Ehrlich in "Howl"

2009-06-16T18:54:00.001-07:00

Sexiest Man Alive To Play Jake Ehrlich

In 2008, People Magazine voted Mad Men TV Show star Jon Hamm to be on their list for the sexiest man alive. Jon Hamm will be playing Jake Ehrlich in the upcoming major motion picture named "Howl."

Howl is being produced by Academy Award nominated dirctor, Gus Van Sant. Gus Van Sant directed, Good Will Hunting and most recently, MILK. The movie was written and will be directed by the Academy Award winning team of Rob Epstein and Jeffery Friedman.

"Howl" is taken from the famous 1956 poem written by Allen Ginsberg (1927-1997). In 1957, poet and owner of San Francisco's City Lights bookstore, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, who is 90 today, was Censored and charged with obscenity for selling "Howl."

Many major literary figures served as defense witnesses in the case. Jake Ehrlich defended Ginsberg and Ferlinghetti and won the case. Lawrence Ferlinghetti faced a $500 fine and 6 months in jail for publishing Allen Ginsberg's poem. The ACLU stepped in and hired Jake Ehrlich to represent Ferlinghetti. Jake Ehrlich took the case pro-bono and ended up writing a book about it named "Howl of the Censor."

James Franco (MILK) is set to play Allen Ginsberg and Jon Hamm (pictured below), the star of the TV show, "Mad Men," will play Jake Ehrlich, and the movie is set to open next year.

The Howl Trial

The fifth number in the Pocket Poets Series was Allen Ginsberg’s Howl. The book was seized in 1956 by San Francisco police. Ferlinghetti and Shig Murao, the bookstore manager who had sold the book to police, were arrested on obscenity charges. After charges against Murao were dropped, Ferlinghetti, defended by Jake Ehrlich and the ACLU, stood trial in SF Municipal court.

The publicity generated by the trial drew national attention to San Francisco Renaissance and Beat movement writers. Ferlinghetti had the support of prestigious literary and academic figures, and, at the end of a long trial, Judge Clayton Horn found Howl not obscene and acquitted him in October 1957.

The landmark First Amendment case established a key legal precedent for the publication of other controversial literary work with redeeming social importance.

The way Jake Ehrlich won the case was by reading from a bible that he had camouflaged to make it look like a normal book and he read vulgar excerpts from it without the jury knowing what it was.

Years later Jake Ehrlich got Jack Kerouac out of San Quentin on a writ of habeus corpus.

Jake Ehrlich is pictured above with Lawrence Ferlinghetti who owns City lights book store.

Jake Ehrlich on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson Video

2008-12-16T13:15:00.000-08:00

Here is a video of Jake Ehrlich Sr., on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson back in New York in 1967.

Gene Roddenberry, DeForest Kelly & Jake Ehrlich 1960

2008-11-28T15:20:00.000-08:00

Three different TV shows were based on Jake Ehrlich Sr:

Perry Mason
Sam Benedict
333 Montgomery

333 Montgomery was written and directed by Gene Roddenbury and DeForest Kelly played Jake Ehrlich. As you can see from the photo below, DeForest Kelly was outfitted to look just like Jake Ehrlich.

After 333 Montgomery Gene Roddenbury and DeForest Kelly went on to work together in the science fiction mega-hit TV series, Star Trek.

Gene Roddenberry on the Set of Star Trek...

2008-10-30T14:40:00.000-07:00

From Jake Ehrlich to Star Trek

The hand-signed photo from Gene Roddenberry to Jake "The Master" Ehrlich reads:

Master:

Greatest writing compliment ever received – "333 Montgomerey Steet" review which accused me of stealing the dialog from Ehrlich trial records. –Gene Roddenberry

Gene Roddenberry was close friends with Jake Ehrlich Sr. Gene Roddenbery wrote and directed the pilot for 333 Montgomery which starred Deforest Kelly playing the character based on Jake "The Master" Ehrlich. Just after 333 Montgomery Deforest Kelly went on to play Dr. McCoy on "Bones" on Star Trek which Gene Roddenberry wrote and directed.

You can watch the pilot for 333 Montgomery in the post below this one:

333 Montgomery TV Show Pilot Staring Gene Rodenberry...

2008-10-30T13:42:00.000-07:00

333 Montgomery

333 Montgomery was one of three TV shows based on Jake Ehrlich's career.

It was written and produced by Gene Roddenberry and was named 333 Montgomery because that was Jake Ehrlich's Law Office address for many years.

The other two TV shows based on Jake Ehrlich's career were Perry Mason staring Raymond Burr and Sam Benedict starring Edmund O'brien..

Below you can watch the pilot for 333 Montgomery which stars DeForest Kelly playing The Master. DeForest Kelly went on to play Dr. McCoy (Bones) on Star Trek which Gene Roddenberry also produced.

333 Montgomery originally aired on June 13, 1960. Jake Ehrlich personally chose DeForest Kelly to play him. There were two different versions of the pilot that aired, and this is one of them:

The Master...

2008-10-02T16:28:00.000-07:00

Jake Ehrlich Jr. Self Portrait at age 18...

2008-10-02T16:24:00.000-07:00

My father Jake Ehrlich Jr., was extremely artistic and he drew this self portrait when he was 18 years old in 1938 for his father, Jake Ehrlich Sr.

Young Jake Ehrlich Sr., with Family...

2008-08-31T23:31:00.000-07:00

Jake Ehrlich Sr., is pictured on the far right next to his mother. His father, Harry Ehrlich is sitting on the chair with his son Alvin Ehrlich on his lap.

Myron Ehrlich is pictured on the far right and Easu Ehrlich is sitting to the lower right of Jake. Jake's younger sister Sarah Ehrlich was not born yet. Photo was probably taken around 1908 in Maryland.

Marjorie Mercer Ehrlich–Jake's Ehrlich's Wife...

2008-08-31T23:08:00.000-07:00

This is a photo of Marjorie Mercer Ehrlich, Jake Ehrlich's wife and the mother of their daughter Dora Jane Ehrlich and Jake Ehrlich Jr.

Marjorie Mercer was born in Spring Green Wisconsin on October 5, 1895 and died in San Francisco in September of 1982.

Marjorie graduated from college and was a dietician for the U.S. Army during World War I.

Captain Myron Ehrlich

2008-08-31T22:38:00.000-07:00

Myron Ehrlich was one of Jake Ehrlich's younger brothers.

Myron Ehrlich was also a lawyer and was a Captain and Judge Advocate in the U.S. Navy.

After he retired from the Navy he went on to have a private practice in Washington D.C.

During World War II he was the legal officer to the commander of U.S. Naval Forces in Europe.

Myron was appointed inspector general of all naval courts. He also served as special assistant to both the judge advocate general and the under secretary of the Navy.

Myron Ehrlich was the Aid de camp to Admiral Halsey. Myron Ehrlich wrote the Japanese Surrender document for World War II.

Myron Ehrlich practiced law for 40 years and tried many cases in front of the Supreme Court of the United States.

He once said "Judges have forgotten that they are nothing but lawyers with robes on."

IF JAKE WERE HERE TODAY

2008-08-01T12:21:00.000-07:00

IF JAKE WERE HERE TODAY

JAMES FARRAGHER CAMPBELL. ESQ.

I just finished a wonderful lunch with Nate Cohn, one of San Francisco’s great criminal lawyers. Nate related some extremely interesting stories of his life as a new and struggling criminal lawyer in San Francisco back in 1948 and how Jake Ehrlich helped and inspired him in his practice.

Nate Cohn & James Farragher Campbell in 2008

As Nate began his career, after passing the Bar in December of 1947, he had three jury trials under his belt before the early part of 1948. He remembered one case where he was retained for $150 to represent a black woman from Mississippi who was charged with assault. It was around Christmas time, and having possessed the instincts of a criminal lawyer, he sold the Christmas angel to a friendly judge. This client was also a bail jumper on a felony case, which he packaged together with the misdemeanor, and took it all to the felony judge and got both cases dismissed. Such sleight of hand at the Hall of Justice did not escape the notice of the reigning monarch of the criminal bar, Jake Ehrlich. He took note of Nate Cohn and monitored his progress.

Within a short time, Jake approached Nate and congratulated him on what he was seeing this young lawyer doing in the criminal courts. In those days a preliminary hearing (a hearing before a judge who had to determine if there was probable cause to hold the defendant over for trial in the superior court) usually only took about a half hour or so. Now Nate Cohn was conducting preliminary hearings that were taking half days, full days and on some occasions a week to complete. Nate was turning the PX, as it is referred to by criminal lawyers, into a mini trial. Jake expressed his admiration for such diligent and tenacious advocacy and told Nate: “You’re going to be a great lawyer. I never saw anyone put so much time and energy to try to win a case at the PX.” Jake was absolutely correct, Nate Cohn went on to be one of the greatest criminal defense lawyers in San Francisco and across the country.

Pictured above Melvin Belli, Jake Ehrlich & Nate Cohn in 1965

It is no small tribute to Jake Ehrlich that he was always extending a hand to other lawyers in which he saw promise. The same can be said of Nate Cohn. He did the same for me as a young lawyer as Jake did for him.

Nate fondly remembers one day he got a call from Jake inviting him to lunch. Now this was something because it was public knowledge that Jake Ehrlich had lunch every day with Lou Lurie at Jack’s Restaurant. They had a big table right inside the door; the movers and shakers of the City on public display everyday. Nate admitted he was a little intimidated to receive such an invitation but got up his courage and went nonetheless.

Jake introduced a young Nate Cohn to Lou Lurie (Powerhouse of the City). “Lou, this is Nate Cohn, an outstanding lawyer.” Lou took an immediate liking to Nate and a new history began.

Jake advised Nate: “Beware of the ‘B & Ps”. The expression stands for “bleeders and pleaders.” These are unscrupulous lawyers who take money and then just plead the client guilty without giving them any defense.

Jake Ehrlich told Nate, “If you want a jury to go with you, look like a lawyer. Knock yourself out to look good for them, show them you respect them, they will respect you. Present yourself with a professional image. Have your clothes and case in order.” As we all know Jake was always impeccably dressed. He was a standout and there was no mistake on what his profession was to any onlooker. You knew immediately he was a top shelf lawyer.

One story about Jake that really touches my heart, and which hits close to home, is the time Nate went over to see Jake at his house in Marin. Upon arriving at the house he was shown out to the back yard to find Jake sitting next to the pool completely dressed in French cuff shirt, necktie and suit pants. Nate told Jake, “This is Marin; it’s very causal over here, why are you dressed like that?” Jake replied, “I don’t have any casual clothes.”

Even if you never met Jake Ehrlich, you would know him immediately. He had the most distinguished look of any lawyer in the City. He always sported a very bright white and exaggerated pocket square. To this day, I have had older people on juries tell me that they remember Mr. Ehrlich and how great he dressed.

Nate related that Jake told him a story about himself and how he tried to attract clients when he was starting out as a lawyer. When Jake was a young lawyer himself he would wait until he had a hundred dollars. He would then get a one hundred dollar bill, go to a good bar in the tenderloin (not like it is today), put the one hundred dollar bill on the bar and announce to the entire bar, “The drinks are on Jake Ehrlich the lawyer.”

Jake was named the “Ring Master” of a charitable group called the Saints and Sinners. Tommy Harris was the Jester and started referring to Jake as “Master.” Some say this is how Jake’s moniker (“The Master”) came about. One of their projects was to raise money for a school milk program. Nate had arranged for his mother to come down to Montgomery Street outside his office at 105 Montgomery Street and set up a small card table to sell tickets for this program. She would sell the tickets two or three days a week from 11:00 to 3:00 each day.

Jake would make it a point to stop by after his lunch and sit down and chat with her. Nate remembers how impressed his mother was that the “Master” would be so nice and spend this time with her.

Jake Ehrlich made favorable impressions on thousands of people in his life. He helped thousands of people. These are just a few little tales of his lasting magic on the City and its people.

Happily, I can report that if Jake were here today he would see his fine tradition of helping his fellow man being practiced by many San Franciscans. He would also see that many of his colleagues in the criminal defense bar practice what he did so well–extend a helping hand to our newer members who are just getting started.

Indeed, when he helped Nate Cohn, little did he know he was helping a young lawyer who went on to become one of the greatest criminal lawyers in the City’s history. Nate Cohn would go on to start the American Board of Criminal Lawyers (http://www.abcl.us), the most prestigious group of criminal lawyers in the country.

Jake may have thought he was helping one lawyer, but it turned out he was helping hundreds.

The one statement that stood out in my mind that Nate made about Jake Ehrlich, as we were finishing our lunch, was:

“Jake was a great lawyer, a great gentleman and his word was his bond.”

What more could a lawyer hope to have as an epitaph?

[James Farragher Campbell has been a California based defense attorney since 1975. You can learn more about James by clicking here.]

Jake Ehrlich & Loius Lurie with San Francisco's Finest...

2008-07-15T19:51:00.000-07:00

Jake Ehrlich Standing behind his lifelong best friend, Louis Lurie and San Francisco's Finest. This photo is taken in Louis Lurie's office.

Nancy Reagan First Lady of The United States & Friend...

2008-07-15T19:24:00.001-07:00

Jake Ehrlich was close friends with Nancy and Ronald Reagan. Jake's wife, Marjorie was very close friends with Nancy's mother.

Dinner Party with Family & Friends...

2008-07-15T18:58:00.000-07:00

Jake Ehrlich Sr., is pictured sitting on the far left with his granddaughter Cynthia sitting on his lap. His brother Esau is sitting on the right side of him, next is his son Jake Ehrlich Jr.; his wife Marjorie Mercer Ehrlich and standing between Jake Jr., and Marjorie in the white dress is his daughter, Dora Jane Horton next to her husband Edgar Waverly Horton III. The man standing on the far left is Paul Baker.

Letter From Attorney Jerry Giesler...

2008-07-15T18:40:00.000-07:00

Jerry Giesler served as co-council on the Alexander Pantages case and later wrote this letter to Jake Ehrlich.

Click on letter to enlarge:

IF JAKE WERE HERE TODAY

2008-07-08T14:31:00.000-07:00

IF JAKE WERE HERE TODAY

James Farragher Campbell

I am honored that Jake Ehrlich III would invite me to write a quarterly column for the Never Plead Guilty Blog.

Why? Because his grandfather, the Master, Jake Ehrlich, was the person who started me thinking of becoming a lawyer. Let me set the scene.

I was a senior in high school attending Marmion Military Academy in Aurora, Illinois, just out side of Chicago. I had my heart set on becoming a sea captain and was ready to enter the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point.

I was on guard duty, which was exciting because that meant I could lawfully skip some of my classes. Somehow, I came across Jake Ehrlich’s book, Never Plead Guilty. I started to read it and couldn’t put it down. I was hooked!

Good-bye to the Merchant Marine Academy and hello to college, the liberal arts and onto law school. After reading The Lost Art of Cross-Examination by Jake Ehrlich, I knew it was the life of a lawyer for me.

And, after I read the rest of his books, including Ehrlich’s Criminal Law, I knew it was the life of a criminal defense lawyer for me. I have never regretted my decision.

It was these books that lead me to other books by San Francisco lawyers, including a series of books, Criminal Law Seminar, by Nathan Cohn.

Nate has his own unique story and place in the great history of the San Francisco criminal defense bar as well as the nation’s criminal defense bar. He is a living legend and I am so honored that he sponsored me to join the American Board of Criminal Lawyers. The ABCL is by invitation only and you must pass very strict standards in order to be considered for membership. Your admission into this prestigious group is only by a unanimous vote of approval by the Board of Governors.

Not only did I get in, but in 2007 I was elected President of the American Board of Criminal Lawyers. Somehow I know this all started with Jake writing a book, me reading the book, and being nurtured by all the other lawyers who Jake also brought along the path of criminal defense.

It was Jake that also made me think of coming to San Francisco. I have never regretted that decision either.

My San Francisco office is housed in the historic and very beautiful Stock Exchange Tower at 155 Sansome Street in the heart of the old financial district. On my walk to my office I feel the spirit of those that made San Francisco. I still feel the buzz of commerce, the gamblers from the gold fields, the Big Four, Black Bart, Emperor Norton and yes, the Master, Jake Ehrlich. Who would not be energized coming down the street from Nob Hill into the canyons of the financial district?

As I sit in my office chair behind my desk I can easily recall memories of cases and people I have come across in the practice of criminal law. Hung on the walls, or set about the office, I see all significant objects, mementoes and pictures of my practice and my life. I believe memories should be seen and not put away in the attic. There is also a touch of the opulent for added drama, red walls with grand damask curtains and gilded chairs. I refer to my decorative style as “eclectic opulence.”

One object hanging on my wall is of special interest with regard to Jake Ehrlich. It was given to me by his grandson as a memento of how Jake has influenced my life. This object was originally given to Jake Ehrlich many years ago by the warden of San Quentin Prison as a present to Jake for his work in the criminal justice system. It is the lock and key to the front prison gate. A gate that never had to be opened for any of Jake’s clients!

So, my quarterly column will be “If Jake Were Here Today.” It will describe changes in the City, the law, and certainly changes in the sartorial splendor since Jake left us. I will ponder what would Jake think and what would Jake say?

I hope to hear from all of our readers as well on what they think Jake might make of the changes today in our society and our little sanctum of San Francisco.

I also hope to interview other lawyers that Jake had helped along their way, influencing them in the process. This will be a true labor of love.

Until next time,

All the Best,

James Farragher Campbell

www.SFCriminalDefensePro.com

James Farragher Campbell has joined the Editorial Staff of The Never Plead Guilty Blog...

2008-05-29T02:18:00.000-07:00

James Farragher Campbell, Esquire.

I am so excited to announce that top-notch San Francisco Trial Attorney, James Farragher Campbell will be joining the Editorial Staff of the Never Plead Guilty Blog.

James is, in many ways, the Jake Ehrlich of today and is a senior partner in Campbell, Demetrich & Jacobo located in San Francisco.

Fascinatingly, the reason James became an attorney was because he read one of Jake Ehrlich's books when he was a young man and was so inspired by The Master's career he decided to become an attorney and follow in Jake's footsteps.

James is the President of The American Board of Criminal Lawyers which is an exclusive members-only society of the nation's best criminal defense lawyers.

James is also an extremely elegant and dapper Gentle Man who believes strongly in sartorial splendor as well as the notion that elegance knows no pain.

James Farragher Campell is pictured above in his San Francisco office. Notice the walls are red like Melvin Belli's office.

James is going to have a column on the Never Plead Guilty Blog named "If Jake Were Here Today" where he will share what he thinks Jake's perspective would be today on many issues.

James is also going to share his legal expertise with us on different issues and bring us up to date on how legal issues have evolved since The Master practiced law.

James will also be conducting some fascinating interviews with friends of The Master.

James Farragher Campbell is an excellent San Francisco attorney and has been a loyal friend over the years.

I am looking forward to his insightful participation in our exploration into the life, career and times of Jake "The Master" Ehrlich.

Welcome on-board James!!!

Jake Ehrlich III

Howard Hughes On The Phone...

2008-05-22T17:05:00.000-07:00

I remember having a conversation with a receptionist from my grandfather's office.

She said one time the phone rang and she answered the Phone "Garfield 1-4530"

She said a man with a very masculine voice said "Jake Ehrlich, Please."

She asked "May I tell Mr. Ehrlich who is calling?" The voice on the phone responded "Tell him it is 'The Man.'"

She respond "Uh, who?" The voice repeated "Tell him it is The Man!" She asked, "Is Mr. Ehrlich expecting your call?" He said yes. "May I give Mr. Ehrlich your first name?"

The voice said, "Just tell him it is The Man. He will know who it is"

She put the stranger on hold and called my grandfather and told him she had a man on the phone who kept insisting that he wanted to speak with Jake and that his name was "The Man."

Jake said, "Oh, that is Howard Hughes. Put him through." So from that point forward whenever she answered the phone and the voice said it was "The Man" she would put him through.

Howard Hughes talking on the phone while shaving

Years later Jake was having a conversation with one of his proteges named Harry Waynright.

Jake was complaining to Harry that he had not been sleeping well because his home phone would ring at 2 or 3 in the morning all the time and it would be Howard Hughes wanting to ask Jake for advice about one thing or another involving Howard Hughes' acquisition of Las Vegas casinos.

Harry said to Jake "I am always up late, why don't you give him my number?" Jake did and Harry started taking the late night calls.

After Jake told Harry about how Howard Hughes kept calling in the middle of the night, Harry asked Jake if he had sent Howard a bill? Jake said no. Harry said, "Why don't we send him a bill for $50,000 and see if he pays it?" Jake agreed.

So they sent Howard Hughes a bill and he paid it.

Jake represented Howard Hughes for four decades.

Harry Wainwright...

2008-05-22T16:28:00.000-07:00

Harry Wainwright was one of Jake Ehrlich's proteges.

When Harry first became an associate of Jake's, Jake said in confidence to a family memeber, "Harry is the only man I have ever been afraid of. He is so talented and smart, I had to keep him close because I did not ever want to have to go up against him in a court of law."

Harry was tuff as nails and damned proud of it.

As a matter of fact, Harry was an ace Air Force Pilot in World War II, and got shot down out in the Pacific Ocean. The Japanese collected Harry from the ocean and put him in a Japanese concentration camp.

Of course, Harry escaped and was soon back up in the skies shooting down Mitsubishi fighter planes and bombers. When Harry retired from the Air Force he was a Major.

Harry Wainwright at the San Francisco Hall of Justice

Harry was best friends with my father, Jake Ehrlich Jr.

When I was a little kid I could not stand Harry because he was always really rough with me. I remember he and my father Jake would watch Monday night football and drink Coors beer and scream at the TV set.

On day when I was 18 years old I had a conversation with Harry and and I said something about a friend of mine.

Harry interrupted and said, "You think you have friends!?!"

I said yes.

Harry asked me how many true friends I thought I had?

I defensively said, "Well, quite a few."

Harry laughed and asked "How many!?!"

I said, "Probably about 6 or 7 true friends."

Harry responded "Look, you are lucky if you can count all of your friends on one God dammed hand–and that is if you have three of your fucking fingers blown off!!!!"

Years later when I was in law school, I had another conversation with Harry where I asked him some serious questions.

I said "Look, I want to know the bottom line on my Grandfather Jake. I know there is much more to him than meets the eye but I can't figure it out?"

Harry said, "I am not going to spell it out for you. You are going to have to figure it out yourself, but I will give you a clue to get you started: Murder Inc."

In my Naiveté, I asked Harry what Murder Inc., was?

He said, "I am not going to spell it out for you. You are in law school, go look it up. It is all there in the California Reporter. All you have to do is look it up!!!"

Vincent Hallinan & Jake Ehrlich Debating whether God Exists

2008-05-14T14:51:00.000-07:00

This photo is from a live television debate between San Francisco Attorney Vincent Hallinan and Jake Ehrlich arguing about whether or not God exists.

This One Speaks For Itself...

2008-05-14T14:41:00.000-07:00

United Nations Ambassador George Killion and Jake Ehrlich

2008-05-14T14:19:00.001-07:00

George Killion was one of Jake Ehrlich's best friends.

George Killion was the President of American President Shipping Lines and went on to become the United States Ambassador to the United Nations.

George was the CEO and on the Board of Directors for MGM and was involved in the creation of the show Sam Benedict which was based on Jake Ehrlich.

In the years that Killion was the U.S. Ambassador to the United States, he headquartered his offices in Jake Ehrlich's Law Offices.

This photo was taken in Louis Lurie's San Francisco Office.

Saints & Sinners Publicity Shot

2008-05-14T00:29:00.001-07:00

Jake Ehrlich was a huge Philanthropist. He developed an extremely successful charity organization to take care of school children named Saints and Sinners. This is a publicity shot that was taken in front of a San Francisco Cable Car.

Jake Ehrlich with the Shah of Iran

2008-05-14T00:10:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth Spencer, Shah of Iran, Mae Jeannie Peterson, Artie Samish, Jake Ehrlich.

Jake Ehrlich and Louis R. Lurie

2008-05-13T23:33:00.000-07:00

Jake Ehrlich and Louis R. Lurie with Entertainer Liberace...

2008-05-13T23:32:00.001-07:00

Louis Lurie was Jake Ehrlich's best friend. Louis Lurie owned and lived in the Mark Hopkins Hotel on top of Nob Hill in San Francisco. In this photo they were having lunch at the Top of The Mark.

Jake Ehrlich with Raymond Burr

2008-05-13T23:15:00.001-07:00

The TV Show Perry Mason was based on Jake Ehrlich's career. Actor Raymond Burr who played Perry Mason lived with Jake for two weeks to learn his mannerisms.

Melvin Belli, Jake Ehrlich and Author Alex Hailey

2008-05-13T22:59:00.001-07:00

F. Lee Bailey with Jake Ehrlich

2008-05-13T22:30:00.000-07:00

Attorney, F. Lee Bailey was a Protege of Jake Ehrlich Sr.

I had a conversation with Lee and he said "Jake and I only ever had one argument, and that was whether or not cross-examination could be taught. Jake proved me wrong."

Lee also said, "Mel Belli used to introduce me as his illegitimate son, and Jake used to introduce me as his son."

Jake Ehrlich the Prize Fighter...

2008-05-13T21:58:00.000-07:00

Jake Ehrlich put himself through law school by boxing as a Prize Fighter. He loved boxing.

Jake Ehrlich and Jack Dempsey

2008-05-13T21:54:00.001-07:00

Jake Was Pals with world Champion Heavyweight Boxer, Jack Dempsey. Tax Attorney Tevis Jacobs is standing behind Jake Ehrlich Sr.

A Couple of Great Jack Dempsey quotes:

"You're in there for three-minute rounds with gloves on and a referee. That's not real fighting."

"A Champion is someone who gets up when he can't."

Claudette Colbert

2008-05-13T21:37:00.000-07:00

Signed Photograph from Actress and friend Claudette Colbert

Thank Heaven For Little Girls....

2008-05-12T16:26:00.001-07:00

Maurice Chevalier and Louis Lurie had the same birthday and used to celebrate it together. Here is the gang singing "Thank Heaven For Little Girls."

From Left To Right:

Unknown
George Christopher (Mayor of San Francisco)
Unkonwn
Maurice Shevalier (French Actor, Singer and Popular Entertainer)
Unknown
Jake Ehrlich
Unknown

The Gang

2008-05-12T16:02:00.001-07:00

From left to right in Louis Lurie's San Francisco Office:

Loius Lurie (Jake's Best Friend and Soulmate)
Jake Ehrlich
Joe Alioto (Mayor of San Francisco)
Henri Lewin (Hilton Holtels Director)
Unknown
Fred Furth (Attorney & Another Protege of Jake Ehrlich)
Scott Carpenter (NASA Astronaut & Aquanaut)
Unknown

Melvin Belli, Jake Ehrlich and Nate Cohn

2008-05-12T12:55:00.000-07:00

Melivin Belli was another Protege of Jake Ehrlich's.

They were close friends and had a fascinating relationship. Melvin was nicknamed "The King of Torts."

Pictured above from left to right: Melvin Belli, Jake Ehrlich, Nate Cohn. All Three were San Francisco Lawyers and close friends.

Ferry Building Story. And Jack Ruby story. Melvin on Star Trek. Jake taught him the art of showcasing. Example the Pantages Broom Closet.

Jake Ehrlich with Actor Edward G. Robinson

2008-05-11T16:01:00.001-07:00

Joe Alioto Mayor of San Francisco with Jake Ehrlich

2008-05-11T15:49:00.000-07:00

Lou Lurie was very unhappy with how Joe Aliot0 allowed Markets Street to go to hell.

Jimmy Durante and Jake Ehrlich

2008-05-11T15:31:00.000-07:00

Jake Ehrlich with American Singer, Songwriter, Pianist, Comedian and Actor Jimmy Durante.

Jake Ehrlich with Rex Bell, Lt. Governor of Nevada

2008-05-11T14:40:00.000-07:00

Jake Ehrlich pictured below with hist two grandsons, David and Joseph Cherney along with the Lt. Governor of Nevada, Rex Bell.

Prior to becoming the Lt. Governor of Nevada, Rex Bell was a Western Movie Star.

The Pantages Trial [Case File]

2008-05-11T14:34:00.000-07:00

This was the case that made Jake's career because Walter Wintchell kept writing about it. Kennedy offered her $5000 but she only ever received $500.

Eunice Kennedy woke up from a coma and kept asking for Jake Ehrlich.

The way they won the case was by building a mack up of the broom-closet and proved that non-consentual sex could not have occurred in the closet.

Unice Pringle's land lady in Garden Grove, CA got her to come to course and when Unice saw the landlady she broke up.

Jake Ehrlich with Joe Dimaggio

2008-05-11T14:27:00.001-07:00

In the Photo below, as a Joke, Jake was brought out in a wheelchair to throw out the first pitch.

Jake looks exactly like Buster Keaton in this image:

Two famous San Franciscan's together at Funston Park in the San Francisco Marina to get a San Francisco Police Athletic League charity baseball game started. Jake was the lead attoney for the San Francisco Police Officers Association for over 40 years.

Can you teach somebody to think like you do?

2008-05-09T20:51:00.000-07:00

I remember one time Grandfather and I were having a conversation and I asked him if he thought he could teach others to think and perform the way he did and he said "I can't teach you to do what I do, but I can teach you how to bob and weave."

Jake Ehrlich Sr. was a prize fighter before he was a lawyer so this answer did not come as a surprise.

Then I asked him if he had ever met anybody like himself and he responded "There is nobody like me!!! Nobody can duck and weave and shadowbox like me."

It may sound like like he was bragging, but as Dizzy Dean the great baseball player once said, "It ain't bragging if you can do it."

The Innocent Are Not So Innocent...

2008-05-09T19:32:00.000-07:00

One time I was watching the TV show Dragnet, and Grandfather happended to walk by the TV when Dragnet said "The names have been changed to protect the innocent. "

Grandfather laughed as he walked by and said under his breath: "No one is 100% innocent."

Howard Hughes Censorship Case with Jane Russell: The Outlaw [Case File]

2008-05-09T18:11:00.000-07:00

The Outlaw

Directed by Howard Hughes

Starring Jane Russell

In 1943 Howard Hughes directed and released a highly controversial movie name "The Outlaw" staring the stunningly beautiful bombshell, Jane Russell.

The Outlaw launched Jane Russell's career and turned her into a Hollywood movie-star. The western genre movie is about a fictional relationship between Doc Holliday and Billy the Kid and their feud over a beautiful woman named Rio.

Howard Hughes was obsessed with Jane Russell's beauty, breasts and cleavage and wanted to sleep with her but she was happily married and devoutly Catholic. I know this because when I was a child, I asked Jane about this. More on that later.

To make a long story short, the film was considered to be way to racy and was censored in theaters across the United States. Howard turned to my Grandfather Jake and asked him to take the case. When they first discussed the case they had a huge ego clash.

Howard being a strong alpha male told Jake that he was close friends with William Randolf Hearst and he thought they should try and embarass the censors in the court of pubic opinion through the media.

Jake disagreed and told Howard the only way he would take the case was if Howard allowed Jake to handle the case in any way he saw fit. Howard was shocked because he was used to dictating to everybody. Jake and Howard argued back and forth and Howard finally agreed to trust Jake.

Jake subpoenaed paintings from the San Francisco De Young Museum that were considered to be classical masterpieces and had them placed under cloth covers in the court room.

When the trial began, Jake addressed the jury and said, "Ladies and Gentlmen of the jury, we bring our children and grandchildren to the De Young Museum and expose them to these paintings and tell them they are masterpieces that have marked the upward surge of mankind!!!"

He then had all the cloth covers removed to expose paintings of completely naked men and women in all kinds of strange and awkward sexual postions.

Then Jake said to the jury "Do you mean to tell me that we expose our children to this artwork where they see completely naked women, yet the fact that Howard has exposed a few inches of Mrs. Russell's bosom is somehow pornographic!?!"

The just immediately stopped Jake and dismissed the case. The judge then apologized to the jury for wasting their time.

On the surface the case may have seemed to be inconsequential, but the first ammendment implactions were deeply profound. Had this case gone in the opposite direction, the entire sexual revolution of the 60s may not have occurred.

Decades later in 1956 Jake took on the case of the Howl and the Censor which also had deeply profound long term first amendment implications.

Back to the Jane Russell story. When I was a child, members of my family were friends with Jane Russell. One day we were getting ready to go out to dinner with Jane and I asked my Aunt, Dora Jane, who was Jake's daughter, why Jane Russell was so famous and what her background was.

My aunt said she was a huge Hollywood Movie star and that there was a huge contravereay about whether or not she had an affair with Howard Hughes. Keep in mind at the time, i was twelve years old.

We were all sitting at the dinner table at a San Francisco restaurant named the Brazen Head in the San Francisco Marina. I was bored out of my skull with the adult conversation taking place which I could not relate to.

I kept staring at Jane Russell and I remember thinking to myself, "She is supposed to be some gorgeous sex bomb?" All I really new of Jane was that I used to see her on TV doing bra commercials which was just about as interesting to my 12 year old mind as walking on broken glass barefoot.

This just did not make sense to me because at the time I remember Jane had short hair almost cut like a man. There was a quite break at the table and I turned to Jane and said "So is it true that you had an affair with Howard Hughes?"

You should have seen the expression on Jane's face!!! and the table went completely silent. You could have heard a pin drop. I caught her and everybody at the table completely off guard!!

Jane starred at me with this look of shock on her face and then suddenly realized I was just a naive child with apparently no sense of fear around touchy subjects. She started to giggle and then everybody at the table started to laugh. I could not figure out what was so funny?

After Jane stopped laughing, she turned to me and said "No. We did not have an affair. I am not saying he did not want to, but I was happily married and not interested.

To be candid with you, I always wondered if Jane was being honest with me or if she was just embarrassed and did not want to tell the truth. We'll probably never know and it would probably be easier to figure out who killed J.F.K. than to figure out whether Jane Russell actually had an affair with Howard

Hughes.

Speaking of the J.F.K. Assassination, in later articles we are going to be looking into Jake's relationship to the case. As a matter of fact, when Oswald was arrested, his mother called Jake and asked him to represent her son. Of course before Jake could answer, Oswald was dead. The next day Jake got a call from Jack Ruby's brother asking him to represent her brother.

Jake was the first lawyer to interview Jack Rubenstien after he killed Oswald.

Also, kind of fascinating as the following article points out, Howard Hughes basically invented the underwire bra to emphasize Jane Russell's bosom as you will see. What a world!!!

The following is from an article in Wikipedia:

The Outlaw is a 1943 western movie, directed by Howard Hughes and Howard Hawks (uncredited), which turned Jane Russell into one of Hollywoods movie legends. The film also starred Jack Buetel, Thomas Mitchell, and WAlter Houston.

Although the movie was completed in 1941, it was released to only a limited showing two years later. It did not see a general release until 1946. The delay was a result of Hughes defying the Hays Code, which set the standard of morally acceptable content in motion pictures. By showcasing Jane Russell's breasts in both the movie and the poster artwork, The Outlaw became one of the most controversial pictures of its time. Hughes even created a new type of bra just for this movie.

In 1941, director Howard Hughes, while filming The Outlaw, felt that the camera did not do justice to Jane Russell's large bust. He employed his engineering skills to design an underwired, cantilevered bra to emphasise her assets. Hughes added rods of curved structural steel that were sewn into the brassiere below each breast. The rods were connected to the bra's shoulder straps. The arrangement allowed the breasts to be pulled upward and made it possible to move the shoulder straps away from the neck. The design allowed for any amount of bosom to be freely exposed.

Regardless, the emphasis on her breasts proved too much for the Hollywood Production Code Administration, which ordered cuts to the film. To obtain the Boards' required Seal of Approval, Hughes reluctantly removed about 40 feet, or a half-minute, of footage that featured Jane Russell's bosom. He still had problems getting the film distributed, so Hughes schemed to create a public outcry for his film to be banned. The resulting controversy generated enough interest to get The Outlaw into the theaters for one week in 1943, before being withdrawn due to objections by the Code censors. When the film was finally released in 1950, it was a box office hit.

Ironically, Russell later asserted that she never wore Hughes' bra, and that Hughes never noticed.[1] [2]

Even after Hughes did an "end-run" around the censors, the film was banned on a local level by several towns.

The film was colorized twice.

If you want to read a fascinating article on the history of the Bra and how wearing one contribute to women developing breast cancer, click here.

The Outlaw [1943]

You can watch the entire historic Outlaw movie directed by Howard Hughes, starring Jane Russell right here:

Sam Benedict TV Series...

2008-05-09T17:23:00.000-07:00

Unknown to the audience at the time, grandfather wouldn't allow SAM to wear his handkerchief trademark or his cufflinks. This is why. Grandfather never carried anything with him to court and insisted the series follow some guildlines.

When the producers didn't meet grandfathers' expectations he was very upset. Then the network placed the show in a timeslot and the story could not be developed properly. The series only lasted a short time.

After going over the audio transcript between grandfather and the producers I found they didn't follow any of the information he gave them. Maybe we will have to reproduce these stories and get it right.

Sally Rand, The Beautiful Fan Dancer...

2008-05-09T17:22:00.000-07:00

Jake Ehrlich defended the world famous Fan Dancer, Sally Rand.

Treasure Island for indecent exposure which he got overturned, freedom of expression.

Story about Girl Who Played Jake Sr. in the Howl

2008-05-09T17:03:00.001-07:00

Ronald Reagan with Jake Ehrlich Sr.

2008-05-09T16:58:00.000-07:00

This Picture of Jake Ehrlich Sr., was taken in 1943 with his pal and future American President, Ronald Reagan.

The irony is that the woman in the center is Jake Ehrlich III's Maternal Grandmother, Evelyn Bramy. In other words, and this is confusing, but this photo has Jake Ehrlich III's Paternal Grandfather, Jake Ehrlich Sr., with his Maternal grandmother.

Jake Ehrlich III with President Ronald Reagan.

Billie Holiday sings the Blues

2008-05-09T16:26:00.001-07:00

In this Photo Jake Ehrlich and Billie Holiday are awaiting the verdict for her narcotics possession charges.

It turns out that Colonel George White who was a Federal Agent and CIA operative had apparently framed Billie Holiday by getting her boyfriend to set her up.

Jake Ehrlich got conviction overturned on appeal.

Photo of Jake Ehrlich Sr., on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson

2008-05-09T16:22:00.001-07:00

Side by Side, What a Trip...

2008-05-09T16:16:00.001-07:00

Hey Joe, I was tripping on how similar the old man's facial expressions in these two photographs.

Here is a photo of me with Grandfather on my 5th Birthday

2008-05-09T16:00:00.001-07:00

Here is a Photo of Jake Ehrlich Jr.

2008-05-09T15:57:00.000-07:00

Here is a photo of my father Jake Ehrlich Sr.

Great Photo of The Master in his office...

2008-05-09T15:45:00.000-07:00

Jake Ehrlich with Alvin Malnik and George Raft

2008-05-09T15:35:00.000-07:00

Here is a great photo of Jake Ehrlich with one of his proteges, Attorney Alvin Malnik of Miami Florida.

The signature on this photo reads:

To Jake,

Truly a "Master" in all respects.

With much admiration and freindship.

–Al Malnik

Pictured in the photo below are Alvin Malnik, Jake Ehrlich and the movie star George Raft.

It is amazing how much in these photos Al Malnik looks like Al Pacino's character, Michael Corleone from the major motion picture, The Godfather. Every time I see, the Godfather Part 2, where Micheal and his family have moved to Lake Tahoe in the early 1960s to start building up Las Vegas and Reno, I think of this photo of Al wearing the sharkskin suit. They look so similar and so cool!!!

In the Godfather 2 Al Pacino looks exactly like Al Malnik

As a matter of fact, in the Godfather part 2, Francis Ford Coppola has a character named Hyman Roth who is based on the real life Myer Lanske. Ironically, Al Malnik was Myer Lanske's attorney many, many years ago. Reality is stranger than fiction!

Today Al is an extremely successful entrepreneur and great philanthropist.

Jake Ehrlich with Kirk Kerkorian

2008-05-09T15:19:00.000-07:00

Here is a photo of Jake Ehrlich with Kirk Kerkorian taken in the late 60s.

Never Plead Guilty and Never say "How Come?"

2008-05-09T15:10:00.000-07:00

I remember I went to get a haircut with Grandfather and when we were walking home I started to ask him "Grandfather, how come t?" He cut me off and said, "Never use the word how come.

How come is not a word. Replace it with "Why?"

Then he said, "Also remember never to use the word "because."

What I Know...

2008-05-09T14:31:00.000-07:00

I remember Grandfather telling me "Whenever you use the word Know always underline it, because there is a huge difference between knowing and thinking or believing something.

A more recent photo of me...

2008-05-09T12:57:00.000-07:00

This is a more recent photo of me with a few good friends, former President of The Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev and his lovely wife, Raisa Gorbachev.

A few more pictures...

2008-05-09T12:10:00.001-07:00

I realize this is off point but I thought I would share a few more photos to give you some context.

The first phone is one of my favorites. It is from my wedding and young Jake who was 9 years old at the time. Jake came up with this funny idea to hide his pocketknife in his necktie and he was showing me how cool it was.

In the second photo I am pictured with my father Guy Cherney who was a famous crooner in his younger days, along with my younger brother David Cherney and his lovely wife, Nancy.

In this picture David looks just like Mick Jagger.

Better Introduction...

2008-05-09T11:55:00.000-07:00

I was so excited I forgot to mention how I am related to Jake Ehrlich Sr.

Jake had two children with our Grandmother Marjorie Mercer Ehrlich; My Mother, Dora Jane Ehrlich and my uncle, Jake Ehrlich Jr.

I am sharing this photo so you can see my Mother, Dora Jane, and My Grandmother Marjorie.

This classic photo was taken on my wedding day on February 20, 1975.

From left to right: Dora Jane Horton (my mother), Young Jake Ehrlich III, Myself (Joseph Cherney), Grandmother, Marjorie Mercer Ehrlich, my lovely wife, Christa Cherney and my stepfather, Edgar Waverly Horton III.

This is Great!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-05-09T11:44:00.000-07:00

Hi Jake & Everybody!!!

It is about time we did this!

Grandfather would be proud that we have come this far and I think there are so many fascinating untold stories that we all have to share and enjoy.

I am going to get this party started with this first image of Grandfather holding me in his arms when I was two years old.

Joe

Welcome To The Never Plead Guilty Blog

2008-05-09T11:34:00.000-07:00

Hi Everybody,

My name is Jake Ehrlich III, I am the grandson of Jake Ehrlich Sr.

Some of my family members, including my cousin/brother Joseph Cherney are also going to be blogging about the life and times of our Grandfather, Jake "The Master" Ehrlich.

I think this is going to be very exciting and historically informative.

I hope you enjoy it.

Warmest regards,

Jake Ehrlich III

San Francico