For the Defense (1930)
Too CLEVER to be STRAIGHT
William Foster is a slick attorney who stays within the law, but specializes in representing crooks and shady characters. He's adept at keeping them out of jail, winning acquittals, and having decisions reversed, thus springing criminals out of prison. He is romantically involved with dancer Irene Manners, who is two-timing him, although she wants to marry him. She kills a man driving while out with her other man, Jack Defoe, who takes the blame. Unfortunately, a ring Foster had just given Irene is found at the crime scene. Foster ends up defending Jack, but when the ring is found, he thinks he is protecting Irene, so pleads guilty to jury tampering.
Director: John Cromwell
Genre: Crime, Drama, Romance
Runtime: 65 min
Release Date: July 19, 1930
Cast
- William Powell - William Foster
- Kay Francis - Irene Manners
- Scott Kolk - Jack Defoe
- William B. Davidson - Dist. Atty. Stone
- John Elliott - McGann
- Thomas E. Jackson - Daly
- Harry Walker - Miller
- James Finlayson - Parrott
- Charles West - Joe
- Charles Sullivan - Charlie
Screenplay
Cinematography: Charles Lang
Editing: George Nichols Jr.
Production: Paramount Pictures
Country: United States of America
Language: English
Original Language: en
Themes
Courtroom Drama
Keywords
lawyer, pre-code
More Films by Director: John Cromwell
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is For the Defense about?
- William Foster is a slick attorney who stays within the law, but specializes in representing crooks and shady characters. He's adept at keeping them out of jail, winning acquittals, and having decisions reversed, thus springing criminals out of prison. He is romantically involved with dancer Irene Manners, who is two-timing him, although she wants to marry him. She kills a man driving while out with her other man, Jack Defoe, who takes the blame. Unfortunately, a ring Foster had just given Irene is found at the crime scene. Foster ends up defending Jack, but when the ring is found, he thinks he is protecting Irene, so pleads guilty to jury tampering.
- Who directed For the Defense?
- For the Defense was directed by John Cromwell.
- Who stars in For the Defense?
- For the Defense stars William Powell, Kay Francis, Scott Kolk, William B. Davidson, John Elliott, Thomas E. Jackson.
- How long is For the Defense?
- For the Defense has a runtime of 1h 5m (65 minutes).
- What genre is For the Defense?
- For the Defense is a Crime, Drama, Romance film.
- Where was For the Defense produced?
- For the Defense was produced in United States of America.
- What are the themes of For the Defense?
- The themes of For the Defense include: Courtroom Drama.