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48
Rotten Tomatoes
27

For the Defense (1930)

Overview

DramaRomanceCrime

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.

Flag of USUS
Content warning
lawyerpre-code
John Cromwell

Director

John Cromwell

ReleasedJul 19, 1930
Runtime1h 5m
StatusReleased
Paramount Pictures

Top Cast

William Powell

William Powell

William Foster

Kay Francis

Kay Francis

Irene Manners

Scott Kolk

Scott Kolk

Jack Defoe

William B. Davidson

William B. Davidson

Dist. Atty. Stone

John Elliott

John Elliott

McGann

Thomas E. Jackson

Thomas E. Jackson

Daly

James Finlayson

James Finlayson

Parrott

Charles West

Charles West

Joe

Charles Sullivan

Charles Sullivan

Charlie

Ernie Adams

Ernie Adams

Eddie Withers

Bertram Marburgh

Bertram Marburgh

Judge Evans

Edward LeSaint

Edward LeSaint

Judge at first trial

George 'Gabby' Hayes

George 'Gabby' Hayes

Ben (the waiter)

Gallery

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