Film

For the Defense

1930 · 1h 5m · Crime · Drama · Romance

Too CLEVER to be STRAIGHT

IMDb

6.4

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.

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

Ernie Adams

Eddie Withers

Bertram Marburgh

Judge Evans

Edward LeSaint

Judge at first trial

George 'Gabby' Hayes

Ben (the waiter)

• John CromwellDirector
• Oliver H.P. GarrettWriter
• Jules FurthmanStory
• Charles LangDirector of Photography
• George Nichols Jr.Editor

Release date

July 19, 1930

Status

Released

Original language

English

Runtime

1h 5m

Rated

NR

Genres

Crime, Drama, Romance

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