For the Defense (1930)

5.3/10 65 min Crime Drama Romance

Overview

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.

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

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)

Recommendations

City Streets
A Free Soul
Fallen Angel
They Won't Believe Me
The Perfect Weapon
The Web
The Locket
Manhattan Melodrama
The Wild One
You Only Live Once
Indemnity
The Blue Gardenia
The Paradine Case
Absence of Malice
Bad Girl
Party Girl
Plunder Road
My Brilliant Career
The Regeneration
The Golden Bowl