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  • For the Defense (1930)
  • Passed
    65 min | Crime, Drama, Romance
For the Defense (1930)
Passed
65 min | Crime, Drama, Romance

William Powell plays William Foster, 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 ...See moreWilliam Powell plays William Foster, 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 (Kay Francis), who is two-timing him, although she wants to marry him. She kills a man driving while out with her other man, Jack Defoe (Scott Kolk), 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, which he had done for the first time to save Irene. After his plea, the the prosecuting DA confides that Jack would have gotten off... Written by Becie See less
Read more: Plot summary
Director
Writers
Oliver H.P. Garrett (scenario) | Charles Furthman (story) (as Charles Furthmann)
Cinematographer
Charles Lang (photographed by)
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Status
Edit Released
Updated Jul 19, 1930

Release date
Jul 19, 1930 (United States)

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Cast

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26 cast members
Name Known for
William Powell
William B. Foster William B. Foster   See fewer
Kay Francis
Irene Manners Irene Manners   See fewer
Scott Kolk
Jack Defoe Jack Defoe   See fewer
William B. Davidson
District Attorney Herbert L. Stone District Attorney Herbert L. Stone   See fewer
Harry Walker
Miller Miller   See fewer
James Finlayson
Parrott Parrott   See fewer
Bertram Marburgh
Judge Evans Judge Evans   See fewer
Ernie Adams
Eddie Withers (uncredited) Eddie Withers (uncredited)   See fewer
Billy Bevan
Drunk (uncredited) Drunk (uncredited)   See fewer
Allan Cavan
Jailer (uncredited) Jailer (uncredited)   See fewer
John Cromwell
Second Reporter at Trial (uncredited) Second Reporter at Trial (uncredited)   See fewer
Sidney D'Albrook
Speakeasy Customer (uncredited) Speakeasy Customer (uncredited)   See fewer
Mike Donlin
Snooper (uncredited) Snooper (uncredited)   See fewer
John Elliott
Joseph McGann (uncredited) Joseph McGann (uncredited)   See fewer
Ruth Hall
Juror (uncredited) Juror (uncredited)   See fewer
George 'Gabby' Hayes
Ben--Waiter (uncredited) Ben--Waiter (uncredited)   See fewer
Robert Homans
Lineup Lieutenant (uncredited) Lineup Lieutenant (uncredited)   See fewer
Edward LeSaint
Judge at First Trial (uncredited) Judge at First Trial (uncredited)   See fewer
William McCall
Juror (uncredited) Juror (uncredited)   See fewer
Guy Oliver
Jury Foreman at First Trial (uncredited) Jury Foreman at First Trial (uncredited)   See fewer
Kane Richmond
Young Man at Speakeasy (uncredited) Young Man at Speakeasy (uncredited)   See fewer
Syd Saylor
Evening Sun Reporter (uncredited) Evening Sun Reporter (uncredited)   See fewer
Rolfe Sedan
Juror (uncredited) Juror (uncredited)   See fewer
Charles Sullivan
Charlie--Chauffeur (uncredited) Charlie--Chauffeur (uncredited)   See fewer
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