For the Defense
“Too CLEVER to be STRAIGHT”
Synopsis
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.
Top Cast
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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)
Release History & Theatrical Window
July 19, 1930
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- John Cromwell
- Screenplay & Story
- Oliver H.P. Garrett, Jules Furthman
- Original Title
- For the Defense
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 5m
- Production Studios
- Paramount Pictures
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
John Cromwell
Oliver H.P. Garrett, Jules Furthman
Charles Lang
George Nichols Jr.
Department Leadership Roster
John Cromwell
Director
Oliver H.P. Garrett
Writer
George Nichols Jr.
Editor
Travis Banton
Costume Design
Charles Lang
Director of Photography
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
NR: Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for For the Defense.
Featured In Curated Collections
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Legal Films
Courtroom dramas, legal thrillers, legal comedies and films about lawyers.
Pre-Code Hollywood
Pre-Code Hollywood films, 1929 to 1934.
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Frequently Asked Questions About For the Defense
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
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?
The principal cast of For the Defense includes William Powell, Kay Francis, Scott Kolk, William B. Davidson, John Elliott.
When was For the Defense released and how long is it?
For the Defense was released in 1930 with a total runtime of 1h 5m.
What is the age rating and content advisory for For the Defense?
For the Defense holds official age classifications: US: NR (Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.).