The Spellbinder
“Trapped - Between the Daughter he Loved and the Law He Defied!”
Synopsis
Jed Marlowe is a brilliant, scheming, unscrupulous criminal lawyer whose specialty is defending criminal he knows is guilty but gets them off through loop-holes or bribery. Then his daughter, misled by her father’s courtroom performance, but unaware of his back-room tactics, marries the killer her father has just unjustly save from the electric chair. What’s a poor father to do?
Top Cast
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Lee Tracy
Jed Marlowe
Barbara Read
Janet Marlowe
Patric Knowles
Tom Dixon
Allan Lane
Steve Kendall
Linda Hayes
Miss Simpson
Morgan Conway
Mr. Carrington
Robert Emmett Keane
Judge Butler, Second Trial
Roy Gordon
Third Trial Judge
Robert Strange
First Trial Judge
Elliott Sullivan
Harry 'Ice Box' Swinnerty
Leonid Kinskey
Harry Beldon, Saxophone Player
Stanley Blystone
Court Clerk, Second Trial (uncredited)
Paul E. Burns
Hotel Clerk (uncredited)
Chester Clute
Dr. Hillary Schunk (uncredited)
Chester Conklin
Courtroom Extra (uncredited)
Clyde Dilson
Duffy, Second Trial Bailiff (uncredited)
Julia Faye
Courtroom Extra (uncredited)
Bess Flowers
Nightclub Extra (uncredited)
Release History & Theatrical Window
July 28, 1939
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Jack Hively
- Screenplay & Story
- Thomas Lennon, Joseph Fields
- Original Score
- Roy Webb, Gene Rose, Rex Dunn
- Original Title
- The Spellbinder
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 9m
- Production Studios
- RKO Radio Pictures
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Jack Hively
Thomas Lennon, Joseph Fields, Joseph Anthony
Roy Webb, Gene Rose, Rex Dunn
Russell Metty
Theron Warth
Cliff Reid
Department Leadership Roster
Jack Hively
Director
Thomas Lennon
Screenplay
Joseph Fields
Screenplay
Cliff Reid
Producer
Theron Warth
Editor
Renié
Costume Design
Russell Metty
Director of Photography
Rex Dunn
Original Music Composer
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 The Spellbinder.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring The Spellbinder.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Spellbinder
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Spellbinder about?
Jed Marlowe is a brilliant, scheming, unscrupulous criminal lawyer whose specialty is defending criminal he knows is guilty but gets them off through loop-holes or bribery. Then his daughter, misled by her father’s courtroom performance, but unaware of his back-room tactics, marries the killer her father has just unjustly save from the electric chair. What’s a poor father to do?
Who directed The Spellbinder?
The Spellbinder was directed by Jack Hively.
Who stars in The Spellbinder?
The principal cast of The Spellbinder includes Lee Tracy, Barbara Read, Patric Knowles, Allan Lane, Linda Hayes.
When was The Spellbinder released and how long is it?
The Spellbinder was released in 1939 with a total runtime of 1h 9m.
Who composed the musical score for The Spellbinder?
The original motion picture soundtrack for The Spellbinder was composed by Roy Webb, Gene Rose, Rex Dunn.
What is the age rating and content advisory for The Spellbinder?
The Spellbinder holds official age classifications: US: NR (Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.).