THE DEFENSE RESTS
US, 1934, 70 minutes, Black-and-white.
Jack Holt, Jean Arthur, Nat Pendleton, Arthur Hohl, Raymond Walburn, Harold Huber, Raymond Hatton, Ward Bond.
Directed by Lambert Hillyer.
This is quite an entertaining brief drama from the early 1930s, the focus on the defence lawyer who is amoral, works on the principle of defending the criminal for justice, enjoys publicity in the press. He is played by Jack Holt. Nat Pendleton, in an early role, does his usual shtick. Quite a number of American character actors in the supporting cast.
Jean Arthur had been performing in silent films and made an impression for over 20 years in talking films, from the 1930s to her performance in Shane, 1953. She is a law student, with an infatuation with the lawyer, determined to do the right thing, pursuing investigations, challenging the lawyer who has to face himself when the mother of an abducted child, with him defending the abductor, kills herself in his office.
Well written by expert Jo Swirling, quite prolific screenwriter of the period.
1. An entertaining mix of courtroom drama, crime, investigations?
2. The American setting of the period, the courts, prosecution and candidacy for DA, defence lawyers and their skills, the range of criminals? The different trials? The legal offices? The graduation at the University and the speech? Thugs and their offices? The musical score?
3. The title, the focus on Matt Mitchell, skill at law, wanting publicity, relationship with the press? Relationship with criminals? Age, personality? Congratulations from criminals getting off? His speech of the graduation, provocative, getting press notice? The murder of the gangster, the girl coming in, her story, preparing her defence, getting her consent? And the issue of the abducted child, its death? Pressure from the gang? Rocky as his assistant – and the wisecracks?
4. Joan, graduation, idealist, the effect of the speech, going to meet Matt, in the office, offering to work, her plain speaking? And yet her dismay at his amoral stances? Investigations, the interview with the mother of the abducted child? Getting documentation from the wife of the murdered man, the IOUs, getting the gun from the harbour? Building up pressure on Matt?
5. The mother of the abducted boy, Matt and his defence of the criminal, preparing him, in the court? The mother, coming into Matt’s office, challenging him, killing herself? The consequences?
6. The threats from the thug boss, sending the killers?
7. Matt, his reaction to the death of the woman, the pressure from Joan? His shrewdness in finding a solution, demanding more money from the accused, getting the marked notes, verifying that they were part of the ransom? Going to the prosecutor, the deal?
8. Joan, her devotion, integrity, love for Matt – and the possibility for changing him?
