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The Defenders

  • TV Series
  • 1961–19651961–1965
  • 1h
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
411
YOUR RATING
Episode guide
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Robert Reed and E.G. Marshall in The Defenders (1961)
CrimeDrama

A father and son lawyer duo take a variety of cases that often deal with the important issues of the day.A father and son lawyer duo take a variety of cases that often deal with the important issues of the day.A father and son lawyer duo take a variety of cases that often deal with the important issues of the day.

IMDb RATING
8.1/10
411
YOUR RATING
  • Creator
    • Reginald Rose
  • Stars
    • E.G. Marshall
    • Robert Reed
    • Polly Rowles
Top credits
  • Creator
    • Reginald Rose
  • Stars
    • E.G. Marshall
    • Robert Reed
    • Polly Rowles
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 15User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 14 Primetime Emmys
      • 15 wins & 19 nominations total

    Episodes132

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated

    Photos241

    The Defenders (1961)
    "The Defenders" 1961 CBS E. G. Marshall Copyright Gene Howard/ MPTV
    "The Defenders" 1961 CBS E. G. Marshall Copyright Gene Howard/ MPTV
    Martin Balsam in The Defenders (1961)
    Eva Gabor in The Defenders (1961)
    Kent Smith in The Defenders (1961)
    Martin Sheen in The Defenders (1961)
    Robert Duvall in The Defenders (1961)
    Edward Binns in The Defenders (1961)
    Danny Dayton in The Defenders (1961)
    Pat Hingle in The Defenders (1961)
    Evans Evans in The Defenders (1961)

    Top cast

    Edit
    E.G. Marshall
    E.G. Marshall
    • Lawrence Prestonas Lawrence Preston
    132 episodes132 eps • 1961–1965
    Robert Reed
    Robert Reed
    • Kenneth Prestonas Kenneth Preston
    132 episodes132 eps • 1961–1965
    Polly Rowles
    Polly Rowles
    • Helen Donaldsonas Helen Donaldson
    24 episodes24 eps • 1961–1962
    Ossie Davis
    Ossie Davis
    • District Attorney Daniel Jacksonas District Attorney Daniel Jackson…
    8 episodes8 eps • 1961–1965
    J.D. Cannon
    J.D. Cannon
    • District Attorneyas District Attorney…
    8 episodes8 eps • 1961–1965
    Lonny Chapman
    Lonny Chapman
    • District Attorneyas District Attorney…
    8 episodes8 eps • 1961–1965
    John Boruff
    • Judgeas Judge…
    8 episodes8 eps • 1961–1965
    Frank Overton
    Frank Overton
    • D.A. Bill Bryanas D.A. Bill Bryan…
    6 episodes6 eps • 1961–1965
    Robert Gerringer
    Robert Gerringer
    • The District Attorneyas The District Attorney…
    6 episodes6 eps • 1961–1964
    Kermit Murdock
    Kermit Murdock
    • D.A. Frank Larkinas D.A. Frank Larkin…
    6 episodes6 eps • 1961–1963
    Murray Hamilton
    Murray Hamilton
    • District Attorneyas District Attorney…
    6 episodes6 eps • 1962–1965
    Judson Laire
    Judson Laire
    • Judgeas Judge…
    6 episodes6 eps • 1961–1965
    Lester Rawlins
    • Dr. Wuhlas Dr. Wuhl…
    6 episodes6 eps • 1961–1965
    Marc Connelly
    Marc Connelly
    • Judgeas Judge…
    6 episodes6 eps • 1962–1964
    William Shatner
    William Shatner
    • Assistant District Attorney Earl Rhodesas Assistant District Attorney Earl Rhodes…
    5 episodes5 eps • 1961–1965
    Simon Oakland
    Simon Oakland
    • District Attorneyas District Attorney…
    5 episodes5 eps • 1961–1965
    Tim O'Connor
    Tim O'Connor
    • US DA James Evansas US DA James Evans…
    5 episodes5 eps • 1962–1964
    Joan Hackett
    Joan Hackett
    • Joan Milleras Joan Miller
    5 episodes5 eps • 1961–1963
    • Creator
      • Reginald Rose
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit
    Recent law school graduate (Robert Reed) joins his father (E.G. Marshall) as the pair tackle challenging legal cases, often involving issues which were highly touchy for the times (abortion, euthanasia, "un-American" activities, movie censorship). In most the freshly minted lawyer has much to learn from his father's extensive legal experience. —Ed Stephan <stephan@cc.wwu.edu>
    lawyerlawlegal dramafather son relationshipfather son partnership2 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Tense drama in and out of court in the noted series with E.G. Marshall and Robert Reed.
    • Genres
      • Crime
      • Drama
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      More than half of the actors who played jurors in 12 Angry Men (1957) have roles in the show. In addition to E.G. Marshall, Martin Balsam, Jack Klugman, Edward Binns, Joseph Sweeney, Ed Begley, and Robert Webber appeared in multiple episodes, often as District Attorneys or judges. Furthermore, Ossie Davis appeared in eight episodes as District Attorney Daniel Jackson. Davis played a juror in 12 Angry Men (1997). Series Creator Reginald Rose was nominated for an Oscar for writing 12 Angry Men (1957).
    • Connections
      Featured in TV Guide's 50 Best Shows of All Time: A 50th Anniversary Celebration (2002)

    User reviews15

    Review
    Top review
    Request for TV series The Defenders
    Of the 132 stories, 33 are now available. Couldn't we pool our resources to get this show on video DVD. There are high residuals for this show buy if enough people want it, they will pay the money. Most of the TV programs on DVD now were not worth watching even once. One exception is Death Valleys Days in B/W. Let's bug CBS for the remaining 99 episodes of the Defenders. All but three of them were very good. The three bad ones are a two parter The 600 Year Old Gang and Poltergeist. All of the rest were quality stories that would hold up well today. Some of the guest stars included Ruth Roman, Frank Overton, Fritz Weaver, and Robert Redford. Let's ban together and find out who has the rights to the Defenders.
    helpful•7
    1
    • lrachiele1-1
    • Jan 24, 2009

    FAQ1

    • This was one of the great TV series of its time, as I recall. Are any of the episodes available anywhere?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 16, 1961 (United States)
    • Also known as
      • Preston & Preston
    • Filming locations
      • Filmways Studios - 246 East 127th Street, East Harlem, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Plautus Productions
      • Defender Productions
      • CBS Television Network
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour

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