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IMDbPro

The Defenders

  • TV Series
  • 1961–19651961–1965
  • 1h
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
439
YOUR RATING
Robert Reed and E.G. Marshall in The Defenders (1961)
  • Crime
  • Drama
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
439
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 Preston
    132 episodes132 eps • 1961–1965
    Robert Reed
    Robert Reed
    • Kenneth Preston
    132 episodes132 eps • 1961–1965
    Polly Rowles
    Polly Rowles
    • Helen Donaldson
    24 episodes24 eps • 1961–1962
    Ossie Davis
    Ossie Davis
    • District Attorney Daniel Jackson…
    8 episodes8 eps • 1961–1965
    J.D. Cannon
    J.D. Cannon
    • District Attorney…
    8 episodes8 eps • 1961–1965
    Lonny Chapman
    Lonny Chapman
    • District Attorney…
    8 episodes8 eps • 1961–1965
    John Boruff
    • Judge…
    8 episodes8 eps • 1961–1965
    Walter Klavun
    • Judge…
    7 episodes7 eps • 1961–1964
    Frank Overton
    Frank Overton
    • D.A. Bill Bryan…
    6 episodes6 eps • 1961–1965
    Robert Gerringer
    Robert Gerringer
    • The District Attorney…
    6 episodes6 eps • 1961–1964
    Kermit Murdock
    Kermit Murdock
    • D.A. Frank Larkin…
    6 episodes6 eps • 1961–1963
    Murray Hamilton
    Murray Hamilton
    • District Attorney…
    6 episodes6 eps • 1962–1965
    Judson Laire
    Judson Laire
    • Judge…
    6 episodes6 eps • 1961–1965
    Dolph Sweet
    Dolph Sweet
    • Detective #3…
    6 episodes6 eps • 1961–1964
    Lester Rawlins
    • Dr. Wuhl…
    6 episodes6 eps • 1961–1965
    Marc Connelly
    Marc Connelly
    • Judge…
    6 episodes6 eps • 1962–1964
    William Shatner
    William Shatner
    • Assistant District Attorney Earl Rhodes…
    5 episodes5 eps • 1961–1965
    Simon Oakland
    Simon Oakland
    • District Attorney…
    5 episodes5 eps • 1961–1965
    • Creator
      • Reginald Rose
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    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
    10/10
    Atty. Preston argues for principles against strict interpretation of the law.
    My elder brother (who is now a Metropolitan Trial Court judge) and I used to watch this every week back in the early '60s. I don't remember much of the episodes except I know I enjoyed most of them. It has a very inspiring trumpet led theme music as the camera took a long bird's eye view panning shot of a majestic courthouse with Greco-Roman architecture.

    I do remember Atty. Preston, the elder, (E.G. Marshall) often arguing on the basis of principles over strict or often shystery interpretation of the law used by his court opponents.

    One episode I distinctly remember is the one that involves a leader of an American neo-Nazi organization who organized a counter-demonstration to a Jewish rally or parade. Dressed in what looked like approximations of Sturmabteilung ("shock troops" or SA)uniforms, they peacefully stood on the sidewalks and shouted "Hitler had the right idea" repeatedly. They got arrested and charged with something in court. The Preston father and son lawyer team had the rather unpleasant but legally correct task of defending the neo-Nazi leader on the grounds of freedom of speech.
    helpful•15
    1
    • Deusvolt
    • Aug 1, 2006

    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
      • Defender Productions
      • CBS Televisión
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour

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