Defenders of the Law

"Defenders of the Law" (1931) is often astutely directed and it certainly has its moments. Admittedly, the comedy relief played by Al Cooke's inept photographer often strikes a jarring note of slapstick, but the main plot is cleverly scripted and often forcefully directed. John Holland gives the performance of his career as Police Captain Bill Houston, while top-billed Edmund Breese actually has a small role as the Police Commissioner, who is also the heroine's father, would you believe? The heroine is played by Catherine Dale Owen, while Mae Busch has a blink-and-you'll-miss-her role as a policewoman in disguise. The script provides us with an interesting premise, pitting an honest police captain, Holland, against a totally ruthless gangster who once saved his life! Now that is a neat switch! The gangster is supplied with top dialogue and is very charismatically played by Robert Gleckler. For the most part, this movie is well acted, involvingly directed and produced on a top Poverty Row scale.