Public Defender
Public Defender is an American crime drama television series that aired in syndication from 1953 to 1955, starring Reed Hadley as Bart Matthews, a public defender who fights for the rights of the underprivileged accused. Unlike many crime shows of the era that focused on police work, Public Defender was notable for focusing on the legal defense side of the justice system, exploring the constitutional rights of the accused and the challenges of providing legal counsel to those who cannot afford it. Produced by Hal Roach Studios, the series was one of the first courtroom dramas on television. Several episodes are in the public domain.
This series is:SuspensefulEmotional
Production
Season 1
Eight Out of One Hundred
Bart Matthews takes on the case of a young man from a large family, one of eight children, who has been accused of a crime he may not have
Cornered
A desperate man finds himself cornered by circumstances that led him to crime, and Bart Matthews must uncover the truth behind the
Behind Bars
Bart Matthews represents a man already behind bars who maintains his innocence, fighting to uncover evidence that could exonerate his
Badge of Honor
A case involving a badge of honor tests Bart Matthews' commitment to justice, as he navigates the tension between institutional authority
The Prize Fighter Story
The Prize Fighter Story — season 1, episode 5 of Public Defender (1953).
The Clown
The Clown — season 1, episode 6 of Public Defender (1953).
Behind Bars
Behind Bars — season 1, episode 7 of Public Defender (1953).
Two Brothers
Two Brothers — season 1, episode 8 of Public Defender (1953).
Badge of Honor
Badge of Honor — season 1, episode 9 of Public Defender (1953).
Let Justice Be Done
Let Justice Be Done — season 1, episode 10 of Public Defender (1953).
Pauper's Gold
Pauper's Gold — season 1, episode 11 of Public Defender (1953).
The Stepchild
The Stepchild — season 1, episode 12 of Public Defender (1953).
The Auto Accident
The Auto Accident — season 1, episode 13 of Public Defender (1953).
Confession of Guilt
A woman confesses to shooting her ex-husband and is to stand trial for murder. Her boyfriend tells the public defender what really happened.
The Hobo Story
The Hobo Story — season 1, episode 15 of Public Defender (1953).
Youth Crime Ring
Youth Crime Ring — season 1, episode 16 of Public Defender (1953).
Third Floor Rear
Third Floor Rear — season 1, episode 17 of Public Defender (1953).
Out of the Past (aka Fifteen-Year Secret)
Out of the Past (aka Fifteen-Year Secret) — season 1, episode 18 of Public Defender (1953).
Call in the Night
Call in the Night — season 1, episode 19 of Public Defender (1953).
The Escape
The Escape — season 1, episode 20 of Public Defender (1953).
High Stakes
High Stakes — season 1, episode 21 of Public Defender (1953).
Lisa
Lisa — season 1, episode 22 of Public Defender (1953).
Baby for Sale
Baby for Sale — season 1, episode 23 of Public Defender (1953).
Think No Evil
A young man is arrested for robbery but claims he's innocent. The public defender's office goes to Las Vegas, where the man claims he was, to check up on his story. They find some disturbing news.
Little Egypt
Little Egypt — season 1, episode 25 of Public Defender (1953).
The Last Appeal
The Last Appeal — season 1, episode 26 of Public Defender (1953).
Season 2
Return of the Dead
Return of the Dead — season 2, episode 1 of Public Defender (1953).
Road to Nowhere
Road to Nowhere — season 2, episode 2 of Public Defender (1953).
The Big Race
The Big Race — season 2, episode 3 of Public Defender (1953).
The Arsonist
A disturbed teen-aged boy begins setting fires in the neighborhood following an altercation with his father.
Loyalty
Matthews takes the case of a cop killer who is depending on his little brother's false testimony to get him off. When the killer thinks Matthews is getting to friendly with his little brother, he fires Matthews.
The Do-Gooder
A man is in hospital after wrecking a car with an escaped fugitive, killing the fugitive. The man is in trouble for harboring the fugitive but he refuses to speak to Matthews, his Public Defender. Matthews quickly deduces that the man doesn't want to be linked to his father who is a prominent judge.
When Credit Is Due
When a father of 2 is temporarily disabled in an auto accident, his wife gets a job to make ends meet. However, unscrupulous debtors begin to garnish her wages and then her boss fires her. Matthews comes to the rescue.
Crash Out
An prison inmate just 3 weeks from parole participates in a prison break. His wife cannot understand why he would do such a thing and goes to Bart Matthews for help,
Destiny
The Public Defender's deputy almost wrecks his marriage when he insists on defending a 15-year old boy accused of assault and murder.
Hot Rod
The Public Defender defends a young man involved in an accident that killed a young girl. He investigates to see if he was accused because he was in a hot rod.
Until Proven Guilty
A man becomes desperate for money when he's told his son must have an operation immediately. After getting the money, his brother-in-law arrests him, telling him he got the money illegally. Now the Public Defender must find a way to get him out of jail and reunited with his family.
The Hijacked Truck
A man in love is accused of hijacking. The public defender hears a story about his courtship and the reason behind his arrest.
The Murder Photo
The answer to a murder case may just lay in the hands of a teenage boy using trick photography.
Open Season
It is the opening of deer season and the long-running feud between two old codgers has heated up again. When one is found shot in the woods, the other is of course the prime suspect.
Socrates
Guy from the hood gets framed for murder. Matthews enlists the help of Socrates, who runs the hood's homeless shelter, to obtain proof of his client's innocence.
Moonshine
During a raid on the Carter family still, a warden is shot and killed. Jesse Carter, fresh home from the service, is arrested for the killing.
The Man Who Couldn't Remember
A man is arrested for a robbery he didn't commit, but he can't remember what he did at the time of the robbery. His wife believes in his innocence. His only hope may be a mental hospital where they can help him remember.
Another World
The Bachman siblings are European refugees who've worked hard in America. But Hans begins to romance Wanda and convinces her to get him valuable plans. Erich ends the spy ring by shooting Hans but was it justified in Reed's definition of justice.
Deep Ditch
Matthews must defend a ditch-digger accused of attacking his boss. Further investigation reveals more complexity to the story.
Your Witness
Bart Matthews defends Karl Novak, who faces a second-degree murder charge following the grisly slaying of a storekeeper.
The Director
A once famous film director is now working as night-watchman at the film studio. One night he knocks down another film director, who once was his assistant director but now is the famous one, and takes 300 dollars from him. The public defender cannot understand why somebody would destroy all of his former reputation for such a small crime.
Mama's Boy
After a boy is discovered dead in the hallway at school, one of his classmates is arrested since he was caught fighting with him at the time of his death. The Public Defender sets out to find out if the boy's being a "Mama's Boy" may have been the cause for what the classmates claim was an accident.
The Big Steel
A man is accused of purposely running a co-worker down and is arrested for attempted murder. But the Public Defender is able to get him off after talking to his other co-workers. Oh, but wait, that's only half the story.
Jackpot
A kid is arrested for gang activity after mugging a cop, but the gang is being organized by some influential people, so the other gang members threaten to kill the kid if he talks. The Public defender must get to the bottom of things before someone else is hurt!
A Knowledge of Astronomy
An error in reading the stars provides the key clue in unraveling crimes committed at an oil drilling site.
The Hitchhiker
A soldier about to ship out of the country is on his way home to his pregnant wife. He gets a ride with a woman who takes him as far as the car rental place. Later that night, the man and his wife are arrested for stealing the car and hitting an old, blind woman. The Public Defender searches for the young woman who gave him a ride, but she seems to not exist.
Brutality
A man arrested for robbery swears he's innocent and only signed the confession because the arresting officer beat him up.
Cornered
An upcoming prizefighter wants to turn himself into Matthews for parole violation but the threats of small time hoodlums and the actions of a clueless police officer cause things to go wrong.
Time to Kill
When Peter Stone hears that a murder suspect fits his description, his extreme paranoia leads him to take actions that make him appear guilty. He is eventually convicted of a murder he had nothing to do with. Matthews appeals his case.
The Sapphire Mink
A young modal is arrested for stealing a mink, but she says she had permission to wear it.
The Stepfather
A teenage boy, stepson of the Police Chief, is arrested for breaking into a gas station. The Chief is convinced he can help him. Bart steps in to help and all is resolved in the end when the Chief faces the boy down.
A Pair of Gloves
Flippant small time hood and three time loser Allie Kilgore claims he bought out of town a pair of gloves that are the like the pair he is accused of taking in a home burglary.
End of the Line
An elderly Public Defender determines to keep busy during the weeks until his retirement comes through. He puts himself at great odds to keep a man from being sent to prison. Bart Matthews comes to his aid.
Clifford Pike
A man admits to murdering his aunt and grandmother, claiming insanity. But the case goes through all twists and turns before the amazing truth is revealed.
Eight Out of a Hundred
Eight Out of a Hundred — season 2, episode 37 of Public Defender (1953).
Condemned
An alcoholic vagrant is charged with the murder of a police officer.
Operation: CLEAT
Law enforcement agencies from the U.S. and Mexico join forces after the public defenders' office uncovers a car theft ring that is connected to drug trafficking.
Story of Nora Fulton
Matthews defends an ex-policeman's daughter when she is accused of murdering her boyfriend.
The Bad Ones
A 'Good Kid' gets caught up with the wrong crowd and his parents seem unable to do anything About it.
The Jockey and the Nun
Joey leaves his orphanage to be a jockey when an encounter with hotel owner Mr. Barry gets him returned. But after the hotel is burned Joey is arrested. Only Sister Anthony continues to believe him during the trial.
Failure
Failure — season 2, episode 43 of Public Defender (1953).
All That Glitters
All That Glitters — season 2, episode 44 of Public Defender (1953).
Details
- Years
- 1953–1955
- Seasons
- 2
- Episodes
- 68
- Genres
- Crime, Drama
- TMDB Rating
- 6.3/10 (4 votes)
- Maturity Rating
- NR
- Quality
- SD
- Audio
- English
- Status
- Public Domain Mark 1.0
- Studio
- Hal Roach Studios
