March 11, 1954 (1954-03-11) – June 23, 1955 (1955-06-23)
The Public Defender is an American legal drama television series that was broadcast on CBS from March 11, 1954, to June 23, 1955.[1]
Premise
Reed Hadley had the title role of public defender Bart Matthews. Each episode opened with him in a courtroom setting explaining the role of a public defender and the increase in the number of public defenders from the first one (created in January 1913). In each episode Matthews sought to show that his client was not guilty or to at least obtain a shorter sentence if the person was guilty. He sometimes had to investigate to learn more facts about the client's situation.[1] Hadley portrayed Matthews as "such a character as butter will not melt in his mouth. His hollow eyes and sepulchral voice are enlisted in the defense of parties at odds with the law by force of circumstances."[2]
Episodes were adapted from actual cases that occurred across the United States when people accused of crimes who could not afford an attorney were provided with one at no charge to them.[3] Matthews defended clients whose crimes ranged from bullying and hazing in schools to murder. Some of them ended up going to jail, while some who were guilty avoided punishment.[4] Producer Hal Roach Jr. initially was concerned that the series might encounter a shortage of ideas for stories, but as it progressed "a rich vein of dramatic material" was found to be available.[5]
At the end of each episode, a real-life public defender was recognized for outstanding work in that profession.[6]
Community involvement
Members of the public sometimes contacted Hadley, requesting his help with legal matters. He received 30 requests of that type per week when the show was most popular.[7] He and Edward N. Bliss Jr. of the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office, who was the series's technical advisor,[1] traveled around the United States for 20 days in early 1955 speaking to groups of people about the work of public defenders[8] and advocating the creation of additional public defenders' offices.[7]
Mort Lewis and Sam Shayon created The Public Defender, which was produced by Hal Roach Studios/Official Films.[1] Carroll Case was the producer.[4] Directors included Budd Boetticher.[1] The show was filmed in black-and-white.[9]
The show debuted as the summer replacement for Philip Morris Playhouse. It was initially sponsored by Philip Morris cigarettes,[1] and in March 1955, Revlon Products Corporation became the alternate-week sponsor.[10] "Grand Canyon Suite" was the theme.[1] It was initially broadcast from 10 to 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursdays. In July 1954 it was moved to 9-9:30 p.m. ET on Mondays[11] as the summer replacement for I Love Lucy.[5] In September 1954 it returned to its original time slot.[11]
Critical response
Hal Erickson, in his book, Encyclopedia of Television Law Shows: Factual and Fictional Series About Judges, Lawyers and the Courtroom, 1948-2008, wrote, "Public Defender was distinguished by a mile-wide streak of maudlin sentimentality."[1]
^"New Network Sponsorships". Ross Reports on Television including The Television Index. January 30, 1955. p. 15. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
^ abBrooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle (1999). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946-Present (7th ed.). New York: The Ballentine Publishing Group. p. 831. ISBN0-345-42923-0.
