The Star Witness (1931)
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- Passed
- 1h 8min
- Crime, Drama
- 22 Aug 1931 (USA)
- Movie
Members of a family witness two murders, but the gang uses threats, violence and kidnapping to try to keep the members from testifying.
Director:
Writers:
Award:
- Nominated for 1 Oscar.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Walter Huston | ... |
District Attorney Whitlock
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| Frances Starr | ... |
Ma Leeds
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| Grant Mitchell | ... |
Pa Leeds
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| Sally Blane | ... |
Sue Leeds
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| Ralph Ince | ... |
'Maxey' Campo
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| Edward J. Nugent | ... |
Jackie Leeds
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| Dickie Moore | ... |
Ned Leeds
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| Nat Pendleton | ... |
Big Jack
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| George Ernest | ... |
Donny Leeds
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| Russell Hopton | ... |
Deputy Thorpe
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| Charles 'Chic' Sale | ... |
Private Summerill
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Guy D'Ennery | ... |
Jack Short - Henchman (uncredited)
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| Edgar Dearing | ... |
Jim Sockett - Policeman (uncredited)
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| Mike Donlin | ... |
Mickey - Henchman (uncredited)
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| Tom Dugan | ... |
Deputy Brown (uncredited)
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| Robert Elliott | ... |
Deputy Williams (uncredited)
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Ben Hall | ... |
Orville - Timekeeper at W.P. Randolph (uncredited)
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| George Irving | ... |
Judge (uncredited)
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| Allan Lane | ... |
Young Deputy at the Leeds Home (uncredited)
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| Noel Madison | ... |
Horan - Henchman (uncredited)
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| Fletcher Norton | ... |
Dopey - Henchman (uncredited)
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| Bob Perry | ... |
Baldy - Henchman (uncredited)
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| Harry Tenbrook | ... |
Henchman (uncredited)
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Harry Watson | ... |
Boy Baseball Player (uncredited)
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| William A. Wellman | ... |
Company Workman (uncredited)
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Directed by
| William A. Wellman | ||
Written by
| Lucien Hubbard | ... | (original story by) |
| Lucien Hubbard | ... | (dialogue by) |
| Bud Barsky | ... | (story) (uncredited) |
Cinematography by
| James Van Trees | ... | (photography) |
Editing by
| Harold McLernon | ... | (edited by) |
Art Direction by
| John Hughes | ... | (as John J. Hughes) |
Makeup Department
| Lucille D'Antoine | ... | hair stylist (uncredited) |
| Perc Westmore | ... | makeup artist (uncredited) |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Sylvan Karp | ... | second assistant director (uncredited) |
| Frank Shaw | ... | assistant director (uncredited) |
| Dolph Zimmer | ... | assistant director (uncredited) |
Art Department
| Martin Hershey | ... | props |
| Lashus | ... | assistant props |
Sound Department
| J. Thompson | ... | sound crew |
| Alf Burton | ... | sound crew (uncredited) |
| Oliver S. Garretson | ... | sound (uncredited) |
| Frank Maher | ... | sound crew (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Jim Carter | ... | gaffer |
| Wesley Anderson | ... | additional camera: Leeds home exterior (uncredited) |
| Jerome Ash | ... | additional camera: Leeds home exterior (uncredited) |
| Irving Glassberg | ... | second camera operator (uncredited) |
| Louis Jennings | ... | second camera operator (uncredited) |
| Mac Julian | ... | still photographer (uncredited) |
| Vernon Larson | ... | assistant camera (uncredited) |
| Bobby Robinson | ... | second camera operator (uncredited) |
| George Satterfield | ... | gaffer (uncredited) |
| Russell Simon | ... | assistant camera (uncredited) |
| Richard Towers | ... | additional camera: Leeds home exterior (uncredited) |
| Willard Van Enger | ... | additional camera: Leeds home exterior (uncredited) |
| Homer Van Pelt | ... | still photographer (uncredited) |
Music Department
| Leo F. Forbstein | ... | conductor: Vitaphone Orchestra |
| Alois Reiser | ... | composer: title music (uncredited) |
Additional Crew
| Clem Peoples | ... | technical advisor (uncredited) |
Production Companies
- Warner Bros. (presents)
Distributors
- Warner Bros. (1931) (United States) (theatrical)
- Vitagraph Limited (1931) (Canada) (theatrical)
- Warner Brothers Pictures (1931) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Warner Brothers First National Films (1932) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Associated Artists Productions (AAP) (1956) (United States) (tv)
Special Effects
Other Companies
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
The Leeds family is thrown right in the middle of a war between the cops and gangland when they are the only witnesses to two murders committed by gang kingpin Maxey Campos. Initially positive in their identification of the murderer, their attitudes change when young Donny Leeds is kidnapped by Campos' boys. No amount of threatening with perjury by D.A. Whitlock can get them to tell the truth - except for cantankerous old Grandpa, civil war veteran, who berates his family for failing to do their civic duty, whatever the cost. Though having his doubts as to the credibility of his star witness, Whitlock is nevertheless taken aback when he learns Grandpa has disappeared just before he is to testify.
Written by Doug Sederberg |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | "Don't let those white livered rats tell us how to run our country!" (Print Ad- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, ((Pittsburgh, Penna.)) 29 August 1931) See more » |
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| Parents Guide | Add content advisory for parents » |
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Additional Details
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Did You Know?
| Trivia | "Variety" reported that the film was rushed into release because of a gang shooting in Harlem in which several children were shot and the police could not get witnesses to talk. The Motion Picture Herald also reported that Warner Bros. gave the proceeds of the first two performances at The Winter Garden to the families of the children who were shot during gang warfare in Little Italy. See more » |
| Goofs | Two men are shot in the back while running away, but they clutch their chests as they fall down. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Version of The Man Who Dared (1939). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Yankee Doodle See more » |
| Crazy Credits | Intro: "A neighborhood of plain people - - in an American city of today." See more » |
| Quotes |
Big Jack:
How'd ya like to take your family and go on a vacation, say to California? Sunshine, flowers, acavados. You know? See more » |