The Star Witness (1931): Cast & Plot
The Star Witness is a 1931 crime drama starring Dickie Moore as Ned Leeds, Sally Blane and George Ernest. It runs 1 hour 8 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 8m (68 min)
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- The Vitaphone Corporation
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Star Witness About?
The premise of The Star Witness without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A determined district attorney launches an aggressive campaign against a ruthless criminal gang, only to discover that his key witnesses—a frightened, innocent family—have refused to testify, paralyzed by fear of violent retaliation. He must find a way to protect them and secure justice.
The Star Witness Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- pre code film
- prohibition era
- civil war veteran
- old man
- witness threatened
- threat
- baseball player
- attempted bribery
- family drama
- social drama
- gangster crime
- domestic drama
+38 more Show fewer
- gangster drama
- police shootout
- roll call opening credits
- military veteran
- eyewitness
- family life
- law and order
- gun fight
- courtroom scene
- race against time
- street battle
- kingpin
- police informer
- policeman
- detention
- civic duty
- police shoot out
- factory
- extortion
- generation gap
- man hunt
- yankee doodle dandy
- trick knee
- child kidnapping
- xenophobia
- soldiers home
- kidnap victim rescued
- reference to battle of bull run
- reference to the battle of bunker hill
- chocolate cake
- newspaper
- newspaper headline
- reference to herbert hoover
- witness intimidation
- witness to a murder
- raincoat
- murder trial
- courtroom
The Star Witness Cast & Characters
Dickie Moore leads the cast as Ned Leeds, with Sally Blane as Sue Leeds and George Ernest as Donny Leeds.
-
Dickie Moore as Ned Leeds - Sally Blane as Sue Leeds
- George Ernest as Donny Leeds
- Edward Nugent as Jackie Leeds
Also Starring in The Star Witness
· 21 more- Grant Mitchell Pa Leeds
- Frances Starr Ma Leeds
- Charles 'Chic' Sale Pvt. Summerill
- Ralph Ince "Maxey" Campo
- Walter Huston District Attorney Whitlock
- George Irving Judge (uncredited)
- Tom Dugan Deputy Brown (uncredited)
- Nat Pendleton Big Jack
- William A. Wellman Company Workman (uncredited)
- Edgar Dearing Henchman Jim Sockett (uncredited)
- Harry Tenbrook Henchman (uncredited)
- Ben Hall Timekeeper at W.P. Randolph (uncredited)
- Russell Hopton Deputy Thorpe
- Bob Perry Henchman Baldy (uncredited)
- Noel Madison Henchman Horan (uncredited)
- Robert Elliott Deputy Williams (uncredited)
Show all 25 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Allan Lane Young Deputy at the Leeds Home (uncredited)
- Mike Donlin Henchman Mickey (uncredited)
- Harry Watson Baseball Player (uncredited)
- Guy D'Ennery Henchman Jack Short (uncredited)
- Fletcher Norton Henchman Dopey (uncredited)
The Star Witness Plot Summary
What happens in The Star Witness from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
On a quiet street, the Leeds family—Ned Leeds and Sue Leeds as the two adult children, their two younger brothers Donny Leeds and Jackie Leeds, their parents Ma Leeds and Pa Leeds, and Grandpa Grandpa Summerill—lives in the steady comfort of a close-knit home. That calm is shattered when gangster Maxey Campo bursts into the residence, murders two men right before their eyes, and then assaults Grandpa for challenging him. Campo threatens the family with dire consequences if they talk and flees through the back exit, leaving fear and confusion in his wake.
Full summary
The whole story of The Star Witness, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know The Star Witness?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which member of the Leeds family is identified as the family's patriarch who ultimately confronts the gangster in court?
The Star Witness Also Known As
Also known as “O Preço do Dever”.
- Also known as
-
- O Preço do Dever
Seen The Star Witness?
Movies Like The Star Witness
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Key Witness, Your Witness and Witness.
The Star Witness FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, cast and post-credit scenes of The Star Witness, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Star Witness?
The Star Witness runs 1 hour 8 minutes (68 minutes).
When was The Star Witness released?
The Star Witness was released on August 22, 1931.
Who is in the cast of The Star Witness?
The Star Witness stars Dickie Moore as Ned Leeds, Sally Blane as Sue Leeds and George Ernest as Donny Leeds, among 25 credited actors.
Does The Star Witness have a post-credit scene?
No. The Star Witness has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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