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Alibi

The alibi, a term from jurisprudence, is a form of legal defense; in which a defendant argues that they were engaged in some other activity, such that they could not possibly have committed the crime in question. The Criminal Law Deskbook (1988) states: "Alibi is different from all of the other defenses...it is based upon the premise that the defendant is truly innocent."


Alibi is a 1929 film that was written by Elaine S. Carrington, J.C. Nugent, C. Gardner Sullivan, Roland West and John Griffith Wray, from the play Nightstick by Carrington, Nugent and Wray. The film was directed by Roland West.

The movie is a crime melodrama starring Chester Morris, Harry Stubbs, Mae Busch and Eleanore Griffith. Director West did a great deal of experimentation with sound, music, and camera angles.

It was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Chester Morris), Best Art Direction and Best Picture.