Dudley Malone, according to one of the defense's experts, impressed one "more as a politician than a lawyer." He was witty, handsome, debonairly dressed, and a superb orator. Malone's "duel to the death" speech received the loudest ovation of any during the trial. Bryan called it "the greatest speech I've ever heard." In it, Malone thundered "There is never a duel with truth; the truth always wins, and we are not afraid of it!"
The Scopes trial was not Malone's first encounter with Bryan. Malone had served as Undersecretary of State under Bryan in the Wilson administration.
Upon leaving government, Malone became an international divorce lawyer and leading light of the New York Bar. An unlikely choice for a civil liberties case, Malone ended up in Dayton because of connections with his legal partner, Arthur Hays.
After the trial, Malone returned to his divorce business. Business declined, probably as a result of Malone's drinking problem, and in the 1930's Malone launched a new career as a dramatic actor, playing primarily bit roles.