Movie Information
Overall Rank: 1618
Average Rating: 3/4
# of Ratings: 34
Theatrical Release Date: 11/19/1932
Language: English
Genre: Crime, Drama
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Mervyn LeRoy
Actors: Paul Muni, Helen Vinson, Allen Jenkins, Glenda Farrell, Edward Ellis, Hale Hamilton
Plot: Wrongly convicted James Allen serves in the intolerable conditions of a southern chain gang, which later comes back to haunt him.
Quick Movie Reviews
Rating of
2.5/4
Gabe - wrote on 05/19/2013
Normally, this would be right in my wheelhouse, but it now feels dated and makes no sense. Why would he choose to go back to Kentucky and serve out the rest of his time when the state of Illinois was fighting for him? But, then again, if he doesn't, then there is no film. I believe the point that was trying to be made was that chain gangs are bad. And it does convey that, but I think this film tells us more about the state of Kentucky that anything. If you have noting else to do on a Saturday afternoon, like I did, see it, it's not great, but it will keep you entertained.
Rating of
4/4
woody - wrote on 02/09/2011
Paul Muni is just about over the top in this one, but his all-out turn as a nice guy who gets some really bad breaks makes this one of the best movies of the thirties. He pulls you right into his desperation and you want things to work out just as much as he does. The rest of the cast is just OK, but with Muni it doesn't matter. Watch through to the end, one of the most memorable closing scenes in movie history.
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