Storyline

Hardened criminal Tommy Connors (Spencer Tracy) enters Sing Sing prison convinced that his reputation and some bribery through his lawyer, Joe Finn (Louis Calhern), will control warden Paul Long (Arthur Byron). But Long rejects the bribe and insists that Connors accept his role as just another convict. After initial hostility, Connors knuckles under, and over time wins Long's trust. However, when his girlfriend, Fay (Bette Davis), is gravely injured by Finn, his reformation is put to the test.

Plot Keywords

criminal, warden, lawyer, girlfriend, convict, tense, striking, gripping, prison, office, car, hospital, cell, death row, prison life, reform, rehabilitation, love, bribery, accident, transformation, sacrifice, 1930s

Short Review

Interesting because it was made in 1932, and the dialog refers to years almost a century ago ... 1926. A lot of it was kind of hokey, but that's part of the charm of it. For one thing, jailers walking around with ties better be wearing clip-ons if they don't want to get choked. And policemen as well as the warden and jailers seemed dangerously casual and vulnerable to prisoner attack. Unreal. And I would think a Warden just deciding to let dangerous criminals take a vacation from prison, on their honor, is unreal, were it not for California and other states being very lenient lettig prisoners out.Spencer TRACY still looked like an adult, even i 1933. And BETTE DAVIS looked young and very attractive. It reminded me of the very old movie ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES, starring Jimmy CAGNEY, playing a prisoner in similar circumstances. I'm giving it 2 1/2 Stars because its very Old (therefore a 'classic), but by todays standards should be much lower.Glad i finally I finally saw it (on late night TV 11.17.2019)

Trailer

Streaming Service

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