Prison pictures were still raw and exciting in 1930 and this was the grand daddy of them all!!! I disagree with the reviewer - I think this film is every bit as good as a Warner Bros. crime movie. Wallace Beery is a revelation as "Butch" - a character, that a few years down the track would become a staple in almost every prison movie.
Kent Marlowe (Robert Montgomery) a wealthy youth, who is used to having his parents fight his battles for him, is sentenced to 10 years for manslaughter - he kills a man while driving drunk. Lewis Stone plays the stern warden, while George F. Marion plays his "conscience", Pop Ryker. There are several speeches against the antiquated prison system, the overcrowding, which leads to putting first timers into cells with hardened criminals. This is what happens to Kent - he is to share a cell with "Butch" (Wallace Beery) an unrepentant murderer - "you never heard of the Delancy gang wipe out - well, I done the wiping!!!" and also Morgan (Chester Morris) a criminal who still has humanity. He tries to give Kent advice about surviving in prison but Kent is drawn to the prison stoolie!!!
There are some wonderful visual highlights - the prison food hall - prisoners are shown eating at what a few seconds before were empty tables. There is then a protest about the food, which "Butch" leads. Morgan is keeping a low profile as he is due to be released. During visiting time Morgan sees Ann, who is visiting her brother, Kent. Kent is of course whining and complaining about how he can't take things in here anymore and why can't she do something about it. He is cowardly - Robert Montgomery is just excellent and has perfected the wild eyed stare - and through his actions, ruins Morgan's chance of getting an early release. Both Morgan and "Butch" are put in solitary confinement and when they are released Morgan makes a daring escape via the prison morgue.
While out he visits Anne's bookstore but she suspects who he is as her brother has written her a letter. She bravely apprehends him with his own gun until he manages to convince her that he means no harm. A local detective thinks he recognizes him and after a few months of freedom (he makes a new start, falls in love with Anne) he is taken back to prison.
There is to be a prison breakout (shades of "20,000,000 Years in Sing Sing" (1933)). "Butch" has it timed for noon but Kent has already squealed to the Warden and the guards are waiting for them and because Morgan has refused to join the mob, "Butch" thinks he is the one who leaked the plans. The mob scenes are excellently handled and the siege is very exciting. They even bring in the tanks!!!
Although I haven't seen Robert Montgomery in a lot of films, I don't think I have ever seen him act in a more convincing way. Leila Hyams was also an actress who tackled some pretty unusual roles as well. After a few ordinary roles she was surprisingly cast as the circus girl in "Freaks" - but this role was different as well. She plays Anne Marlowe, a compassionate girl, who is not afraid to use a gun to defend herself and also runs her own business.
Highly Recommended.
Kent Marlowe (Robert Montgomery) a wealthy youth, who is used to having his parents fight his battles for him, is sentenced to 10 years for manslaughter - he kills a man while driving drunk. Lewis Stone plays the stern warden, while George F. Marion plays his "conscience", Pop Ryker. There are several speeches against the antiquated prison system, the overcrowding, which leads to putting first timers into cells with hardened criminals. This is what happens to Kent - he is to share a cell with "Butch" (Wallace Beery) an unrepentant murderer - "you never heard of the Delancy gang wipe out - well, I done the wiping!!!" and also Morgan (Chester Morris) a criminal who still has humanity. He tries to give Kent advice about surviving in prison but Kent is drawn to the prison stoolie!!!
There are some wonderful visual highlights - the prison food hall - prisoners are shown eating at what a few seconds before were empty tables. There is then a protest about the food, which "Butch" leads. Morgan is keeping a low profile as he is due to be released. During visiting time Morgan sees Ann, who is visiting her brother, Kent. Kent is of course whining and complaining about how he can't take things in here anymore and why can't she do something about it. He is cowardly - Robert Montgomery is just excellent and has perfected the wild eyed stare - and through his actions, ruins Morgan's chance of getting an early release. Both Morgan and "Butch" are put in solitary confinement and when they are released Morgan makes a daring escape via the prison morgue.
While out he visits Anne's bookstore but she suspects who he is as her brother has written her a letter. She bravely apprehends him with his own gun until he manages to convince her that he means no harm. A local detective thinks he recognizes him and after a few months of freedom (he makes a new start, falls in love with Anne) he is taken back to prison.
There is to be a prison breakout (shades of "20,000,000 Years in Sing Sing" (1933)). "Butch" has it timed for noon but Kent has already squealed to the Warden and the guards are waiting for them and because Morgan has refused to join the mob, "Butch" thinks he is the one who leaked the plans. The mob scenes are excellently handled and the siege is very exciting. They even bring in the tanks!!!
Although I haven't seen Robert Montgomery in a lot of films, I don't think I have ever seen him act in a more convincing way. Leila Hyams was also an actress who tackled some pretty unusual roles as well. After a few ordinary roles she was surprisingly cast as the circus girl in "Freaks" - but this role was different as well. She plays Anne Marlowe, a compassionate girl, who is not afraid to use a gun to defend herself and also runs her own business.
Highly Recommended.