A convict falls in love with his new cellmate's sister, only to become embroiled in a planned break-out which is certain to have lethal consequences.A convict falls in love with his new cellmate's sister, only to become embroiled in a planned break-out which is certain to have lethal consequences.A convict falls in love with his new cellmate's sister, only to become embroiled in a planned break-out which is certain to have lethal consequences.
- Won 2 Oscars
- 2 wins & 2 nominations total
- Gopher
- (as Mathew Betz)
- Donlin
- (as Robert Emmet O'Connor)
- Uncle Jed
- (scenes deleted)
- Putnam
- (as Rosco Ates)
- Inmate
- (uncredited)
- Directors
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaFrances Marion's Academy Award for Best Screenplay made her the first woman to win an Oscar in a non-acting capacity.
- GoofsThe hallway area outside Butch and Kent's cell changes between scenes, possibly due to reshoots (see Trivia).
- Quotes
John Morgan: You know it means the rope, Butch, if they catch you? Who's in on it?
'Machine Gun' Butch Schmidt: Well, me and Olsen and Joe and the Hawk.
John Morgan: The Hawk? That means blood.
'Machine Gun' Butch Schmidt: No, he promised me he wouldn't bump nobody off.
John Morgan: Why, he croaked his own mother.
'Machine Gun' Butch Schmidt: Sure he did. He cut her throat. He was sorry for it. He's all right.
- ConnectionsAlternate-language version of El presidio (1930)
This is a strange film in that it starts out as Kent's story but gradually turns into Morgan's story. The film moves at a good pace climaxing in the attempted escape where old pals Butch and Morgan have a final confrontation. Robert Montgomery is a wimp/coward/creep in this film while Wallace Beery is the thug.
It's an enjoyable film with a touch of romance thrown in by the storyline involving Anne (Leila Hyams) and Morgan. Morgan escapes and hangs out with Anne and her family. She is Kent's sister. There are tense moments involving him and the policeman that finally re-arrests him. Morgan maintains a smart outlook throughout the film and goes out of his way to protect Kent even though Morgan knows what a traitor Kent has been. Shagging his sister must only increase his inner torment as to what he should do. It all works out nicely in the end!
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Details
Box office
- Budget
- $414,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 27 minutes
- Color