Does anyone else see hints of Neo-realism (Italy, 1940s and 50s) in the early parts of this (NYC street scenes)? And this was 1929. The Eastman House beautiful print (available on YouTube for free) shows a lot of the street scenes in such clarity that makes it easy to compare it to the decades later Italian movies. I wonder how much of the street scenes are documentary.
There is also quite a bit of noir-ish light and shadows (for example, the guard's changing room at the prison).
Personally, I'm not too impressed with the hammy acting of Muni. But the writing does contain some unpredictable twists.
There is also quite a bit of noir-ish light and shadows (for example, the guard's changing room at the prison).
Personally, I'm not too impressed with the hammy acting of Muni. But the writing does contain some unpredictable twists.