I think this film -- MGM instead of Warner Bros. (I assume he was out on loan?) is one of Edward G. Robinson's better films, although definitely not one of his best. Frankly, as much as I liked Robinson, the Warner pics of this genre began to meld together after a while. MGM gave this film a slightly different feel, and for me, it worked.
As I child traveling in the south, I remember seeing chain gangs, but I never realized how depressing their lives were. This film shows you that.
Some feel this film has an unreal story line. Yes, it does. Just about as unreal as most of the Warner-type gangster films. But here it's done up with slightly better production values and some decent acting. Edward G. Robinson is fine as the wrongfully convicted oil man. Ruth Hussey, an often underestimated actress, is fine here as the wife. Gene Lockhart is surprisingly effective as the blackmailing villain. Thank god...we got through one film with child actor Bobs Watkins WITHOUT a crying scene (but I kept waiting for it). I never saw the attraction to sidekick Guinn Williams...and still don't.
Some have criticized the ending. I thought it was satisfactory...perhaps could have been handled a bit better...but was as plausible as most Hollywood endings of the day.
A rather satisfying film. Perhaps not quite a "A" picture, but better than your typical "B" picture.
As I child traveling in the south, I remember seeing chain gangs, but I never realized how depressing their lives were. This film shows you that.
Some feel this film has an unreal story line. Yes, it does. Just about as unreal as most of the Warner-type gangster films. But here it's done up with slightly better production values and some decent acting. Edward G. Robinson is fine as the wrongfully convicted oil man. Ruth Hussey, an often underestimated actress, is fine here as the wife. Gene Lockhart is surprisingly effective as the blackmailing villain. Thank god...we got through one film with child actor Bobs Watkins WITHOUT a crying scene (but I kept waiting for it). I never saw the attraction to sidekick Guinn Williams...and still don't.
Some have criticized the ending. I thought it was satisfactory...perhaps could have been handled a bit better...but was as plausible as most Hollywood endings of the day.
A rather satisfying film. Perhaps not quite a "A" picture, but better than your typical "B" picture.