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This is a good little crime movie that is often overlooked. It is not even rated in the Maltin book. But, if you enjoy movies with a nice simple plot about prisons, break-outs, federal agents chasing crime gangs, sister trying to save wayward brother, etc. you will like this film. Robert Sterling does a fine job and interacts well with Dan Dailey and Donna Reed. Dailey's role is that of a hard and tough criminal who resists all efforts to go straight. Donna Reed, as his long suffering sister does her best to reform him. There's a great shoot-out scene that will please action fans and the final ending is handled very well and contains real suspense.

Viewers will recognize The Getaway as a remake of another MGM B picture, Public Hero #1. But another film along similar lines was so much better, that being White Heat.

Still there's no shame in being associated with being with this solid B action film. Robert Sterling plays a youthful FBI agent who goes undercover in prison to arrange an escape for mobster Dan Dailey who heads the infamous River Gang the FBI wants to nail. Sterling is to infiltrate and find the gang's hideout.

Dailey has the Cody Jarrett role here and while he's not nuts with a mother complex like James Cagney was, he's got some issues. But he's also shrewd and paranoid which is always a deadly combination. Dailey steals this film.

The Getaway was also the film debut of Donna Reed who plays Dan Dailey's sister who unlike Cody Jarrett's mother is seriously trying to reform him. Sterling takes a liking to here. There's also Charles Winninger a doctor with a thirst problem who I wouldn't let near me with a scalpel. Winninger has an interesting way of collecting his fees.

Good action film with a nice climactic shootout.

Wow! A preternaturally cute,just past teenage, Donna Reed in her first movie, emoting with all she had. Dan Daily-of all people-playing the heavy. A real menace. In an uncredited role, the immortal Veda Ann Borg.

The story is old. It had been done before and even more afterward, but who cares. It's a b-movie, but with MGM high production values. A dance hall scene seems to have hundreds of extras. So suspend critical judgment (and even basic intelligence) and sit back and have fun.

My favorite scene is when Dan Daily, hiding out and in disguise so that he would not be recognized, approaches Veda Ann Borg in a dance hall and asks to dance with her. What better way to deflect any attention to yourself than to dance with the showiest blond in Hollywood history?

Not Really Their Forte, MGM Tried Out the Gangster Formula, so Successful for WB, and it is an Adequate Attempt. A Remake, this has been Chided for being a Shot for Shot Copy of Public Hero (1935).

On its Own there are a Few Things that Make it Worth a Watch. Dan Daley as a Creepy Hood who is a "Brother from Hell" to Donna Reed (in Her debut). Miss Reed Over Emotes Most of the Time that gets on the Nerves as does Robert Sterling's Over the Top Portrayal as an Inmate and a Smarmy Romantic Lead. Another Irritant is Charles Winninger as an Alcoholic Doctor.

On the Up Side, it has Typical High Production Standards from the Studio and the Ending Shootout is Bullet Ridden and the Second Ending is done with Suspense and Feels Like it is Dillinger Inspired.

Recommended for Fans of Gangster and G-Men Movies and if the Irritating Characters (except for an excellent portrayal by Daley), don't Get-In-Your-Way, it is a Fun and Exciting Film at Times.

Not a bad little film in many ways when you consider when it was made by MGM - clearly as the opener in a Double Feature Bill. The cast is surprisingly good with perhaps Dan Dailey as the standout, and playing the brother of Donna Reed and never able to go straight despite all her efforts. Robert Sterling goes over the top in his early scenes, but settles down as the story progresses. Charles Winninger as the drunken Doctor has some fine and not-so-fine moments in a major role, and it was great to see one of the good old B-players in Veda Ann Borg. The shoot-out near the end was ideal for a programmer and would have left audiences in those days in a good frame of mind for the Main Attraction