The Get-Away

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

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.

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.

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?

Anyone else realize that this is almost a shot-for-shot remake of "Public Hero #1" staring Jean Arthur and Chester Morris (1935)? With Lionel Barrymore playing the doctor and Joseph Calleia playing Sonny.

It also appears the same screenplay was used for both pictures as the writing credits overlap. Different directors though

Public Hero #1 (1935) : Directed by J. Walter Ruben. Writing credits: J. Walter Ruben story, Wells Root story, Wells Root screenplay

The Get-Away (1941) : Directed by Edward Buzzell , Richard Rosson (uncredited). Writing credits: W.R. Burnett screenplay, Wells Root screenplay, Wells Root story, J. Walter Ruben story

Having seen both pictures, I think the 1935 Jean Arthur/Chester Morris effort is the better of the two. Anyone who likes "The Get-Away' should checkout "Public Hero #1".