An innocent man sentenced to death gets caught up in a prison riot.An innocent man sentenced to death gets caught up in a prison riot.An innocent man sentenced to death gets caught up in a prison riot.
Preston Foster
- John 'Killer' Mears - Cell 4
- (as Preston S. Foster)
Alec B. Francis
- Father O'Connor
- (uncredited)
Gladden James
- Warden's Secretary
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured review
The first half of the film is slow, talky, and one-act-play-ish. The only good part-- and pretty much the film's only real attempt to build character --is Daniel L. Haynes' fine performance as Number Two. He also has the best line, where with a smiling but sardonic edge, he doubts he'll meet his death-house fellows on the other side, because white people probably won't let a black man share Hell with them.
The movie finally picks up at the midpoint as it suddenly becomes more of a thriller, and the tension ratchets up and up for the remainder of the film's brief runtime. So don't let the Generic Serious Depression-Era Play feel of the first half put you off, because it transforms into a much more rewarding experience.
The movie finally picks up at the midpoint as it suddenly becomes more of a thriller, and the tension ratchets up and up for the remainder of the film's brief runtime. So don't let the Generic Serious Depression-Era Play feel of the first half put you off, because it transforms into a much more rewarding experience.
- winstonengle
- Mar 1, 2019
- Permalink
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe Broadway play of the same name upon which this film is based opened at the Sam H. Harris Theatre, 226 W. 42nd St. on February 13, 1930 and ran for 289 performances until October. Spencer Tracy played the lead role of John Mears. Clark Gable also played the role in later productions. Both actors were brought to the attention of Hollywood because of their involvement with this play.
- GoofsAs Joe Berg is saying goodbye to "Killer" Mears, a moving shadow of the boom microphone is visible on the wall of Mears' cell.
- Quotes
John 'Killer' Mears, Cell 4: [at the end of the prison break, walking into the guards' machine guns] I think I'll go get a little air.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Rush: A Show of Hands (1989)
Details
- Runtime1 hour 15 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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