Blackwell's Island

1939
Approved
1h 11m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

John Garfield and Rosemary Lane in Blackwell's Island (1939)

In 1934, a New York reporter infiltrates a crime syndicate by befriending its boss who is serving time inside Blackwell Island prison.In 1934, a New York reporter infiltrates a crime syndicate by befriending its boss who is serving time inside Blackwell Island prison.In 1934, a New York reporter infiltrates a crime syndicate by befriending its boss who is serving time inside Blackwell Island prison.

Directors
- William C. McGann
- Michael Curtiz
Writers
- Crane Wilbur
- Lee Katz
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.0/10

547

YOUR RATING

Directors
- William C. McGann
- Michael Curtiz
Writers
- Crane Wilbur
- Lee Katz
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 2 wins total

Photos16

+ 10

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
The island in the East River in New York City crossed by the Queensboro Bridge was known as Blackwell's Island, and then Welfare Island from 1921 to 1973 when it was used for hospitals, prisons and other civic institutions. It was renamed Roosevelt Island in honor of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1973. And, shortly after the period depicted in this film, the prison was closed and prisoners were moved to Rikers Island.

Goofs
When Bull is fleeing in the little speedboat, he fires seven shots from his snub-nose revolver.

Quotes
Benny Farmer: Hi-ya, Wong. How ya feeling?
Wong: Me very sick; me go see doctor again.
Tim Haydon: Say, how good is this doctor?
Benny Farmer: I'll give you an idea how good he is. He's been treating him three months for yellow jaundice, and only yesterday he found out he was a Chinaman.

Connections
Featured in The John Garfield Story (2003)

User reviews20

Featured review

Not the best John Garfields' vehicle

It is a Warner Bros feature, fast paced, action packed, starring John Garfield, but that's all. Not my favourite with him. It is too light hearted for my taste. Warner Brothers gave us many of this kind. It is typical of this period, no one can deny, but I got rapidly tired of it. Not a comedy crime, but not so far. William McGann the director was a prolific onee but he obviously lacked ambition, just an effective chain film maker, the perfect yes man. I won't watch it again, and forget it rapidly. John Garfield deserved a bit more than this film, he deserved to have a more powerful character, more poignant, gripping. That's my own opinion.