Movie Cosmos - I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang

Description:

A World War I veteran’s dreams of becoming a master architect evaporate in the cold light of economic realities. Things get even worse when he’s falsely convicted of a crime and sent to work on a chain gang.

Top Cast >

Paul Muni

As James Allen

Glenda Farrell

As Marie Woods

Helen Vinson

As Helen

Noel Francis

As Linda

Preston Foster

As Pete

Allen Jenkins

As Barney Sykes

Berton Churchill

As The Judge

Edward Ellis

As Bomber Wells

David Landau

As The Warden

Hale Hamilton

As Rev. Allen

Sally Blane

As Alice

Louise Carter

As Mother

Everett Brown

As Sebastian T. Yale - Strong Prisoner

Willard Robertson

As Prison Board Chairman

Robert McWade

As F.E. Ramsey

Robert Warwick

As Fuller

William Le Maire

As A Texan

Charles Middleton

As Train Conductor (uncredited)

Dennis O'Keefe

As Café Chateau Dancer (uncredited)

Wallis Clark

As Chicago Lawyer (uncredited)

Erville Alderson

As Police Chief (uncredited)

Irving Bacon

As Bill - Barber (uncredited)

Reginald Barlow

As Mr. Parker (uncredited)

James Bell

As Red (uncredited)

Frederick Burton

As Southern Prison Official (uncredited)

A.S. Byron

As Cop in Barber Shop (uncredited)

Charles McAvoy

As Cop (uncredited)

Eddy Chandler

As Job Foreman (uncredited)

G. Pat Collins

As Wilson (uncredited)

George Cooper

As Vaudevillian (uncredited)

Jack Curtis

As Prison Guard (uncredited)

Harry Woods

As Prison Guard (uncredited)

John Marston

As Prison Commissioner (uncredited)

Douglass Dumbrille

As District Attorney (uncredited)

J. Frank Glendon

As Arresting Officer (uncredited)

Lee Shumway

As Arresting Officer (uncredited)

Lew Kelly

As Diner Cook (uncredited)

Jack La Rue

As Ackerman (uncredited)

Edward LeSaint

As Chamber of Commerce Chairman (uncredited)

Walter Long

As Blacksmith (uncredited)

Jack Low

As Big Prisoner (uncredited)

Edward McNamara

As Second Warden (uncredited)

William Pawley

As Doggy (uncredited)

Charles Sellon

As Hot Dog Stand Owner (uncredited)

Allen D. Sewall

As Train Station Guard (uncredited)

William H. Strauss

As Pawnbroker (uncredited)

Sheila Terry

As Allen's Secretary (uncredited)

Fred 'Snowflake' Toones

As Marine on Ship (uncredited)

Jack Wise

As Tailor (uncredited)

John Wray

As Nordine (uncredited)

Top Crew >

Mervyn LeRoy

Director

Howard J. Green

Screenplay

William Holmes

Editor

Hal B. Wallis

Producer

Sol Polito

Director of Photography

Robert E. Burns

Story

Sheridan Gibney

Screenplay

Brown Holmes

Screenplay

Orry-Kelly

Costume Design

Al Alleborn

Assistant Director

Jack Okey

Art Direction

Bernhard Kaun

Original Music Composer

Leo F. Forbstein

Original Music Composer

William Forsyth

Casting Assistant

Reviews:

John Chard (10/10)

Masterpiece that keeps influencing as much as it enthrals.

Being a man who has a very unhealthy penchant for any film that deals with incarceration, it is with great elation that I can proudly proclaim this to be one of the greatest films of the genre. I had to finally give way and import the film on Region 1 to see what I was missing, boy was it joyous to see how this film has influenced some of my favourite film's of all time.

This is one tough movie, it pulls no punches and the only surprise is that it was made in 1932, that the film is a grizzled masterpiece is down to the astute direction of Mervyn LeRoy and a quite brilliant performance from Paul Muni in the lead role of James Allen. Based on the real life writings of Robert Elliot Burns, the film is a harsh kick in the guts about the brutal penal system that existed when most of us were mere glints in our Father's eyes. It is part of a Warner Brothers controversial classic's box set that is available on Region 1, and its place on any controversial classic list is worthy.

The film had major impact on reviews of the penal system, it caused uproar in Georgia (the film never mentions Georgia, but they knew it was about them), law suits followed and Robert Elliot Burns himself was constantly pursued by the authorities despite the state being privy to the actual facts of his case. I wont be boorish with the details as it is well documented across the net and those who haven't seen the film really need to address that issue. This picture strips it down to a primal story that begs a viewing from anyone interested in the genre - or actually for those interested in brilliant cinema from a golden era - period! 10/10

2020-02-11