- DIRECTOR:
Marvin LeRoy
- ACTORS:
Paul Muni, Glenda Farrell, Helen Vinson, Noel Francis, Preston Foster, Allen Jenkins, Edward Ellis, Hale Hamilton
- PLOT:
A restless veteran (Muni) lands himself in a Louisiana chain gang, escapes, and then does it all again a second time.
- EVALUATION:
This pre-Code searing indictment of prison labor features enough visual flourishes to make up for its very odd final scene.
- WRITING:
The adequate screenplay was based on a semi-autobiographical book by Robert E. Burns.
- FILMING:
Everything looks appropriately gritty, and there is a great composite shot of the chain gang hammering away at the months on a calendar.
- BEST PART:
That calendar shot.
- TRIVIA:
The film is credited with helping Burns earn his freedom through a commuted sentence.
- STINGER:
Bomber says "getting out here" just before falling off the truck.
