I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang
(1932)
76 or 90 mins | Drama | 19 November 1932
Cast:
Paul Muni, Glenda Farrell, Helen Vinson [ More ]Director:
Mervyn Le RoyWriters:
Howard J. Green, Brown HolmesCinematographer:
Sol PolitoEditor:
William HolmesProduction Designer:
Jack OkeyProduction Company:
Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc.Robert E. Burns's book was serialized in True Detective Mysteries (publication date undetermined). Both Paul Muni and the picture were nominated for Academy Awards. The National Board of Review named it the best picture of 1932. All contemporary reviews include Sheridan Gibney as one of the screenwriters, but his name does not appear on screen. According to FD, Wynne Gibson was considered for the female lead. MPH credits Morgan Wallace with the role of "Ramsey," Sam Baker with "Sebastian T. Yale" and Russell Simpson with the role of "Sheriff." Although many reviews refer to the film's locale as Georgia, the film itself leaves its southern location unnamed. Modern sources differ as to whether Burns was recaptured during a publicity appearance and subsequently was put back into prison or whether he remained free until his death from cancer in 1955. According to modern sources, a replica of the prison camp was built on the Warner Ranch in Calabasas, CA. The rock breaking scene was shot in an actual quarry in Chatsworth, CA. DV notes that there was a possibility that the Soviet government would release the film as one of three American pictures permitted circulation in the USSR. Cabin in the Cotton had already been shown because "it exploited oppression of poor whites in the South." DV reports that two wardens sued Warner Bros. and Vitaphone for alleged attacks on them in the film. HR identifies one of the wardens as L. C. Perkins, who was in charge of the Campbell County prison camp from which Burns escaped. The ...
Robert E. Burns's book was serialized in True Detective Mysteries (publication date undetermined). Both Paul Muni and the picture were nominated for Academy Awards. The National Board of Review named it the best picture of 1932. All contemporary reviews include Sheridan Gibney as one of the screenwriters, but his name does not appear on screen. According to FD, Wynne Gibson was considered for the female lead. MPH credits Morgan Wallace with the role of "Ramsey," Sam Baker with "Sebastian T. Yale" and Russell Simpson with the role of "Sheriff." Although many reviews refer to the film's locale as Georgia, the film itself leaves its southern location unnamed. Modern sources differ as to whether Burns was recaptured during a publicity appearance and subsequently was put back into prison or whether he remained free until his death from cancer in 1955. According to modern sources, a replica of the prison camp was built on the Warner Ranch in Calabasas, CA. The rock breaking scene was shot in an actual quarry in Chatsworth, CA. DV notes that there was a possibility that the Soviet government would release the film as one of three American pictures permitted circulation in the USSR. Cabin in the Cotton had already been shown because "it exploited oppression of poor whites in the South." DV reports that two wardens sued Warner Bros. and Vitaphone for alleged attacks on them in the film. HR identifies one of the wardens as L. C. Perkins, who was in charge of the Campbell County prison camp from which Burns escaped. The lawsuits were dismissed by the Fulton, GA Superior Court. Modern sources identify the wardens as J.H. Hardy and P. Philips. The chain gang system was not abolished until 1937. According to interviews with Mervyn LeRoy, the darkness at the end of the film was the result of a fortuitous accident. Just as Paul Muni finished his line, "I steal," the electricity in the studio failed. When the rushes were viewed, the sudden darkness was thought to be so effective, that he decided not to reshoot the end. Modern sources add the following credits: Exec prod, Hal B. Wallis; Tech dir, Jack Miller.
Returning from World War I, Sergeant James Allen decides to go into construction work to build something positive after the destruction of the war. There are not enough jobs, however, and soon he unsuccessfully tries to pawn his war medals. By accident, Jim gets involved in a robbery in which the actual thief is killed, and he gets sentenced to ten years on a southern chain gang. The brutal conditions drive him to escape. He slips off his shackles with the help of another prisoner and takes off, dogs baying at his heels. He manages to reach Chicago and, under the name Allen James, works his way up in the construction business. Marie, his landlady, discovers the truth about him, and now that he is successful, blackmails him into marrying her. Their marriage is a disaster. One night at a party, Jim meets Helen and they fall in love. He asks Marie for a divorce, but she refuses and out of revenge, turns him in. When Illinois will not extradite him, southern prison officials offer to pardon him after ninety days if he turns himself in. Anxious to clear his name before he marries Helen, Jim agrees, but when he arrives in the South, he discovers that they lied to him. After his pardon is refused twice, he escapes again, ironically blowing up a bridge during his getaway. This time he must live in hiding. One night he returns to tell Helen goodbye. Completely distraught, she asks him, "How do you live?" "I steal," he answers before he disappears into the ...
Returning from World War I, Sergeant James Allen decides to go into construction work to build something positive after the destruction of the war. There are not enough jobs, however, and soon he unsuccessfully tries to pawn his war medals. By accident, Jim gets involved in a robbery in which the actual thief is killed, and he gets sentenced to ten years on a southern chain gang. The brutal conditions drive him to escape. He slips off his shackles with the help of another prisoner and takes off, dogs baying at his heels. He manages to reach Chicago and, under the name Allen James, works his way up in the construction business. Marie, his landlady, discovers the truth about him, and now that he is successful, blackmails him into marrying her. Their marriage is a disaster. One night at a party, Jim meets Helen and they fall in love. He asks Marie for a divorce, but she refuses and out of revenge, turns him in. When Illinois will not extradite him, southern prison officials offer to pardon him after ninety days if he turns himself in. Anxious to clear his name before he marries Helen, Jim agrees, but when he arrives in the South, he discovers that they lied to him. After his pardon is refused twice, he escapes again, ironically blowing up a bridge during his getaway. This time he must live in hiding. One night he returns to tell Helen goodbye. Completely distraught, she asks him, "How do you live?" "I steal," he answers before he disappears into the shadows.
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