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MOVIES / ON DVD / THE BIG HOUSE
The Big House

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The Big House (1930)

83%
N/A
50%
N/A
N/A
N/A
83 %
Reviews Counted: 6 Fresh: 5  Rotten:1 Average Rating: 7/10

How does the Tomatometer work?

The Tomatometer measures the percentage of positive reviews from Approved Tomatometer Critics for a certain movie.[-]

Runtime: 86 mins

Synopsis: Convicted of manslaugher for a drunken driving accident, Kent (Robert Montgomery) is sent to prison. Here he meets vicious incarcerated figures who are planning an escape from the brutal conditions. What the inmates believe to be a seamless plan turns into an all out massacre in this hard... Convicted of manslaugher for a drunken driving accident, Kent (Robert Montgomery) is sent to prison. Here he meets vicious incarcerated figures who are planning an escape from the brutal conditions. What the inmates believe to be a seamless plan turns into an all out massacre in this hard nosed crime drama. This early talkie was greatly influential to numerous men-behind-bars melodramas that would follow in its path. Screenwriter Frances Marian gleaned the dialogue and situations from San Quentin Prison, which she observed in preparation for the film. Wallace Beery brims with memorable anger as "Machine Gun" Butch Smith. [More]

Genre: Dramas

Starring: Wallace Beery, Robert Montgomery, Lewis Stone, Chester Morris, Karl Dane

Director: George Hill
Screenwriter: Frances Marion, Joe Farnham, Martin Flavin
Producer: Irving Thalberg

DVD Info

Release:

Jun 22, 1994

[DVD Details]

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Reviews

 
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Ratings Image
B

A good early prison drama with a strong, Oscar-nominated performance of Wallace Beery as a tough murderer; Beery took over after Lon Chaney's sudden death.

Full Review | comment Comment
02/12/08
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
Ratings Image
C+

Despite its flaws, for those who love this genre it's a must see film.

Full Review | comment Comment
01/23/08
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews
N/R

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Full Review | comment Comment
03/25/06
Mordaunt Hall
New York Times
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Ratings Image
3/5

No review available.

comment Comment
06/25/05
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
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3.5/5

Any niggling doubts about the film disappear in the last twenty minutes.

Full Review | comment Comment
06/25/05
Michael W. Phillips, Jr.
Goatdog's Movies
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4/5

Great early prison drama from the ever-inventive George Hill.

comment Comment
08/21/03
Ken Hanke
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Ratings Image
4.5/5

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Full Review | comment Comment
07/30/03
TV Guide's Movie Guide
N/R

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Full Review | comment Comment
05/24/03
Channel 4 Film
N/R

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Full Review | comment Comment
01/01/00
Don Druker
Chicago Reader
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