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The Big House (1930)

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Top Critics

Average Rating: 7.2/10
Reviews Counted: 5
Fresh: 4 | Rotten: 1

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Release Date: May 14, 1930 Wide

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Average Rating: 3.7/5
User Ratings: 253

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Movie Info

Not the first of the prison pictures, but the one that truly put the genre on the map. Playboy Kent (Robert Montgomery), driving drunk, kills a couple of pedestrians and is sentenced to a 10-year manslaughter term. His cellmate is forger Morgan (Chester Morris), a tough but essentially decent con; the cell-block leader is Butch (Wallace Beery), whose outer oafishness hides a cruel, calculating mind. Butch lives for the day that he can bust out and doesn't care who gets hurt along the way.

Unrated, 1 hr. 24 min.

Drama, Classics

Directed By: George W. Hill

Written By: Frances Marion

In Theaters: May 14, 1930 Wide

On DVD: Jun 22, 1994

Warner Bros.

The Big House Trailer & Photos

Cast

Chester Morris
John Morgan
Wallace Beery
Butch Schmidt
Robert Montgomery
Kent Marlowe
Leila Hyams
Anne Marlowe
Lewis Stone
Warden James Adams
George F. Marion
Pop Riker
Karl Dane
Olsen
J.C. Nugent
Mr. Marlowe
DeWitt Jennings
Capt. Wallace
Matthew Betz
Gopher
Claire McDowell
Mrs. Marlowe
Robert E. O'Connor
Sgt. Donlin
Tom Kennedy
Uncle Jed
Tom Wilson
Sandy a guard
Roscoe Ates
Putnam
Fletcher Norton
Oliver
Michael Vavitch
Eddie Lambert

Critic Reviews for The Big House

All Critics (9) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (4) | Rotten (1) | DVD (1)

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.

February 12, 2008 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

| Comment

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

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

January 23, 2008 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews

| Comment

Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

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

June 25, 2005 Full Review Source: Goatdog's Movies

| Comment

Michael W. Phillips, Jr.

Goatdog's Movies Source: Goatdog's Movies

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

August 21, 2003 Comment

Ken Hanke

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

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Audience Reviews for The Big House

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an early prison break film. robert montgomery is completely overshadowed by the now forgotten actor chester morris. i'm afraid montgomery would be everyone's bitch at prison. wallace beery is fun and this film made him a huge star. frances marion became the first woman to win an oscar for screenwriting. it's a

March 14, 2009

Stella Dallas

Super Reviewer

Solid prison drama, good cast. Wallace Berry is particularly good and very convincing as one of the prisoners. Good pace and an interesting story. It?s more brutal than I was expecting. Good editing.

February 17, 2010