Black Fury (1935)

Synopsis: In BLACK FURY, a working-class drama adapted from Henry Irving's fact-based play, a hardworking Polish-American coal miner becomes involved in a dangerous labor struggle. Paul Muni plays Joe Radek,... In BLACK FURY, a working-class drama adapted from Henry Irving's fact-based play, a hardworking Polish-American coal miner becomes involved in a dangerous labor struggle. Paul Muni plays Joe Radek, an easygoing man whose popularity among fellow miners thrusts him into a position of leadership during the struggle. He is coerced into leading a walkout that ruins the fragile relations between union and management. Scab workers and police are brought in, and suddenly Muni's livelihood--and his life--are in jeopardy. Muni is tough as nails in this patented Warner Bros. social problem picture, and director Michael Curtiz (ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES) does a brilliant job re-creating the horrible conditions of the workers' coal town with an impressive display of drills, mine shafts, and tattered shacks. The film manages to expose corruption while preaching the need for compassion and moderation. Inspired by the story in which a Pittsburgh miner was murdered by three company policeman, the film was originally banned in Pennsylvania. [More]

Starring: Paul Muni, Karen Morley, William Gargan, Barton MacLane

Starring: Paul Muni, Karen Morley, William Gargan, Barton MacLane, John Qualen, J. Carrol Naish, Vince Barnett, Tully Marshall, Henry O'Neill

Director: Michael Curtiz

Director: Michael Curtiz
Producer: Robert Lord

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