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Criminal Code (1931)

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 3
Fresh: 2 | Rotten: 1

No Score Yet...

Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 1
Fresh: 1 | Rotten: 0

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Movie Info

Howard Hawks' early sound prison melodrama, based on a play by Martin Flavin, already contains his stylistic signature of over-lapping dialogue -- a technique he would greatly expand upon in the next ten years. Walter Huston is district attorney Brady, who quickly convicts Robert Graham (Phillips Holmes) of murdering a man who was harassing his girlfriend. Brady is later made the warden of the prison where Robert is held. Brady tries to make friends with Robert, but Robert will have no dealings

Unrated, 1 hr. 38 min.

Drama, Romance

Directed By: Howard Hawks

Written By: Fred Niblo, Seton I. Miller

Cast

Walter Huston
Warden Brady
Phillips Holmes
Robert Graham
Constance Cummings
Mary Brady
Mary Doran
Gertrude Williams
DeWitt Jennings
Capt. Gleason
Boris Karloff
Ned Galloway
John Sheehan
McManus
Clark Marshall
Runch
Andy Devine
Convict kitchen worker
Al Hill
Gary
Otto Hoffman
Jim Fales
Arthur Hoyt
Leonard Nettleford
Tetsu Komai
Convict
Lee Phelps
Det. Doherty
Paul Porcasi
Tony Spelvin
John St. Polis
Dr. Pinewulf
Nicholas Soussanin
Dr. Rinewulf
Jack Vance
Reporter
Ethel Wales
Katie Ryan
Hugh Walker
Lew
Russell Hopton
State's Attorney
James Guilfoyle
Det. Doran

Critic Reviews for Criminal Code

All Critics (6) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (2) | Rotten (1)

Granted that Howard Hawks's direction is for the most part intelligent and firm, there are occasional sequences which he spoils by extravagant ideas or by leaving too little to the imagination.

January 28, 2006 Full Review Source: New York Times

| Comment

Mordaunt Hall

New York Times

Top Critic

Prison melodrama is stuffy and uninventive, despite good cast.

July 7, 2010 Full Review Source: Classic Film and Television

| Comment

Michael E. Grost

Classic Film and Television

Unsentimental prison drama.

December 22, 2006 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews

| Comment

Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

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Audience Reviews for Criminal Code

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The best thing about this movie was Boris Karloff.This was the 1st time I've ever seen him in a non horror role & He was truly creepy.I love old prison flicks so I was hoping for a good movie but it was just OK.Without Boris Karloff, It would've totally sucked

December 28, 2010

Brody Manson

Super Reviewer

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