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You Only Live Once (1937)

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All Critics
Top Critics

100

Average Rating: 9/10
Reviews Counted: 5
Fresh: 5 | Rotten: 0

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Release Date: Jan 29, 1937 Wide

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Average Rating: 3.6/5
User Ratings: 922

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Movie Info

Archetypal depression-era stars Henry Fonda and Sylvia Sidney are felicitously teamed in Fritz Lang's You Only Live Once. Fonda plays an ex-convict who can't get a break on the "outside". He marries Sidney, who like her husband is one of life's losers. Framed on a murder rap, Fonda is forced to take it on the lam, with his wife and baby in tow. In trying to avoid capture, Fonda becomes a murderer for real, condemning himself and Sidney to an early demise. Partly based on the legend of Bonnie and

Unrated, 1 hr. 26 min.

Drama, Classics

Directed By: Fritz Lang

Written By: Gene Towne, Graham Baker

In Theaters: Jan 29, 1937 Wide

On DVD: Jun 24, 2003

Cast

Sylvia Sidney
Joan "Jo" Graham
Henry Fonda
Eddie Taylor
Barton MacLane
Stephen Whitney
Jean Dixon
Bonnie Graham
William Gargan
Father Dolan
Warren Hymer
Muggsy
Charles "Chic" Sale
Ethan
Margaret Hamilton
Hester
Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams
Rogers
Jerome Cowan
Dr. Hill
John Wray
Warden
Jonathan Hale
District Attorney
Ward Bond
Guard
Wade Boteler
Policeman
Taylor Henry
Kozderonas
Jean Stoddard
Stenographer
Ben Hall
Messenger
Jack Carson
Gas Station Attendant
Walter De Palma
Man

Critic Reviews for You Only Live Once

All Critics (11) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (5) | Rotten (0) | DVD (6)

It always seems to be night and raining for its alienated main characters, who have only their love for each other to keep out the cold from the world.

November 9, 2006 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews

| Comment

Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

It stands as a clear precursor for such revered love-on-the-run films as Bonnie and Clyde, Badlands and They Live By Night, but is perhaps better than any of them.

August 5, 2003 Full Review Source: MovieMartyr.com

| Comment

Jeremy Heilman

MovieMartyr.com

A top social drama, inspired by the real Bonnie and Clyde. Lang is in prime directing form.

August 21, 2002 Comment

Bob Bloom

Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)

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Audience Reviews for You Only Live Once

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This movie reminded me of better movies from the 40s. It's an alright story and all, but I couldn't get into it, the dialogue was less than average, and so was the acting. Overall, not a great movie, but not horrible, it does have a realistic story.

October 2, 2010

AJ Verser

Super Reviewer

Sad tale of a luckless man and the woman who stands by him no matter what. Of course the acting is very fine and the direction good but the hopelessness of the film makes it more something to appreciate then actually enjoy.

July 13, 2009