Usually when Warner Brothers remade some of their earlier hit films, they were done as quick B films. The studio's B unit could save money by reusing stories the studio already owned. If they were remaking a precode, slight modifications to the original script might be necessary, to meet the moral criteria of the production code office.
Interestingly, when WB remade THE LIFE OF JIMMY DOLAN six years later as THEY MADE ME A CRIMINAL, it still had an "A" budget, with a top-notch cast and strong production values. The new title sounded a bit more sensational, but the story was now family friendly.
The original film features Douglas Fairbanks Jr., who is slightly miscast as a rough boxer that accidentally kills a reporter with an angry blow to the head. Through a twist of fate that happens only in the movies, a thief (Lyle Talbot) who absconded with Fairbanks' watch is killed in a fiery car crash. Talbot's corpse, which is conveniently burned beyond recognition, is mistaken for Fairbanks.
In the next part, Fairbanks changes his name and legs it to the southwest. He soon settles at a ranch in Arizona, getting a fresh start. While working on the ranch, he falls in love with an attractive woman (Loretta Young).
The key plot difference in the remake, which has John Garfield and Gloria Dickson in the main roles, is as follows...Garfield is innocent and doesn't really kill anyone; he's just falsely accused. Thus, he will not have to go to prison in the end, per the code.
In the original, Fairbanks' character is indeed guilty of the killing, yet he is allowed to get away with it. Even though the charge would likely have been manslaughter, instead of murder.
In both versions, there is a detective on the trail. Character actor Guy Kibbee does the investigating in THE LIFE OF JIMMY DOLAN. Claude Rains, who receives higher billing, handles these duties in THEY MADE ME A CRIMINAL.
Another significant difference is that the kids on the ranch in the first film are crippled children. One of them is played by a young Mickey Rooney. Whereas in the second film, the kids are juvenile delinquents trying to reform. They're played by the Dead End Kids.
The remake fell into the public domain, so it has become the more widely seen version. I do think Garfield is better suited to the role of a guy wronged by society, though these types of characterizations would quickly typecast the actor.
The remake also benefits from the inclusion of a feisty old grandma, portrayed by May Robson. She has a patent on these types of irascible old gals. Her gruffness is often undermined by a softer side that emerges when she and her family seem like they are down for the count.
Interestingly, when WB remade THE LIFE OF JIMMY DOLAN six years later as THEY MADE ME A CRIMINAL, it still had an "A" budget, with a top-notch cast and strong production values. The new title sounded a bit more sensational, but the story was now family friendly.
The original film features Douglas Fairbanks Jr., who is slightly miscast as a rough boxer that accidentally kills a reporter with an angry blow to the head. Through a twist of fate that happens only in the movies, a thief (Lyle Talbot) who absconded with Fairbanks' watch is killed in a fiery car crash. Talbot's corpse, which is conveniently burned beyond recognition, is mistaken for Fairbanks.
In the next part, Fairbanks changes his name and legs it to the southwest. He soon settles at a ranch in Arizona, getting a fresh start. While working on the ranch, he falls in love with an attractive woman (Loretta Young).
The key plot difference in the remake, which has John Garfield and Gloria Dickson in the main roles, is as follows...Garfield is innocent and doesn't really kill anyone; he's just falsely accused. Thus, he will not have to go to prison in the end, per the code.
In the original, Fairbanks' character is indeed guilty of the killing, yet he is allowed to get away with it. Even though the charge would likely have been manslaughter, instead of murder.
In both versions, there is a detective on the trail. Character actor Guy Kibbee does the investigating in THE LIFE OF JIMMY DOLAN. Claude Rains, who receives higher billing, handles these duties in THEY MADE ME A CRIMINAL.
Another significant difference is that the kids on the ranch in the first film are crippled children. One of them is played by a young Mickey Rooney. Whereas in the second film, the kids are juvenile delinquents trying to reform. They're played by the Dead End Kids.
The remake fell into the public domain, so it has become the more widely seen version. I do think Garfield is better suited to the role of a guy wronged by society, though these types of characterizations would quickly typecast the actor.
The remake also benefits from the inclusion of a feisty old grandma, portrayed by May Robson. She has a patent on these types of irascible old gals. Her gruffness is often undermined by a softer side that emerges when she and her family seem like they are down for the count.