Hell's Highway (1932)

Director:

Rowland Brown

Writers:

Samuel Ornitz (by), Robert Tasker (by),

Stars:

Richard Dix, Tom Brown, Rochelle Hudson

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Richard Dix	...	Duke Ellis
Tom Brown	...	Johnny Ellis
Rochelle Hudson	...	Mary Ellen
C. Henry Gordon	...	Skinner
Oscar Apfel	...	Billings
Stanley Fields	...	Whiteside
John Arledge	...	Carter
Warner Richmond	...	Pop-Eye
Charles Middleton	...	Matthew (as Chas. Middleton)
Clarence Muse	...	Rascal
Louise Carter	...	Mrs. Ellis
Sandy Roth	...	Maxie
Fuzzy Knight	...	Society Red

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

bare feet | self sacrifice | mute | fire | murder | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 September 1932 (USA)

Also Known As:

Gloria y hambre

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

62 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Photophone System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

A preview print had Richard Dix being shot and killed after saving his brother Tom Brown, but the ending was changed before the final release of the film.

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Connections

Featured in A Personal Journey with Martin Scorsese Through American Movies (1995)

User Reviews

The Unfunny Side of "O Brother, Where Art Thou?"

Having seen "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" recently, that film came to mind soon after Hell's Highway began. The similarities were obvious-- chain gangs, road work, harsh guards, escape, pursuit and capture. Even the music was similar-- worksong spirituals sung in rich harmony by black male choruses. But where "O Brother" wove humor and comedy throughout the story, "Hell's Highway" was hard, gritty, and definitely humor-less. You're told at the beginning this film is on the bandwagon of penal reform that must have existed at that time, showing the abuses and brutality and the efforts to stop it. It does this quite well, even with the corny (by today's culture)"Oh gosh, gee whillickers, Ma" script and acting that appeared occasionally. Producer David O. Selznick must have been a closet pyromaniac--a powerful scene in which the prison camp burns certainly called to mind the burning of Atlanta in "Gone With the Wind." This Depression-era film showed that even decent folks could find themselves behind the 8-ball of life. Overall, an excellent insight into one aspect of early 20th century American culture. Ignore the outdated-ness of the film and you'll learn a lot.