"20,000 Years in Sing Sing" was the only film Spencer Tracy made at "Warner Bros." He was a last minute replacement for James Cagney who had been suspended by the studio at the time. I thought Tracy did a fine job as the arrogant and pompous hoodlum who thinks he will be treated like royalty whilst serving a prison sentence. He applies a similar acting method in that he is naturalistic. In spite of his average height, Spencer Tracy is quite imposing by his sturdy build. After being given a bit of a rude awakening by the prison governor, Tracy comes to realise that he will need to tow the line like every other convict. Bette Davis doesn't have much screen time but when she is in the film, she has good scenes with Spencer Tracy. The direction is solid and the dialogue is pretty good. There is some effective action and a good supporting cast. This and "Each Dawn I Die," are the best prison films "Warner Bros." made.
