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IMDbPro

The Criminal Code

  • 19301930
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 37m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
1.2K
YOUR RATING
Constance Cummings, Phillips Holmes, and Walter Huston in The Criminal Code (1930)
  • Crime
  • Drama
  • Romance
After a failed attempt at running for governor, D.A. Mark Brady is appointed warden of the state prison where many of the criminals he prosecuted are incarcerated.After a failed attempt at running for governor, D.A. Mark Brady is appointed warden of the state prison where many of the criminals he prosecuted are incarcerated.After a failed attempt at running for governor, D.A. Mark Brady is appointed warden of the state prison where many of the criminals he prosecuted are incarcerated.
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
1.2K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Howard Hawks
  • Writers
    • Martin Flavin(from the stage play by)
    • Fred Niblo Jr.(adaptation & added dialogue)
    • Seton I. Miller(adaptation & added dialogue)
  • Stars
    • Walter Huston
    • Phillips Holmes
    • Constance Cummings
Top credits
  • Director
    • Howard Hawks
  • Writers
    • Martin Flavin(from the stage play by)
    • Fred Niblo Jr.(adaptation & added dialogue)
    • Seton I. Miller(adaptation & added dialogue)
  • Stars
    • Walter Huston
    • Phillips Holmes
    • Constance Cummings
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 28User reviews
    • 21Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 1 nomination total

    Photos15

    Constance Cummings and John St. Polis in The Criminal Code (1930)
    Constance Cummings and Walter Huston in The Criminal Code (1930)
    Constance Cummings, Phillips Holmes, and Walter Huston in The Criminal Code (1930)
    Phillips Holmes, Walter Huston, and DeWitt Jennings in The Criminal Code (1930)
    Constance Cummings and Phillips Holmes in The Criminal Code (1930)
    Constance Cummings and Walter Huston in The Criminal Code (1930)
    Phillips Holmes in The Criminal Code (1930)
    Boris Karloff in The Criminal Code (1930)
    Howard Hawks in The Criminal Code (1930)
    Phillips Holmes and Walter Huston in The Criminal Code (1930)
    Constance Cummings and Phillips Holmes in The Criminal Code (1930)
    Mary Doran and Walter Huston in The Criminal Code (1930)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Walter Huston
    Walter Huston
    • Mark Bradyas Mark Brady
    Phillips Holmes
    Phillips Holmes
    • Robert Grahamas Robert Graham
    Constance Cummings
    Constance Cummings
    • Mary Bradyas Mary Brady
    Boris Karloff
    Boris Karloff
    • Gallowayas Galloway
    DeWitt Jennings
    DeWitt Jennings
    • Captain Gleasonas Captain Gleason
    • (as De Witt Jennings)
    Mary Doran
    Mary Doran
    • Gertrude Williamsas Gertrude Williams
    Ethel Wales
    Ethel Wales
    • Katie Ryanas Katie Ryan
    Clark Marshall
    Clark Marshall
    • Runchas Runch
    Arthur Hoyt
    Arthur Hoyt
    • Leonard Nettlefordas Leonard Nettleford
    John St. Polis
    John St. Polis
    • Dr. Rinewulfas Dr. Rinewulf
    Paul Porcasi
    Paul Porcasi
    • Tony Spelvinas Tony Spelvin
    • (as Paul Porcassi)
    Otto Hoffman
    Otto Hoffman
    • Jim Falesas Jim Fales
    John Sheehan
    John Sheehan
    • McManusas McManus
    Richard Bishop
    • Minor Roleas Minor Role
    • (uncredited)
    Andy Devine
    Andy Devine
    • Cluck - a Convict with knifeas Cluck - a Convict with knife
    • (uncredited)
    James Guilfoyle
    • Detective Doranas Detective Doran
    • (uncredited)
    Frank Hagney
    Frank Hagney
    • Prison Guard in Yardas Prison Guard in Yard
    • (unconfirmed)
    • (uncredited)
    Al Hill
    Al Hill
    • Jerryas Jerry
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Howard Hawks
    • Writers
      • Martin Flavin(from the stage play by)
      • Fred Niblo Jr.(adaptation & added dialogue)
      • Seton I. Miller(adaptation & added dialogue)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The prison yard sequence was shot at M-G-M, using the set originally built for "The Big House" (1930).
    • Goofs
      Robert calculates there are 52,560 hours in six years. However, he forgets leap years with their extra day. So, in a span of six years there would actually be 52,584 or 52,608 hours, depending on if that period included one or two leap years.
    • Quotes

      Mark Brady: [to Graham] Tough luck, Bob, but that's the way they break sometimes. You got to take them the way they fall.

    • Crazy credits
      The film's credits do not say that Howard Hawks directed the film; instead, they say that the film is "A Howard Hawks Production."
    • Connections
      Alternate-language version of El código penal (1931)
    • Soundtracks
      Romance
      (uncredited)

      Music by Henry Geehl

    User reviews28

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Criminally underrated!
    The Criminal Code (1931) is often passed over when it comes to discussion of the films of Howard Hawks, but it's actually one of my favorites from him.

    There are a lot of stagey aspects to be sure and the central love story is pretty boring, but there's just so much to love. The film experiments with sound, overlapping dialogue and using crowd noise as a plot element.

    The two standout actors are Walter Huston and a pre-stardom Boris Karloff. Anytime either of them walks on screen, everyone else just evaporates. Huston does a great job making the audience love and despise his character. And Karloff is just mesmerizing as Galloway, a convict hell-bent on vengeance.

    No masterpiece, but it is an early sign of Hawks' genius. And I would take it over Bringing Up Baby (1938) and His Girl Friday (1940) any day of the week.
    helpful•11
    1
    • MissSimonetta
    • Oct 10, 2014

    FAQ1

    • Why was Howard Hawks uncredited as director?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 3, 1931 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • De dömdas lag
    • Filming locations
      • Columbia/Sunset Gower Studios - 1438 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Columbia Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 37 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.20 : 1

    Related news

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    Constance Cummings, Phillips Holmes, and Walter Huston in The Criminal Code (1930)
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