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IMDbPro

I Am a Criminal

  • 19381938
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 14m
IMDb RATING
5.4/10
55
YOUR RATING
John Carroll, Mary Kornman, Kay Linaker, Craig Reynolds, and Martin Spellman in I Am a Criminal (1938)
CrimeDrama
Brad McArthur hires Clint Reynolds as his press agent when he is charged with manslaughter and wants to build himself up in the public's eye as a humanitarian. Clint has him adopt an orphan ... Read allBrad McArthur hires Clint Reynolds as his press agent when he is charged with manslaughter and wants to build himself up in the public's eye as a humanitarian. Clint has him adopt an orphan newsboy, Bobby, of whom Brad becomes very fond. But Clint and Brad's girlfriend Linda, car... Read allBrad McArthur hires Clint Reynolds as his press agent when he is charged with manslaughter and wants to build himself up in the public's eye as a humanitarian. Clint has him adopt an orphan newsboy, Bobby, of whom Brad becomes very fond. But Clint and Brad's girlfriend Linda, carrying on an affair behind his back, double-cross him. When Linda lies about Bobby, Maggie,... Read all
IMDb RATING
5.4/10
55
YOUR RATING
    • William Nigh
    • Harrison Jacobs(story)
    • John W. Krafft(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • John Carroll
    • Martin Spellman
    • Kay Linaker
    • William Nigh
    • Harrison Jacobs(story)
    • John W. Krafft(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • John Carroll
    • Martin Spellman
    • Kay Linaker
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 4User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos

    John Carroll and Martin Spellman in I Am a Criminal (1938)
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    Top cast

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    John Carroll
    John Carroll
    • Brad McArthur
    Martin Spellman
    Martin Spellman
    • Bobby
    Kay Linaker
    Kay Linaker
    • Linda La Rue
    Lester Matthews
    Lester Matthews
    • District Attorney George Lane
    Craig Reynolds
    Craig Reynolds
    • Clint Reynolds
    Mary Kornman
    Mary Kornman
    • Alice Martin
    May Beatty
    May Beatty
    • Maggie
    Robert Fiske
    Robert Fiske
    • Attorney Phil Collins
    Byron Foulger
    Byron Foulger
    • Ed Harper
    Edward Earle
    Edward Earle
    • Clark
    Jack Kennedy
    • Sheriff
    Allan Cavan
    Allan Cavan
    • De Motte
    Bud Jamison
    Bud Jamison
    • Joe
    • (uncredited)
    Robert Winkler
    Robert Winkler
    • Young Boy
    • (uncredited)
      • William Nigh
      • Harrison Jacobs(story)
      • John W. Krafft(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      The earliest documented telecast of this film occurred Monday 24 January 1944 on New York City's pioneer television station WNBT (Channel 1). Post-WWII television viewers got their first look at in New York City Friday 17 September 1948 on WCBS (Channel 2), in Detroit Thursday 18 November 1948 on WJBK (Channel 2), in Chicago Thursday 30 December 1948 on WBKB (Channel 4) and in Los Angeles Monday 3 October 1949 on KTLA (Channel 5).
    • Connections
      Remade as Smart Guy (1943)

    User reviews4

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    5/10
    John Carroll Is Even-Tempered: Mad All The Time
    John Carroll is a gangster. that's what the D.A. says, even though Carroll says he's just in the entertainment industry, running a nightclub. When the DA's son is killed in an accident at Carroll's joint, Carroll's on the hook for manslaughter. On advice, he tries a Robin Hood act, including taking care of orphan Martin Spellman. As time goes on and the pressure mounts, Carroll develops real fondness for the boy.

    Unfortunately for this Monogram production, Carroll's role is written so he spells in short, disconnected sentences, and he adopts a pugnacious manner. It's not inconsistent with the character, but it's unvarying and not very interesting, totally unsuitable for developing much sympathy for him. Director William Nigh can't seem to do much to overcome this; as someone whose career as a director peaked in the early 1920s, he never seemed to have adapted to the balancing dialogue and action to tell a balanced story.
    helpful•3
    0
    • boblipton
    • Aug 17, 2019

    Details

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    • Release date
      • December 7, 1938 (United States)
      • United States
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Malibou Lake, Agoura, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Crescent Pictures Corporation
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 1 hour 14 minutes
      • Black and White

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