The read
Critics rate it 18 points higher than audiences do.
Synopsis
Mr. Morris, the owner of a large metropolitan department store, gives jobs to paroled ex-convicts in an effort to help them reform and go straight. Among his 'employed-prison-graduates' are Helen Roberts and Joe Dennis, working as sales clerks. Joe is in love with Helen and asks her to marry him, but she is forbidden to marry as she is still on parole, but she says yes and they are married. In spite of their poverty-level life, their marriage is a happy one until Joe discovers she has lied about her past, in order to marry him. Disillusioned, he leaves, goes back to his old gang and plans to rob the department store.
Ratings
IMDb6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes86%
Critics rate it 18 points higher than audiences do.
46 audience votes
Key crew
- Virginia Van UppScreenplay
- Fritz LangDirector
- Kurt WeillOriginal Music Composer
Cast
- Sylvia SidneyHelen Roberts
- George RaftJoe Dennis
- Barton MacLaneMickey
- Harry CareyMr. Morris
- Roscoe KarnsCuffy
- George E. StonePasty
- Warren HymerGimpy Carter
- Robert CummingsJim
- Adrian MorrisKnucks
- Roger GrayBath House
- Cecil CunninghamMrs. Morris
- Vera GordonMrs. Levine
Stills
Themes
prisondepartment storemusicalfemale prisonerparolesecond chanceex-connewlywedyoung coupleparoleesmarital conflictgoing straight