Google Ads
Login | Sign Up

The Criminal Code Overview:

The Criminal Code (1931) was a Crime - Drama Film directed by Howard Hawks (uncredited) and produced by Howard Hawks and Harry Cohn.

SYNOPSIS

A young man, unjustly jailed for killing another man in self-defense, finds himself in for a hard time when the district attorney who successful convicted and jailed him turns up as the new warden. Remade as Penitentiary in 1938 and as Convicted in 1950.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

Academy Awards 1930/31 --- Ceremony Number 4 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best WritingSeton I. Miller, Fred Niblo, Jr.Nominated
See More Oscar Winners

The Criminal Code BlogHub Articles:

The Criminal Code (1931): Howard Hawks in The Big House

By 4 Star Film Fan on Jan 25, 2022 From 4 Star Films

Although this is still a very early talkie, you can already see Howard Hawks developing a more intricate sense of dialogue which he would be known for in his pictures — most notably His Girl Friday. In the opening scene at the police station, we have dialogue piled on top of each other between... Read full article

Day 28 of Noirvember: Convicted and The Criminal Code

By shadowsandsatin on Nov 28, 2015 From Shadows and Satin

Today’s Noirvember post takes a look at two films: one from the film noir era and one from the pre-Code era. Did you know…? Join me tomorrow for Day 29 of Noirvember! ~ by shadowsandsatin on November 28, 2015. Posted in Noir Films, Noirvember 2015 Tags: Convicted, film noir, Glenn Fo... Read full article

Pre-Code vs Post-Code: "The Criminal Code" and "Convicted"

By David on Aug 20, 2015 From The Man on the Flying Trapeze

The title of the 1931 film"The Criminal Code," based on Martin Flavin's 1929 play, refers to two different codes -- the one in the law books, cut and dried and in black and white, administered by men like district attorney Martin Brady (Walter Huston). The other is the unofficial code among prison i... Read full article

Pre-Code vs Post-Code: "The Criminal Code" and "Convicted"

By David on Aug 20, 2015 From The Man on the Flying Trapeze

The title of the 1931 film"The Criminal Code," based on Martin Flavin's 1929 play, refers to two different codes -- the one in the law books, cut and dried and in black and white, administered by men like district attorney Martin Brady (Walter Huston). The other is the unofficial code among prison i... Read full article

The Criminal Code (1931) and Convicted (1950): When Worlds Collide

By shadowsandsatin on Jul 17, 2011 From Shadows and Satin

Every now and then, the worlds of Pre-Code and film noir have more in common than we might think. The films The Criminal Code and Convicted are a prime example. Here’s more about these two features: The 1950 film noir Convicted, starring Glenn Ford as a brokerage-firm worker imprisoned after accid... Read full article

See More The Criminal Code Articles

The Criminal Code 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.
Mark Brady: [as a pretty witness puts up her skirt to show her leg] Never mind that. Pull down the shade.
Mark Brady: The criminal code is my bible.
Mark Brady: [Referring to the State's Attorney after he's left the room] Fathead!
[He takes a cigar]
Mark Brady: Fathead!
See More Quotes from The Criminal Code
The Criminal Code Facts
Boris Karloff had previously played the role of Galloway in a stage production.
The only non-Caucasian prisoner in the 2500-man prison is Japanese Tetsu Komai.
The play opened on Broadway in New York City, New York, USA on 2 October 1929 and closed in March 1930 after 173 performances. The opening night cast included Arthur Byron as Brady, Russell Hardie as Graham, Anita Kerry as Mary Brady, Burr Caruth, Ethel Griffies and Walter Kingsford. Galloway was played by Henry Crossen.
After drugging Katie the housekeeper with tea to insure his alibi, Galloway pours out the contents of the cup in the sink, presumably to preclude any analysis of it, but he leaves the teapot to be discovered.
See More Facts about The Criminal Code >>