The Big House
Convicted of manslaughter for a drunken driving accident, Kent Marlowe is sent to prison, where he meets vicious incarcerated figures who are planning an escape from the brutal conditions.
From the archive
The Big House is a significant American pre-Code prison drama film directed by George W. Hill and features a notable cast including Chester Morris, Wallace Beery, Lewis Stone, and Robert Montgomery. The story revolves around Kent Marlowe (Robert Montgomery), a young man sentenced to ten years for manslaughter after a drunk driving incident. He finds himself in an overcrowded prison, where he shares a cell with two dominant inmates: Butch (Wallace Beery), a violent career criminal, and Morgan (Chester Morris), who tries to help Kent navigate prison life. The film explores themes of survival, betrayal, and the harsh realities of incarceration. The Big House is considered one of the first influential prison films, setting the stage for many that followed. It is noted for its realistic portrayal of prison life and character-driven narrative, making it a classic in the genre. The film's impact is still recognized today, influencing later works in cinema.
Why this is free to watch
The Big House (1930) is hosted by the Internet Archive as a public-domain or openly licensed work, which means its copyright has expired, lapsed, or was released by the rights holder. The uploader declared an explicit licence, linked in the source panel. Nitrate streams the file directly from the Archive and hosts no video itself.
- Director
- George W. Hill
- Starring
- Chester Morris, Wallace Beery, Lewis Stone, Robert Montgomery, Leila Hyams, George F. Marion, J. C. Nugent, Karl Dane
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