The Criminal Code

US (1931): Prison

Brady (Walter Huston), a wily D.A., gets a 10-year conviction of a young 20-year-old named Robert Graham, who he knows killed a man in self defense. Years later Brady becomes warden of the prison holding Graham (Phillips Holmes). When Brady realizes that 6 years of working in the prison jute mill has pushed Graham to the breaking point, he gives him a chance -- a new job as his valet. Graham responds well and earns the respect of both the warden and his beautiful daughter, Mary (Constance Cummings). Graham's mettle is put to the test when he stumbles onto a prison murder committed by his cellmate (Boris Karloff). He must choose between the criminal code of silence and the warden's strong persuasion to reveal the killer. Directed by Howard Hawks for Columbia. (Gary Jackson, IMDb)


· Writing (Adaptation) 1930-31: Seton I. Miller & Fred Niblo, Jr.

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