The Big House | 1930 | Crime Drama

Title: The Big House | 1930 | Crime Drama Director: George W. Hill Studio: Cosmopolitan Productions / Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Starring: Chester Morris, Wallace Beery, Lewis Stone, Robert Montgomery, Leila Hyams, George F. Marion, J. C. Nugent Based on: Original screenplay by Frances Marion with additional dialogue by Joe Farnham and Martin Flavin Release Date: June 1930 Runtime: 87 minutes Format: Black and white with sound Country: United States Language: English Genres: Crime Drama Prison --- Chapters: 00:00:00 Introduction and sentencing of Kent Marlowe 00:15:00 Prison induction and cell block life 00:30:00 Inmate hierarchy and alliances 00:45:00 Tensions with guards and labor detail 01:00:00 Riot escalation and breakout attempt 01:15:00 Climax and aftermath --- Summary: The Big House is a 1930 American prison drama that follows Kent Marlowe, a man convicted of manslaughter after a fatal drunk driving incident, as he enters a large penitentiary and confronts the harsh realities of incarceration. Inside, Marlowe meets hardened inmates and navigates a rigid prison social order while forming unexpected connections. The story builds toward a dramatic prison riot, highlighting the psychological and physical pressures faced by prisoners and the institutional forces that shape their lives. The narrative blends gritty realism with character-driven drama as Marlowe’s morality and survival instincts are tested amid conflict between inmates and authorities, culminating in a conflict that redefines his sense of self and justice. --- Background: Directed by George W. Hill for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and written by Frances Marion, The Big House was one of the earliest significant sound films to explore prison life in a serious dramatic context. The production was notable for its stark portrayal of institutional routines, inmate interactions, and the systemic conditions that defined penal facilities in the early sound era. The screenplay’s intensity and layered characters helped establish narrative conventions that shaped many subsequent prison dramas. --- Trivia: The Big House was nominated for Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor for Wallace Beery. Frances Marion became one of the first women to win an Academy Award for screenwriting, earning the honor for her work on this film. The film’s portrayal of prison life influenced later films in the genre with its focus on tension, institutional critique, and character conflict. --- Public Domain / Rights: Original Release: June 1930 Original Studio / Distributor: Cosmopolitan Productions / Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Copyright Status: Public Domain Renewal: Not applicable --- Hashtags: #TheBigHouse1930 #PrisonDrama #ClassicCinema #PublicDomain #EarlySoundFilm