Each Dawn I Die (1939)
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72% of users liked it
(515 ratings)
Otis Ferguson has said of Each Dawn I Die that "the story is of the kind you would have to see to disbelieve." And to be sure, the film is nothing more than a sampler of '30s prison-film conventions. But with the brilliant acting by James Cagney and the fast-paced and hard-edged… More Otis Ferguson has said of Each Dawn I Die that "the story is of the kind you would have to see to disbelieve." And to be sure, the film is nothing more than a sampler of '30s prison-film conventions. But with the brilliant acting by James Cagney and the fast-paced and hard-edged direction of William Keighley, the film clatters past like an express train. Cagney plays Frank Ross, an innocent newspaperman who is railroaded into prison by a corrupt district attorney. In prison, he meets hardened-con Stacey (George Raft). Frank, at first, doesn't want to associate with Stacey and the other prisoners, but trapped in the hellhole prison, he more and more turns into a bitter con. Finally granted a hearing from the parole board, Frank pleads his innocence, but the parole board is headed by Grayce (Victor Jury), the man responsible for his imprisonment, and his parole is denied, and Frank becomes more hardened and embittered. By this point, Stacey has befriended him and agrees to help Frank prove his innocence. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi
- Directed By
- William Keighley
- Written By
- Warren Duff
- Genres
- Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Classics
- In Theaters
- Jul 22, 1939 Wide
Critic Reviews
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
An implausible but enjoyable routine crime drama featuring James Cagney and George Raft.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
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Cast
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James Cagney
as Frank Ross
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George Raft
as Hood Stacey
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Jane Bryan
as Joyce Conover
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George Bancroft
as Warden John Armstrong
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Victor Jory
as W.J. Grayce
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Stanley Ridges
as Mueller
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Max 'Slapsie Maxie' Rosenbloom
as Fargo Red
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Alan Baxter
as Pole Cat Carlisle
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John Wray
as Pete Kassock
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Edward Pawley
as Dale
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Willard Robertson
as Lang
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Emma Dunn
as Mrs. Ross
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Paul Hurst
as Garsky
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Thurston Hall
as District Attorney Jesse Hanley
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Clay Clement
as Attorney Lockhart
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Charles Trowbridge
as Judge
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Harry Cording
as Temple
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Fern Barry
as Accident Witness
- Granville Bates
- Nat Carr
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Eddy Chandler
as Deputy
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John Conte
as Narrator
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William B. Davidson
as Bill Mason
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John Dilson
as Parole Board Member
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Joseph Downing
as Limpy Julien
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Earl Dwire
as Judge Crowder
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James Flavin
as Policeman
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Fred Graham
as Guard in cell
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Mack Gray
as Joe
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Chuck Hamilton
as Court officer
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John Harron
as Lew Keller Reporter
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Louis Jean Heydt
as Joe Lassiter
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Al Hill
as Johnny the Hood
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Max Hoffman Jr.
as Gate guard
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Stuart Holmes
as Accident witness
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Robert E. Homans
as Mac the Guard
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Selmar Jackson
as Patterson
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Vera Lewis
as Jury woman
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Wilfred Lucas
as Bailiff
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Frank Mayo
as Telegraph Editor
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Walter Miller
as Turnkey
- Wedgewood Nowell
- Henry Otho
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Bob Perry
as Bud
- Lee Phelps
- Dick Rich
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John Ridgely
as Jerry Poague Reporter
- Cliff Saum
-
Elliott Sullivan
as Convict
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Emmett Vogan
as Prosecutor
- Tom Wilson
- Jack Wise
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Maris Wrixon
as Girl in Car
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Abner Biberman
as Shake Edwards
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Arthur Gardner
as Men in Car
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Jack C. Smith
as Guard
- Al Lloyd
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Napoleon Simpson
as Mose
- Alice Connors
- Jack Goodrich
- Garland Smith