The Big House

The Big House (1930)

  • 80% of critics liked it
    (5 reviews)

  • 75% of users liked it
    (269 ratings)

Not the first of the prison pictures, but the one that truly put the genre on the map. Playboy Kent (Robert Montgomery), driving drunk, kills a couple of pedestrians and is sentenced to a 10-year manslaughter term. His cellmate is forger Morgan (Chester Morris), a tough but essentially decent con;… More

Play Trailer

Unrated,
Directed By
,
Written By
Frances Marion
Genres
Drama, Classics
In Theaters
May 14, 1930 Wide
Warner Bros.

Critic Reviews

  • Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

    A good early prison drama with a strong, Oscar-nominated performance of Wallace Beery as a tough murderer; Beery took over after Lon Chaney's sudden death.

  • Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

    Despite its flaws, for those who love this genre it's a must see film.

  • Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies

    Any niggling doubts about the film disappear in the last twenty minutes.

  • Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

    Great early prison drama from the ever-inventive George Hill.

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

  • Stella D


    an early prison break film. robert montgomery is completely overshadowed by the now forgotten actor chester morris. i'm afraid montgomery would be everyone's bitch at prison. wallace beery is fun and this film made him a huge star. frances marion became the first woman… More

  • John B


    A classic jailhouse saga.

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