The Warner Brothers studio was known for its serious, hard hitting crime dramas in the 1930's, especially during the pre-code period. This excellent film directed by Michael Curtiz is definitely one of the best. Spencer Tracy, a contract player at Fox (later known as 20th Century-Fox) was loaned to Warners and paired with young Bette Davis, who was working hard in her apprenticeship years. It was the one and only collaboration between these two legendary stars.
Tracy plays career criminal Tommy Connors, who is sentenced to 5-30 years in prison for armed robbery and assault with a deadly weapon. Cocky and unrepentant, Tommy swears to be as uncooperative and rebellious as possible. His associate, Joe Finn (Louis Calhern) promises to get Tommy out of prison and also tries to bribe the warden, Paul Long (Arthur Byron), to make life easy for Tommy, but the warden refuses the bribe. The warden is determined to make Tommy cooperative by confining him to his cell. Eventually, Tommy breaks down and becomes a part of prison life, even learning to respect the warden. Tommy's girlfriend, Fay Wilson (Bette Davis), visits him frequently. She tells Tommy that she is spending time with Finn, hoping he can use his influence to get Tommy paroled.
When several inmates plan a prison break, Tommy is at first involved. But when the break is scheduled for a Saturday, Tommy backs out. He is superstitious about Saturday, because he has always had bad luck on that day. When the warden receives a telegram saying that Fay has been seriously injured in an auto accident and may not live, he grants Tommy a 24 hour leave to go and see her. Tommy swears to return to prison. But Tommy learns that Finn was responsible for Fay's accident and is asking her to sign a statement exonerating him, for which he will pay her $5,000. Fay has agreed so that she can give the money to Tommy. Tommy steals a gun belonging to Finn, intending to kill him. But Fay convinces him to give her the gun. When Finn arrives and threatens Tommy's life, Fay kills Finn. Tommy takes the gun from her while she secretly puts the $5,000 in his pocket. Tommy flees, and Finn accuses Tommy of the shooting before he dies.
Tommy is now a fugitive, while the warden is forced to resign for allowing Tommy to go free. But just when he is about to sign the resignation papers, Tommy returns, keeping his promise. He is sentenced to die in the electric chair for the murder of Joe Finn, even though Fay, who has recovered from her injuries, admitted in court that she fired the shot. Tommy accepts his fate and tells Fay to go on with her life and find a good man.
This fast paced drama is well written and well acted by all concerned. Tracy gives an energetic, nuanced portrayal of the recalcitrant Tommy, who evolves into a completely sympathetic character. Bette Davis was at the peak of her young beauty in this film. While the actress wasn't always happy with the roles assigned to her by the studio, she loved working with Tracy and always wished they could have made more films together. Davis is able to bring a combination of vulnerability and strength to Fay, the kind of strength that would soon personify her screen image and make her into a major star. Not only is there a lot of chemistry between the two leading players, but also between Tracy and Arthur Byron as the warden. The two men display strong, determined personalities that clash in the beginning. But as the narrative continues, they develop a relationship of mutual trust and respect. The last scene in the film shows the warden and Tommy during the last minutes before Tommy's execution. The warden is lighting a cigar for Tommy, but his hands begin to shake. Tommy takes hold of the hand and steadies it as the two men look into each other's eyes. The action is performed without dialogue, and it's a powerful display of emotional connection.
Also featuring Lyle Talbot, Warren Hymer and Grant Mitchell. 20,000 YEARS IN SING SING is another masterpiece from the Golden Age of Hollywood.
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