I am a Fugitive From a Chain Gang (1932)

 Based on the true story by Robert Elliot Burns, the title tells the story.  A war veteran down on his luck gets unjustly convicted and sentenced to 6 years on a Georgia Chain Gang. He finds the beatings and conditions intolerable and escapes to Freedom.  Although Warner Brothers won Liberal plaudits for attacking the Chain Gang system, the movie is really an exciting prison picture, with fictitious shootings, car chases, beautiful woman, and savage beatings replacing mundane real life facts.

Given the same story has been done 20 times since (cf: Cool Hand Luke), the movie is surprisingly entertaining and only bogs down when Muni and his lawyers fight extradition back to Georgia.

Acting

Paul Muni - This, along with Scarface, was Muni’s big hit of 1932, and it’s his best performance.  For once, Muni plays it straight and eschews overly broad gestures or phony accents.

Others – Glenda Farrell is a hoot as the adulterous, blackmailing wife and Hale is annoying and overly pompous (no doubt deliberately) as the  Protestant Minister.  Everyone else is adequate.

 Pre-Code Behaviors:   The camera lovingly lingers over a prostitute’s body and makes it clear Muni goes to bed with her.  Later, Farrell isn’t punished for her blackmailing adulterous behavior.   

 Best Lines and Scene (SPOILERS):

Muni:  But I haven't escaped. They're still after me. They'll always be after me. I've had jobs, but I can't keep them. Something happens, someone turns up. I hide in rooms all day and travel by night. No friends, no rest, no peace. Keep moving, that's all that's left for me. Forgive me, Helen. I had to take a chance to see you tonight. Just to say goodbye.

Helen: It was all going to be so different.
Muni: It is different. They've made it different. I've got to go.

Helen: I can't let you go like this. Can't you tell me where you're going? Will you write? Do you need any money? But you must, Jim. How do you live?
Muni: I steal.

THE END.

Summary:  An excellent prison/escape picture, it  starts slow but gets better as it goes along.  Not bad for 1932.  Rating ***