207-208 The Criminal Code & Twentieth Century

[Drucker]

Finally cracked open Criminal Code last night. I loved loved loved Twentieth Century, but it still took me two plus years to open Criminal Code, which I liked but didn't love. Walter Huston is really great in the film. Karloff is also sensational, and I did not realize while watching the film that it actually pre-dated Karloff's stardom at Universal, but it certainly makes sense, and given his role and the way he was lit throughout several key scenes, it certainly seemed like he'd be ready to be in monster movies! There are some really well shot scenes and some great early-sound effects shots, but the film sort of drags until the main plot kicks in. By the third or fourth reel, it kind of feels like a slog to get through. Once we get to the prison escape plot, the film gets going, and the last thirty minutes or so are very very exciting. One thing that didn't make sense to me though is that

Spoiler

there are three people in a prison cell. One tries to escape, one is at the scene of a murder, and yet nobody seems to think that maybe, just maybe the third person in that cell is also involved in the murder plot somehow.

The film also has some very interesting early commentary on the role of District Attorneys in upholding the law, and asking how much they are to blame in sentencing decent men to prison and breaking their spirit in the cause of upholding "an eye for an eye," but I sure wish the film spent a little more time on this, as Huston doesn't really get enough of a chance to actually reflect on his own actions (with the exception of the one scene with the politician).