Penitentiary is a 1938 American crime film directed by John Brahm starring Walter Connolly, John Howard, Jean Parker and Robert Barrat. It was the second Columbia Pictures film adaptation of the 1929 stage play The Criminal Code by Martin Flavin, after Howard Hawk's The Criminal Code (1931) and followed by Henry Levin's Convicted (1950).
Contents
Plot
William Jordan is befriended by the man who sent him to prison on a manslaughter charge, former DA (District attorney) now prison warden Matthews. In order to give Jordan the opportunity to rehabilitate himself Matthews allows him to work as chauffeur to his daughter Elizabeth, though he's a bit uncomfortable when Elizabeth falls in love with the young convict. All of this extra effort goes out the window when Jordan, adhering to the "criminal code" of never snitching on a fellow con, allows himself to be implicated in the murder of another convict. Jordan is saved from the death penalty by a last-minute confession of his hard-bitten but honorable cellmate.
Cast
Walter Connolly as Thomas Matthews
John Howard as William Jordan
Jean Parker as Elizabeth Matthews
Robert Barrat as Captain Grady
Marc Lawrence as Jack Hawkins
Arthur Hohl as Finch
Dick Curtis as Tex
Paul Fix as Runch
Marjorie Main as Katie Matthews
Edward Van Sloan as Dr. Rinewulf
Ann Doran as Blanche Williams
Dick Elliott as McNaulty
Charles Halton as Leonard Nettleford
Thurston Hall as Judge
Ward Bond as Red, prison barber
John Gallaudet as State Attorney
Stanley Andrews as Captain Dorn
James Flavin as Doran
Bruce Mitchell as Bailiff
George Magrill as Richard