Black Fury (1935): Cast & Plot
Black Fury is a 1935 drama directed by Michael Curtiz, starring Paul Muni as Joe Radek, Karen Morley and Mae Marsh. It runs 1 hour 34 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 34m (94 min)
- Director
- Michael Curtiz
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- First National Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Black Fury About?
The premise of Black Fury without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
The ruthless enforcer from the frontier town called “Bordertown” brings explosives into the heart of humanity, while a modest Pennsylvania coal miner becomes entangled in a brutal clash between unionized workers and the mine’s management, forcing him to confront the stakes of the labor dispute.
Black Fury Themes & Keywords
· 33 tags- immigrant
- coal miner
- pennsylvania
- labor union
- deception
- color in title
- male female relationship
- tear gas
- strike
- strike breaker
- romantic rivalry
- rivalry
+21 more Show fewer
- riot
- police
- party
- meeting
- labor violence
- hospital
- gunfire
- force
- fistfight
- explosive
- eviction
- engagement
- employer employee relationship
- elopement
- drunkenness
- dog
- dance
- beating
- bar
- based on novel
- based on play
Black Fury Cast & Characters
Paul Muni leads the cast as Joe Radek, with Karen Morley as Anna Novak and Mae Marsh as Mrs. Mary Novak. Directed by Michael Curtiz; 16 actors are credited in all.
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Director Michael Curtiz
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Paul Muni as Joe Radek -
Karen Morley as Anna Novak - Mae Marsh as Mrs. Mary Novak
-
John Qualen as Mike Shemanski
Also Starring in Black Fury
· 12 more- Barton MacLane McGee
- Joseph Crehan Johnny Farrell
- Ward Bond Mac - Company Policeman
- Henry O'Neill John W. Hendricks
- J. Carrol Naish Steve Croner
- Akim Tamiroff Sokolsky
- Vince Barnett Kubanda
- Tully Marshall Tommy Poole
- Leo White Miner (uncredited)
- Harry Cording Louie (uncredited)
- William Gargan Slim Johnson, Company Policeman
- Mary Russell Mary (uncredited)
More from Michael Curtiz
More films directed by Michael Curtiz, best-rated first: Casablanca, Mildred Pierce, Captain Blood and Yankee Doodle Dandy.
Black Fury Plot Summary
What happens in Black Fury from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Set in Pennsylvania coal country, the film centers on Joe Radek, a miner of Slavic background. After a heated argument with his girlfriend Anna Novak, he drinks and becomes embroiled in a volatile union meeting, where his presence helps drive a split between radical and moderate factions. The radicals walk out and strike, while the moderates, led by Radek’s best friend Mike Shemanski, stay at work and try to keep the mine’s operation running. The company responds by hiring a private police force cobbled together by a Pinkerton‑type detective agency, turning the conflict into a battlefield of labor and coercion.
Full summary
The whole story of Black Fury, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Black Fury?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is Joe Radek's line of work?
Cars in Black Fury
7 cars on screen, including the 1926 Ford Model T and the Cadillac V-63.
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1926 Ford Model T Important role -
Cadillac V-63 Minor role -
unknown Minor role -
unknown Minor role
Seen Black Fury?
Movies Like Black Fury
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Black Legion, The Sound of Fury and Black Dog.
Black Fury FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Black Fury, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Black Fury?
Black Fury runs 1 hour 34 minutes (94 minutes).
When was Black Fury released?
Black Fury was released on April 10, 1935.
Who directed Black Fury?
Black Fury was directed by Michael Curtiz.
More films by Michael Curtiz Who is in the cast of Black Fury?
Black Fury stars Paul Muni as Joe Radek, Karen Morley as Anna Novak and Mae Marsh as Mrs. Mary Novak, among 16 credited actors.
Does Black Fury have a post-credit scene?
No. Black Fury has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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