The Criminal Code (1930): Cast & Plot
The Criminal Code is a 1930 crime drama directed by Howard Hawks, starring Phillips Holmes as Robert Graham, Walter Huston and Constance Cummings. It runs 1 hour 37 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 37m (97 min)
- Director
- Howard Hawks
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Columbia Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Criminal Code About?
The premise of The Criminal Code without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
After a drunk fight leaves Robert Graham guilty of murder while defending his girlfriend, prosecutor Mark Brady secures a ten‑year sentence. Six years later, now warden, Brady hires the inmate as his chauffeur. On the eve of a pardon, his cellmate pulls him back into violence, forcing a choice that could send him back to prison.
The Criminal Code Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- train station
- prostitute
- pinochle the card game
- cynicism
- actor recreates his stage role
- responsibility
- stabbing
- brother sister relationship
- prison riot
- melodrama
- double exposure camera effect
- cellmate cellmate relationship
+38 more Show fewer
- respect
- betrayal
- professionalism
- self righteousness
- based on a stage play
- stethoscope
- trust
- marching
- fast motion scene
- teapot
- bad omen
- father and daughter reunited
- arrest
- father and daughter living together
- barred window
- police detective
- escape attempt
- drugged tea
- bread slicer
- doctor makes a house call
- father daughter kiss on the lips
- criminal justice
- father kisses daughter on the lips
- revenge killing
- hit with a bottle
- shot trying to escape
- snaggletooth
- code of silence
- father daughter hug
- woman showing her leg
- four years later
- knockout punch
- squealing
- playing pinochle
- shiv
- thompson sub machine gun
- prison warden
- prisoner murdered
The Criminal Code Cast & Characters
Phillips Holmes leads the cast as Robert Graham, with Walter Huston as Mark Brady and Constance Cummings as Mary Brady. Directed by Howard Hawks; 26 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Howard Hawks
- Phillips Holmes as Robert Graham
- Walter Huston as Mark Brady
- Constance Cummings as Mary Brady
-
Boris Karloff as Ned Galloway
Also Starring in The Criminal Code
· 22 more- DeWitt Jennings Yard Captain Gleason
- Arthur Hoyt Leonard Nettleford
- John St. Polis Dr. Rinewulf
- Andy Devine Cluck (uncredited)
- Harold Huber Convict in Yard
- Lee Phelps Detective Doherty
- Al Hill Jerry
- Frank Hagney Prison Guard in Yard
- Paul Porcasi Tony Spelvin
- John Sheehan 'Mac' McManus
- Russell Hopton State's Attorney
- Bob Kortman Red, the Convict Barber (uncredited)
- Otto Hoffman Jim Fales
- Ethel Wales Katie Ryan
- Mary Doran Gertrude Williams
- Tetsu Komai Convict
Show all 26 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Nicholas Soussanin Convict
- Harry Lamont Convict
- Clark Marshall Runch
- James Guilfoyle Detective Doran
- Jack Vance Reporter
- Hugh Walker Lew
The Criminal Code Plot Summary
What happens in The Criminal Code 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
Six years of hard labor in the prison jute mill have taken a heavy toll on the young man, Robert Graham, who was convicted of manslaughter after a drunken brawl. The prison’s doctor and psychiatrist urge a change of duties before psychological damage becomes irreversible, and the warden—who helped send him away when he was a district attorney—decides to turn Graham into his personal valet. This unexpected reversal gives Graham a surprising taste of a different life, and he finds himself drawn in particular to the warden’s pretty young daughter,
Full summary
The whole story of The Criminal Code, scene by scene
The Criminal Code Also Known As
10 alternative titles, including “Le Code criminel” and “El código penal”.
- Also known as
-
- Le Code criminel
- El código penal
- Das Strafgesetzbuch
- El código criminal
- Codice penale
- Наказателен кодекс
- O Código Penal
- 刑法典
- De dömdas lag
- Trestní zákoník
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The Criminal Code FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Criminal Code, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Criminal Code?
The Criminal Code runs 1 hour 37 minutes (97 minutes).
When was The Criminal Code released?
The Criminal Code was released on December 31, 1930.
Who directed The Criminal Code?
The Criminal Code was directed by Howard Hawks.
More films by Howard Hawks Who is in the cast of The Criminal Code?
The Criminal Code stars Phillips Holmes as Robert Graham, Walter Huston as Mark Brady and Constance Cummings as Mary Brady, among 26 credited actors.
Does The Criminal Code have a post-credit scene?
No. The Criminal Code has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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