Logo What's After the Movie

You Only Live Once 1937

A harrowing drama of love and murder loosely inspired by Bonnie and Clyde. Ex‑convict Eddie Taylor can’t find a break after his release, and when he’s framed for murder he must flee with his wife Joan Graham and their baby. While on the run after a death sentence, Eddie becomes a true killer, condemning both himself and Joan to a relentless road of crime and death.

A harrowing drama of love and murder loosely inspired by Bonnie and Clyde. Ex‑convict Eddie Taylor can’t find a break after his release, and when he’s framed for murder he must flee with his wife Joan Graham and their baby. While on the run after a death sentence, Eddie becomes a true killer, condemning both himself and Joan to a relentless road of crime and death.

Does You Only Live Once have end credit scenes?

No!

You Only Live Once does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of You Only Live Once

Explore the complete cast of You Only Live Once, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ward Bond

Ward Bond

Casey - Guard (uncredited)

Jack Carson

Jack Carson

Attendant in First Gas Station

Sylvia Sidney

Sylvia Sidney

Joan Graham

Henry Fonda

Henry Fonda

Eddie Taylor

Margaret Hamilton

Margaret Hamilton

Hester

James Flavin

James Flavin

State Trooper (uncredited)

Don Brodie

Don Brodie

Compositor (uncredited)

John Wray

John Wray

Warden Wheeler

Jonathan Hale

Jonathan Hale

District Attorney (uncredited)

Barton MacLane

Barton MacLane

Stephen Whitney

Jerome Cowan

Jerome Cowan

Dr. Hill

Charles C. Wilson

Charles C. Wilson

Police Inspector (uncredited)

Ben Hall

Ben Hall

Messenger with Package (uncredited)

William Gargan

William Gargan

Father Dolan

Dick Elliott

Dick Elliott

Newspaper Editor (uncredited)

Al Bridge

Al Bridge

Guard (uncredited)

Harry Cording

Harry Cording

Guard (uncredited)

Stanley Blystone

Stanley Blystone

Rafferty - Guard (uncredited)

Ted Oliver

Ted Oliver

State Trooper (uncredited)

Franklyn Farnum

Franklyn Farnum

Plainclothesman (uncredited)

Max Wagner

Max Wagner

Dan - Corridor Guard (uncredited)

Frank Mills

Frank Mills

Man Telling Eddie of Phone Call (uncredited)

Lee Phelps

Lee Phelps

Corridor Guard (uncredited)

Amzie Strickland

Amzie Strickland

Young Woman (uncredited)

Stanley Price

Stanley Price

Sparks - Man in Diner (uncredited)

Al Hill

Al Hill

Attendant in Second Gas Station (uncredited)

Robert St. Angelo

Robert St. Angelo

Corridor Guard (uncredited)

Warren Hymer

Warren Hymer

Buggsy

Charles 'Chic' Sale

Charles 'Chic' Sale

Ethan

Lon Poff

Lon Poff

Halsey (uncredited)

E. Alyn Warren

E. Alyn Warren

Prison Chef (uncredited)

Guinn "Big Boy" Williams

Guinn "Big Boy" Williams

Rogers

Wade Boteler

Wade Boteler

Pat - Policeman with Package (uncredited)

Lillian West

Lillian West

Mother (uncredited)

Chuck Hamilton

Chuck Hamilton

Armored Car Guard Unloading Money (uncredited)

Ethan Laidlaw

Ethan Laidlaw

Tommy, a Prison Guard (uncredited)

Harry Wilson

Harry Wilson

Convict Watching Baseball Game (uncredited)

Hooper Atchley

Hooper Atchley

Teletype Operator (uncredited)

Frank Hagney

Frank Hagney

Plainclothesman (uncredited)

Earl Askam

Earl Askam

Corridor Guard (uncredited)

Raymond Brown

Raymond Brown

Engineer (uncredited)

Monte Vandergrift

Monte Vandergrift

Traffic Policeman (uncredited)

James Pierce

James Pierce

Guard (uncredited)

William Pawley

William Pawley

Mr. Williams (uncredited)

Edgar Dearing

Edgar Dearing

State Trooper Firing Machine Gun (uncredited)

Herbert Heywood

Herbert Heywood

Brakeman in Diner (uncredited)

Wally Maher

Wally Maher

Attendant in Second Gas Station (uncredited)

Oscar 'Dutch' Hendrian

Oscar 'Dutch' Hendrian

Williams' Assistant (uncredited)

Jack Cheatham

Jack Cheatham

Prison Hospital Guard (uncredited)

Allen D. Sewall

Allen D. Sewall

Chess-Playing Convict (uncredited)

Hal Craig

Hal Craig

Bank Guard (uncredited)

William Ruhl

William Ruhl

Guard (uncredited)

David Clyde

David Clyde

Fireman (uncredited)

Jack Herrick

Jack Herrick

Convict Watching Baseball Game (uncredited)

Russ Clark

Russ Clark

Officer (uncredited)

Kathrin Clare Ward

Kathrin Clare Ward

Blonde Cook in Diner (uncredited)

Jean Dixon

Jean Dixon

Bonnie Graham

Mickey Rentschler

Mickey Rentschler

Ten-Year-Old Boy (uncredited)

Henry Taylor

Henry Taylor

Kozderonas - Apple Vendor (uncredited)

Stanley Mack

Stanley Mack

Male Nurse (uncredited)

George Burton

George Burton

Convict Waiter (uncredited)

Shirley Coates

Shirley Coates

Ethel (uncredited)

Malcolm Graham

Malcolm Graham

Warden's Secretary (uncredited)

Stanley King

Stanley King

Convict (uncredited)

Al K. Hall

Al K. Hall

Man in Auto Court Office (uncredited)

Walter De Palma

Walter De Palma

Monk Mendall (uncredited)

Mary Anne Durkin

Mary Anne Durkin

Warden's 14-Year-Old Daughter (uncredited)

Take the Ultimate You Only Live Once Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of You Only Live Once with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


You Only Live Once (1937) Quiz: Test your knowledge of the 1937 drama film "You Only Live Once" with these ten varied difficulty questions.

Which actor portrayed Eddie Taylor, the ex‑convict protagonist?

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for You Only Live Once

See more

Read the complete plot summary of You Only Live Once, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


Eddie Taylor Henry Fonda is an ex-convict who believes he has reformed and deserves a fresh start. At first, the new life seems to unfold smoothly: he marries Joan Graham Sylvia Sidney, a woman who has always believed in him, and with the support of her boss, Barton MacLane, who plays Stephen Whitney, he lands a steady job and even contemplates buying a house.

But trouble arrives when he is abruptly fired after the inn booked for their wedding night recognizes his picture and ejects him. Eddie’s old gang tempts him with an offer to rejoin a life of crime, but he chooses to seek legitimate work instead. Then a bank robbery goes wrong, six people die, and Eddie is framed for the murders. He is sentenced to death by electrocution.

On the eve of his execution, he escapes from the prison infirmary with a smuggled gun, just as a stay is issued. The case grows murkier as the getaway vehicle from the bank is recovered from a lake, along with the stolen money and the body of the real killer. The prison chaplain, Father Dolan William Gargan, whom Eddie has trusted, urges him to accept the reprieve, but Eddie is too embittered to believe he is free. In a desperate act, he kills the chaplain.

He and a now-pregnant Joan go on the run, becoming infamous and blamed for crimes across the route they take. After the baby is born, Joan arranges a meeting with Stephen and her sister Bonnie, Jean Dixon; they plan for Joan to sail with the baby to Havana while Stephen works to clear her name. But Joan refuses to abandon Eddie, and they press on together. Their flight ends in tragedy when the police ambush them; Eddie and Joan are killed. In his final moment, Eddie hears the voice of the chaplain telling him that he is free.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for You Only Live Once

See more

Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from You Only Live Once. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Original Theatrical Trailer

Imprint Blu-ray Trailer

You Only Live Once Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


on the runprejudicedeath sentencemiscarriage of justiceparanoiainjusticetragedyescape from prisonprisonex convictfogprison chaplainsister sister relationshiphusband wife relationshipfugitivefrogbank robberymelodramasmoke bombnewlywed coupleblood transfusionpublic defenderapathyself inflicted woundbullet hole in a windshieldnewspaper headlinepistolinnrainarrestshot to deathattempted suicideprison visitstealing applesbaby boymetal detectorbare chested maledetective magazinecigarette machineprison doctorsentenced to die in the electric chairframed for robberygas station robberyman's hatill fated loversgovernor's pardontree swingteletypewoman dies in his armsrun for the border
Movie Wiki CTA - Movie Book

Unlock the World of Movies with Our Comprehensive Wiki

Dive into our Movie Wiki for in-depth film encyclopedia entries, including cast biographies, production trivia, plot synopses, behind-the-scenes facts, and thematic analyses. Whether you’re researching iconic directors, exploring genre histories, or discovering hidden easter eggs, our expertly curated movie database has everything you need to fuel your cinematic passion.

Movie Wiki CTA - Green Blue Wave

Similar Movies To You Only Live Once You Should Know About

Browse a curated list of movies similar in genre, tone, characters, or story structure. Discover new titles like the one you're watching, perfect for fans of related plots, vibes, or cinematic styles.


© 2025 What's After the Movie. All rights reserved.