The Big House (1930)

 

A bit uneven, but this was actually a pretty darned good movie. It focuses on three cell mates serving time in a prison of 3000 inmates. One is the thick-skulled brute, one is the charming thief, and one is the new guy in for vehicular manslaughter. They are played by Wallace Beery, Chester Morris, and Robert Montgomery, respectively, whom all had very successful careers before and after this film, though this film does come at different points in their careers. All three were Oscar-nominated at one point or another, including Beery for this film.

Surprisingly nuanced for just an 87-minute film, it's one I'm surprised wasn't based on a novel. One that could definitely be updated and remade.

24 to go...