Up the River (1930)

Up the River Poster

Daily life at men and women's prison units where baseball and the marching band are serious business. Two prisoners escape in order to help paroled Steve from being blackmailed by his girlfriend's ex-partner-in-crime.

Film Introduction
"Up the River" is a comedy-drama film released in 1930, directed by the popular John Ford. The film's screenplay was penned by Maurine Dallas Watkins, based upon a story by William Collier Sr and George S. Kaufman. The movie starred early Hollywood icons Spencer Tracy and Humphrey Bogart and marks their launching in a full-length function movie. Additionally, it's notable to establish that this motion picture was an innovative audial endeavor released during the age when talkies were slowly replacing quiet cinema.

Plot Synopsis
The narrative revolves around 2 convicts, specifically Saint Louis and Dannemora Dan, played by Tracy and Warren Hymer, respectively, serving time in the Sing Prison in New York. Both bad guys share an unified rapport, regardless of the difference in their offenses - Saint Louis is a sly card sharp while Dannemora Dan is an arrested but pleasant gem burglar.

All of a sudden, enjoy blooms within the prison walls when Saint Louis succumbs to Judy Fields, portrayed by Claire Luce, a prisoner from a nearby females's reformatory, whereas Dannemora Dan nurtures feelings for another female detainee, Frosine. Simply when the relationships begin to blossom, the male lead characters are launched, however vow to wait for their beloved.

Post Prison Release Struggles
The plot thickens as Judy is launched right after but unfortunately, falls prey to a computing previous partner and ex-lover, Steve, played by Humphrey Bogart, who wrongly implicates her in another theft. Meanwhile, Dannemora Dan, too, falls into similar serious concerns with the deceitful Garvey, a diamond fence in disguise of endorsing legal businesses.

Resolution
In a pursuit to save their lovers, Saint Louis and Dannemora Dan face their former lives and leverage their wits and skills to lower the villains and clear their buddies' names. They ingeniously help their authorities buddies to detain Steve and Garvey, and thus, the girls are freed from impending re-arrest.

Through their heroism, realizing the gravitas of love, commitment, and relationship, the prison warden and even the local authorities consent to turn a blind eye to their past. This heartening twist paves the path to a happily-ever-after ending for both couples.

Movie Reception
Up the River was distinctively light-hearted for a movie set in a high-security prison, and it was a departure from the controling crime and penalty representation of convicts in the movie theater of this period. It stimulated a positive audience response, with the performances of Tracy and Bogart making especially great notices.

Conclusion
In conclusion, Up the River has actually been appreciated for its specialist mix of comedy, drama, and love versus the unusual backdrop of a jail. It narrated the touching tale of two prisoners going to fantastic lengths to safeguard their liked ones from injustice and at the same time, it challenges stereotypes about convicts and throws light on the jail reform system. The movie is also remembered for pioneering futures Hollywood icons Spencer Tracy and Humphrey Bogart.

Top Cast

  • Spencer Tracy (small)
    Spencer Tracy
    Saint Louis
  • Claire Luce (small)
    Claire Luce
    Judy Fields
  • Warren Hymer (small)
    Warren Hymer
    Dannemora Dan
  • Humphrey Bogart (small)
    Humphrey Bogart
    Steve Jordan
  • William Collier Sr. (small)
    William Collier Sr.
    Pop
  • Joan Marie Lawes
    Jean
  • Marion Aye
    Actress (uncredited)
  • Ward Bond (small)
    Ward Bond
    Inmate Socked by Saint Louis (uncredited)
  • Joe Brown
    Deputy Warden (uncredited)
  • Bob Burns (small)
    Bob Burns
    Slim - Bazooka Player (uncredited)
  • Eddy Chandler (small)
    Eddy Chandler
    Guard (uncredited)