Hunted Men (1938)

Hunted Men Poster

Notorious racketeer Joe Albany kills James Flowers when he discovers he is embezzling from the club they own. Joe escapes through a window and hails a taxi, but when he gets nervous at the sound of sirens, he jumps out. Hardware salesman Peter Harris accidentally hits Joe with his car, and unharmed, Joe seizes this opportunity to hide in Peter's car. Peter is so drunk that Joe is able to con him into believing that he is Charles Edwards, a fellow hardware man who was with him at a convention, and in the guise of friendship, accompanies Peter to his suburban home. The next morning, Joe gets antsy and wants to leave, but Peter's family, his wife Mary, young son Robert and daughter Jane all entreat him to stay.

Overview
"Hunted Men" is an American movie that was released in 1938. It was directed by Louis King, understood for his proficiency in producing awesome police procedural in the Hollywood Golden Age. The screenplay, composed by Robert Yost and W.R. Burnett, tells a suspenseful story about commitment, betrayal, and an unrelenting pursuit of justice. The movie stars Lloyd Nolan, Mary Carlisle, and J. Carrol Naish in central functions.

Plot Summary
The movie's story centers on Joe Albany (Lloyd Nolan), a relied on cashier for a syndicate run by Nick Shelton (J. Carrol Naish). Joe leads a double life, living as a dedicated family man while continuing his profession as a gangster. His girlfriend Ann (Mary Carlisle) stays oblivious about his life of crime, believing him to be an honest man. The plot thickens when Joe is forced to take the blame for a bank robbery he did not commit to show his commitment to the distribute.

Conflict & Resolution
The primary dispute emerges when Joe chooses he's had enough of his criminal way of life and plans to leave the syndicate. Nick, picking up Joe's objectives, frames Joe for a murder, making him a hunted guy. Joe gets away from the police and returns to the city with a mission - to clear his name and settle things with Nick. The stakes increase as Joe's more youthful bro, Tommy (Dick Purcell), ends up unsuspectingly getting tangled in the fight in between Joe and Nick.

The climax shows up when Nick snatches Ann in an attempt to tempt Joe. Nevertheless, Joe takes the danger, continues with his plan, and prospers in rescuing Ann. In an intense final showdown, Joe challenges Nick. The sequence ends with Joe victoriously turning Nick and his entire gang to the police and sending proof of his innocence.

Characterization & Performance
Lloyd Nolan provides an enforcing performance as Joe Albany, embodying the character's battle, emotional chaos, drive for freedom, and supreme accomplishment. Mary Carlisle, playing Ann, balances her love interest role with a layer of fear and unawareness about Joe's dual life, making her character more relatable. J. Carrol Naish masters the function of the villain, Nick Shelton, radiating the shrewd and manipulative characteristics of a criminal activity distribute leader.

Style and Themes
"Hunted Men" is a classic police procedural that effectively catches the essence of the genre - the dystopian underworld, the detailed web of deceit, and the dogged pursuit of justice. The unfolding story is filled with suspense, making it a gutsy and exhilarating ride for viewers. The film effectively checks out styles such as betrayal, loyalty, love, sacrifice, and redemption through its engaging story and interesting efficiencies.

Conclusion
In conclusion, "Hunted Men" is a gripping police procedural that stands apart for its hectic and fascinating story. The strong performances of the cast, the tense and suspenseful plot, in addition to the compelling exploration of its main styles, make it a considerable entry into the police procedural genre of the 1930s. If you are a fan of classic police procedural, "Hunted Men" is a movie that deserves the trip.

Top Cast

  • Lloyd Nolan (small)
    Lloyd Nolan
    Joe Albany
  • Mary Carlisle (small)
    Mary Carlisle
    Jane Harris
  • Lynne Overman (small)
    Lynne Overman
    Peter Harris
  • J. Carrol Naish (small)
    J. Carrol Naish
    Henry Rice
  • Anthony Quinn (small)
    Anthony Quinn
    Legs
  • Dorothy Peterson (small)
    Dorothy Peterson
    Mary Harris
  • Delmar Watson (small)
    Delmar Watson
    Robert Harris aka Butch
  • Buster Crabbe (small)
    Buster Crabbe
    James Flowers
  • Johnny Downs (small)
    Johnny Downs
    Frank Martin
  • George Davis (small)
    George Davis
    Waiter (uncredited)