Hell's House

era, is based on a story by Higgin.

ynopsis

.

When Jimmy realizes his new pal is seriously ill and desperately needs medical attention, he escapes and goes to Kelly and Kelly's girl friend, Peggy Gardner, for help. Peggy contacts newspaper columnist Frank Gebhardt, who is anxious to expose the conditions at the state industrial school. The authorities find Jimmy at Gebhardt's office, but before they can apprehend him Kelly admits his involvement in the bootlegging operation and the boy is set free. He discovers Shorty has died, victimized by a corrupt system.

Principal cast

*Bette Davis ..... Peggy Gardner
*Pat O'Brien ..... Matt Kelly
*Junior Durkin ..... Jimmy Mason
*Frank Coghlan Jr. ..... Shorty
*Emma Dunn ..... Emma Clark
*Charley Grapewin ..... Henry Clark
*Morgan Wallace ..... Frank Gebhardt

Principal production credits

*Producer ..... B.F. Zeidman
*Cinematography ..... Alan G. Siegler
*Art Direction ..... Edward Jewell

Critical reception

In his review in the "New York Times", Mordaunt Hall observed, "The attempt to pillory reform schools . . . is hardly adult in its attack, but it has a few moderately interesting interludes . . . The direction of this film is old-fashioned. Pat O'Brien . . . gives a forced performance. Young Durkin's playing is sincere and likewise that of Bette Davis as Peggy." [ [http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9504EFD7113EE333A25751C1A9649C946394D6CF "New York Times" review] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0022991/ "Hell's House" at the Internet Movie Database]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26kSh9L-lHE Film clip on YouTube]