Some may call this Dated but Astute Viewers will No Doubt Notice that it is a Timeless Message about America's Community Spirit and the Little Guy taking on Oppression During the Depression.
Here the Oppression comes in the form of a "Plain" Family Witnessing a Murder by the Mob and the Subsequent Intimidation and Terrorizing to Keep Them from Appearing in Court.
A pretty Good Cast is Tasked with Believable Reluctance, especially after Their Youngest is Kidnapped and Held for "Ransom". Walter Huston as the D.A., Chic Young as an Aging Vet, and Dickie Moore as the Kidnapped are all Standouts as this sometimes Brutal Story Unfolds and Traps the Audience in Their Unenviable Situation.
There is a lot of Speechifying about a Citizen's "Duty" and so forth, coming from Law Enforcement and the Civil War Veteran. The Pre-Code Highlights are Violence Against Children, Prohibition Drinking, and a Savage Beating to One of the Witnesses that can Still Disturb Today.
Overall, it is a Slice of Early Thirties Americana and might Seem Corny to some Modern Cynics, but it has a Cutting Edge Sensibility and its Message is Pure. Above Average and the Story (nominated for an Oscar) is One for the Ages
Here the Oppression comes in the form of a "Plain" Family Witnessing a Murder by the Mob and the Subsequent Intimidation and Terrorizing to Keep Them from Appearing in Court.
A pretty Good Cast is Tasked with Believable Reluctance, especially after Their Youngest is Kidnapped and Held for "Ransom". Walter Huston as the D.A., Chic Young as an Aging Vet, and Dickie Moore as the Kidnapped are all Standouts as this sometimes Brutal Story Unfolds and Traps the Audience in Their Unenviable Situation.
There is a lot of Speechifying about a Citizen's "Duty" and so forth, coming from Law Enforcement and the Civil War Veteran. The Pre-Code Highlights are Violence Against Children, Prohibition Drinking, and a Savage Beating to One of the Witnesses that can Still Disturb Today.
Overall, it is a Slice of Early Thirties Americana and might Seem Corny to some Modern Cynics, but it has a Cutting Edge Sensibility and its Message is Pure. Above Average and the Story (nominated for an Oscar) is One for the Ages