| Over the Wall | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Frank McDonald |
| Screenplay by | Crane Wilbur George Bricker |
| Story by | Lewis E. Lawes |
| Produced by | Bryan Foy |
| Starring | Dick Foran June Travis John Litel Dick Purcell Veda Ann Borg George E. Stone |
| Cinematography | James Van Trees |
| Edited by | Frank Magee |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
Release date |
|
Running time | 67 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Over the Wall is a 1938 American drama film directed by Frank McDonald and written by Crane Wilbur and George Bricker, based on a story by Lewis E. Lawes. The film stars Dick Foran, June Travis, John Litel, Dick Purcell, Veda Ann Borg and George E. Stone. The film was released by Warner Bros. on April 2, 1938.[1][2][3]
Plot
Jerry Davis is an outlaw and troublemaker, one day he gets arrested for murder and sent to Sing Sing, there he discovers that he has a great singing voice and begins to rehabilitate himself.
Cast
- Dick Foran as Jerry Davis
- June Travis as Kay Norton
- John Litel as Father Neil Connor
- Dick Purcell as Ace Scanlon
- Veda Ann Borg as Maxine
- George E. Stone as Gyp
- Ward Bond as Eddie Edwards
- John Hamilton as Warden
- Jonathan Hale as Governor
- Tommy Bupp as Jimmy Davis
- Robert Homans as John Davis
- Mabel Hart as Mrs. Davis
- Raymond Hatton as Convict
- Alan Davis as Joe
- Eddy Chandler as Prison Keeper
Production
Lawes wrote the story based on the life of Sing Sing inmate Alabama Pitts, who became a professional athlete following his stint as a well-known athlete in the prison. It was picked up by Warner Brothers by August 1935 under the title The Comeback.[4] In November 1935, James Cagney was hired to portray Pitts' character in the film with Lloyd Bacon directing.[5] However, due to Cagney's lawsuit against Warner Brothers for breach of contract, the studio replaced him. In April 1936, Dick Purcell was being considered for the role.[6][7] Harry Sauber, Ben Markson, Tom Reed, and Jonathan Finn were initially working as screenplay writers as of June 1936.[8] In July 1936, Ross Alexander was hired to replace Cagney as Pitts' character,[9] but the role eventually went to Dick Foran. The film was titled Evidence during production, but was changed to Over the Wall in December 1937 before the film's release.[10]
References
- ↑ "Over the Wall (1938) - Overview". TCM.com. Retrieved 2015-08-30.
- ↑ Sandra Brennan (2014). "Over-the-Wall - Trailer - Cast - Showtimes". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Baseline & All Movie Guide. Archived from the original on 2014-08-11. Retrieved 2015-08-30.
- ↑ "Over the Wall". Afi.com. Retrieved 2015-08-30.
- ↑ "Alabama Pitts' Life Story to be Filmed Soon". The Berkshire Eagle. August 1, 1935. Retrieved April 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Parsons, Louella O. (November 21, 1935). "Warner Brothers to Start Warden Lawes' "Over the Wall" Within Five Weeks". Reading Times. Retrieved April 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Soanes, Wood (December 10, 1935). "Curtain Calls". Oakland Tribune. Retrieved April 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Soanes, Wood (April 28, 1936). "Curtain Calls". Oakland Tribune. Retrieved April 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Bacon to Direct Lawes Tale". Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph. June 24, 1936. Retrieved April 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Parsons, Louella O. (July 7, 1936). ""The Last of Mrs. Cheyney" To Be Filmed With Myrna Loy". The Dayton Herald. Retrieved April 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Screen News". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. December 21, 1937. Retrieved April 4, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
External links