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OPEN CLASSIC CINEMA · 1039

The Criminal Code

193196 minUnited States
DramaCrimeRomance
Video edition
Wikimedia Commons
Original language
English
This copy runs
96:24
Subtitles
No subtitle track in this language

Languages and subtitles

No subtitle track in this language

Wikimedia Commons · Howard Hawks · Public domain

Synopsis

Years of prison labor have nearly broken Robert Graham when the new warden gives him work inside his household. The change brings hope and a relationship with the warden's daughter. After a killing, Graham knows who is responsible but faces a choice between the promise of parole and the prisoners' code against informing.

Cast

DirectorsHoward Hawks

Behind the scenes

Howard Hawks directed the adaptation of Martin Flavin's stage play. Boris Karloff returned to the role of Galloway, which he had performed on stage, shortly before his screen career changed through Frankenstein.

Sources and availability

General references identify the work and its copy. A reference beside an editorial section is linked to the claims checked in that section.

Wikipedia — film referenceWikidata — film identity and credits

Work catalogued as public domain in the United States.

The public-domain references concern the original films in the United States. Rights can differ for other countries, editions, restorations, music or translations. Sources are listed on each film page.

Availability checked on September 15, 2026.

Photograph credit

Photographs cropped, resized and optimized as WebP, displayed in monochrome.

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