Home
search
more | tips
IMDb > They Live by Night (1948)
They Live by Night
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

They Live by Night (1948) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 5 | slideshow)

Overview

User Rating:
7.7/10   1,524 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 2% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Nicholas Ray
Writers:
Edward Anderson (novel)
Nicholas Ray (adaptation)
more
Contact:
View company contact information for They Live by Night on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
26 October 1949 (USA) more
Tagline:
Cops or no cops I'm going through!
Plot:
An escaped convict is injured and is helped by a woman with whom he has an ill-fated relationship. full summary | full synopsis
User Comments:
Actually quite good more

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)
Cathy O'Donnell ... Catherine 'Keechie' Mobley
Farley Granger ... Arthur 'Bowie' Bowers
Howard Da Silva ... Chicamaw 'One-Eye' Mobley
Jay C. Flippen ... Henry 'T-Dub' Mansfield
Helen Craig ... Mattie Mansfield

Will Wright ... Mobley
Marie Bryant ... Nightclub Singer
Ian Wolfe ... Hawkins
William Phipps ... Young Farmer
Harry Harvey ... Hagenheimer
Will Lee ... Jeweler
James Nolan ... Schreiber (as Jim Nolan)
Teddy Infuhr ... Alvin Lambert
Byron Foulger ... Lambert
Guy Beach ... Plumber (as Guy L. Beach)
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
The Twisted Road (UK)
Your Red Wagon (USA) (working title)
more
Runtime:
95 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (RCA Sound System)
Certification:
Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | UK:A (original rating) | USA:Approved

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The movie has a very unusual prologue before the opening credits showing a very romantic Granger and O'Donnell with subtitles. more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: The breeze on the bushes makes it obvious that a helicopter is shooting the opening scene. more
Quotes:
Mr. Hawkins, Wedding Chapel Proprietor: [Bowie has just asked Hawkins to arrange a passage to Mexico for Keechie and himself] Son, I'd sure like that money. I'm old, and money's a real comfort to an old man. I believe in helping people get what they want as long as they pay for it. I marry people 'cos there's a little hope they'll be happy. But I can't take this money of yours. No sir. In a way I'm a thief just the same as you are, but I won't sell you hope when there ain't any. more
Movie Connections:
Featured in Edge of Outside (2006) more
Soundtrack:
Your Red Wagon more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
24 out of 25 people found the following comment useful:-
Actually quite good, 15 June 1999
Author: Patsy-9 from Calgary, AB

An early, nearly-forgotten picture from the director of "Rebel Without a Cause", this story of fugitive love (though not in the same was as "Bonnie and Clyde" or "Gun Crazy") is in its own right a rather accomplished picture.

Farley Granger is best remembered for his Hitchcock roles, and he gives a good, multifaceted performance. It's clear from the get-go that despite the company he keeps and despite his time in prison, he's really a scared, uncertain kid. Cathy O'Donnell is all but forgotten, but here gives a nearly Oscar-calibre performance, extremely convincing and appealing as his naive bride.

The film is also notable for early use of helicopter shots of cars, and for its refusal to vilify either the criminals or the cops (one of the policemen admits that "the system failed him", an astonishing statement for 1949).

All in all, a film which deserves to be resurrected from its obscurity.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for They Live by Night (1948)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Great Nicholas Ray film noir freakyfelix
Will Lee The-Gift-of-Gag
DVD release (R-1) July 31, 2007 famalberts
What is background music? thirsch-2
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Miracle of Morgan's Creek The Night of the Hunter The Desperate Hours O Brother, Where Art Thou? Bandits
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
IMDb Crime section IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.