IMDb on iPhone and iPod touch Learn more Learn more Download from the App Store
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 reviewsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot 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 »


Overview

User Rating:
7.7/10   1,677 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 3% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Charles Schnee (screenplay)
Nicholas Ray (adaptation)
more
Contact:
View company contact information for They Live by Night on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
June 1948 (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
NewsDesk:
(2 articles)
This week's film event previews
 (From The Guardian - Film News. 27 November 2009, 4:11 PM, PST)

Schizo Miracles
 (From IFC. 3 November 2009, 5:59 AM, PST)

User Reviews:
Actually quite good more (31 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Cathy O'Donnell ... Keechie
Farley Granger ... Bowie
Howard Da Silva ... Chickamaw
Jay C. Flippen ... T-Dub
Helen Craig ... Mattie

Will Wright ... Mobley
William Phipps ... Young Farmer
Ian Wolfe ... Hawkins
Harry Harvey ... Hagenheimer
Marie Bryant ... Singer
Will Lee ... Jeweler
James Nolan ... Schreiber (as Jim Nolan)
Charles Meredith ... Comm. Hubbell
Teddy Infuhr ... Alvin
Byron Foulger ... Lambert
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:
Language:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (RCA Sound System)
Certification:
France:U | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | UK:A (original rating) | USA:Approved (certificate #12567)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The film lost USD$445,000 in its initial release in the USA. more
Goofs:
Continuity: Chicamaw's right eye is okay in a brief scene toward the end. Otherwise, the eye is opaque. more
Quotes:
Chicamaw 'One-Eye' Mobley: I'll take steps a block long. Anyone gets in my way, I'll stomp 'em! more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
Your Red Wagon more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
26 out of 27 people found the following review 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 review useful to you?
more (31 total)

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
Looks like Gloria Grahame mimimo62
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 Touch of Evil The Night of the Hunter The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford Deadly Is the Female
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
News articles 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.