20,000 Years in Sing Sing (1932).

20,000 Years in Sing Sing (1932). Drama set in Sing Sing Penitentary, a maximum security prison in New York State. Directed by Michael Curtiz. Cast: Spencer Tracy and Bette Davis. This movie was based on the non-fiction book, Twenty Thousand Years in Sing Sing, which was written by Lewis E. Lawes, the warden of Sing Sing from 1920 to 1941. Writer Lewis E. Lawes was still warden of Sing Sing prison during filming and allowed the crew to film inside and outside the prison.

Tough guy Tommy Connors, is sent to Sing Sing, but is confident that his lawyer Joe Finn,will get him out on parole. But, it quickly becomes clear, that he will be treated just ant other in- mate. Connors and Long engage in a long battle of wills. Long, begins to see a change in Connors, when does not participate in a escape attempt.

Soon after, Long trusts Connors outside the prison walls. Connors' girl friend, Fay Wilson, makes friends with Finn, but when he attacks her in the car, she jumps and is badly injured. Long allows Connors to visit Fay, but when he finds out that Finn is responsible for her injuries, they get into a fight. Fay shoots and kills Finn, but it is Connors, who is convicted for the murder and is sentenced to death. Fay tries to confess her crime but.. will she be able to save Connor in time?



At first.. I did not think that I had seen this film, but after a few minutes I realized that I had seen it many years before. This film is wonderfully acted prison melodrama. Teaming Spencer Tracy and Bette Davis once again. This film is very sentimental, funny, romantic and tragic. Tracy, is perfect as always in the role of a tuff guy con whose girl Davis gets hurt while he's in jail and he tries to escape. Tracy's conflict with the prison warden are some of the funnier moments in the film. If you are a fan of Spencer Tracy and Bette Davis, this is a must see film.