I Can't Believe You Haven't Seen I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang

Part 3 of the Films of the 1930s series concludes with director Mervyn LeRoy's 1932 film I am a fugitive from a Chain Gang!

I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang is a 1932 film by Mervyn Leroy that brings to light the evil and wickedness of the Chain Gang system in Georgia. What was gripping about this film is that it still stands today as a compelling story, one that makes you look at the social constructs of the US and think about the atrocities that were so prevalent in governmental adherence.

These chain gang prison camps are depicted in what seems to be an accurate way, which is terrifying because although this film was made about 8 years before World War II, they are extremely reminiscent of the concentration camps during the Holocaust. So if there was a time in our country that a state government treated criminals with the same viciousness as Adolph Hitler, what are the atrocities that we are overlooking today?

James Allen is a tragic character as we are meant to sympathize with him throughout the film. Paul Muni’s performance is extremely nuanced and actually stands the test of time in that it is not as campy or over exaggerated. He lets the emotion be portrayed in his eyes and body language, and doesn’t wear his sentiments on his sleeve as much as other Depression era actors, but still conveys passion and depth. 

It is interesting that this film came out at a time when this was still a major issue. The chain gang system was still in use for “rehabilitation” purposes and the Georgia criminal justice commission was known for the corrupt, iron-fist way in which it operated. Often times movies that are making a social statement come out years after the social construct is relevant.

Paul Muni is 'James Allen' and 'Allen James'

This keeps confrontation and resistance to the film at a minimum and therefore maximizes the profits. This was a brave film in that although it didn’t directly mention Georgia, it was heavily referenced and portrayed the state as corrupt and Chicago as the beacon of virtuous freedom. That would be like a major film coming out today that explores the racial profiling that goes on in police departments of certain states and cities.

Of course with social commentary comes bias, and there is some in this movie, but for the most part the film I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang is an honest film about survival and the perseverance of the human spirit. It is a depression era epic that is reminiscent of a Holes and Les Miserables mash-up. The boldness of this film is one that filmmakers should adopt in modern storytelling, and Paul Muni brings a character to life that despite his tribulations, continually works towards his dreams of something more, a characteristic that as an audience we can admire.