christopher c. m
Even the movie itself knows how insane STUPID this plan is. Federal prison for bank robbery isn't club fed. He might not even live to see freedom again, because prison is dangerous. Plus, an insurance investigator is following Ruth to find the missing money. This dumb plan was doomed to fail and feels more like one of those really bad educational shorts from "Young American Films" they made back then over a real movie. There is nothing but incredibly stupid and boring. The wrong road? More like the wrong film to stream.
Rated 0.5/5 Stars •
Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars
03/31/23
Full Review
Audience Member
RT's review or synopsis of this is so WRONG. The woman did not work as a bank teller, the MAN did. And they didn't "unfortunately get caught", they turned themselves in knowing that in a few years they would benefit from the 100,000 dollars they mailed off to a third party.
Naive couple are from wealthy families but not reaching the high society they thought they were "entitled". The lead character is an engineer who was so disappointed as being a 3 year bank teller. But he concocts the idea that he and his girlfried are due a "independent" status in society, one free from economic want. So, he thinks its better to rob the bank and surrender, and then she could wait for him as he serves a few years in prison.
Holy smokes, what a stupid, stupid plot. How naive do these writers think moviegoers are? Who does this sort of thing in the REAL world?
At any rate, if we ignore that huge flaw in the plot, this turns out to be rather entertaining if only to two real young, in love naive young adults get in a whole lot of trouble.
Too bad it gets mired in detail about everyone trying to get the loot. Half way through the film all everyone is trying to do is get the money, the kids, the bank, the insurer, the police... its a real bummer to watch the hassle that emits from this bogus tale of get rich quick characters.
What does the title mean, M. Rick? :
This one is easy. These two characters, naive and stupid young lovers, think they can hide 100,000 dollars (in 1937) after their term in prison. Money is misery, and this tale proves it.
Find this film any way you can, but for starters:
http://www.archive.org/details/wrong_road
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Cast
Richard Cromwell as Jimmy Caldwell
Helen Mack as Ruth Holden
Lionel Atwill as Mike Roberts
Horace McMahon as Blackie Clayton
Russ Powell as Chief Ira Foster
Billy Bevan as McLean
Marjorie Main as Martha Foster
Rex Evans as Victor J. Holbrook
Joseph Crehan as District Attorney
Arthur Hoyt as Beamish, bank teller
Syd Saylor as Big Hobo
Selmer Jackson as Judge
Chester Clute as Dan O'Fearnasee
Directed by James Cruze
Produced by Colbert Clark
Written by Gordon Rigby (screenplay and story)
Eric Taylor (writer)
Cinematography Ernest Miller
Editing by William Morgan
Distributed by Amblin Entertainment
Fox Searchlight Pictures
Release date(s) 11 October 1937
Running time 62 minutes
53 minutes (American edited version)
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Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
01/19/23
Full Review
Audience Member
I was really excited about the fact this movie came from my newly obtained Mill Creek Mystery Classics 100 Movie Pack, A real good deal at Amazon. This is a 1937 film about a couple who work at a bank that they rob, planning on hiding the money only to recover it upon there release. 2 years past, they are released and then there trouble begins, This one can be seen on the net at places for free. Its worth 3 stars,
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
01/23/23
Full Review
Audience Member
The Wrong Road
Starring: Richard Cromwell, Helen Mack, Lionel Atwill, and Horace MacMohan
Director: James Cruze
Jimmy and Ruth, a young, down-on-their-luck couple (Cromwell and Mack) steal $100,000 from Jimmy's employer that they intend to live off it once they get out of prison. A private detective charged with recovering the loot (Atwill) believes they are just a pair of desperate kids deserving of a second chance, and he arranges their early parole. As he encourages them to give back the money, a coldhearted, murderous criminal (MacMohan) is stalking them in the hopes of getting the loot for himself.
"The Wrong Road" is so heavy-handed in delivering its "crime doesn't pay" and "it's never to late to reform and become a law-abiding citizen again" messages that it borders on the goofy educational films that were so popular in the 1950s and 1960s (and even into the 1970s, because I remember watching a few...). However, a cast far classier and talented than is usually found in that sort of films, and a fast-moving story that actually has some tension to it makes it better than the educational shorts and film-strips it resembles.
The best part of the film is Atwill's character. Private detective Mike Roberts is almost a proto-Colombo, with his ability to pop up in Jimmy and Ruth's path at just the right (or wrong, depending on your point of view) moment, and his technique of annoying the criminals into coming clean.
This isn't a movie I recommend anyone search out, but if you should see it listed in a multi-film package, don't let its presence discourage you from considering getting it if there's another film you're interested in. "The Wrong Road" may not be terribly good, but it's short and it's watchable.
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
01/18/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Solid and nifty little "B" movie crime drama. The cast is terrific, it shows what you can do with a low budget. Great moral, interesting plot, short and sweet.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
01/30/23
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