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Each Dawn I Die

Play trailer Poster for Each Dawn I Die 1939 1h 32m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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50% Tomatometer 6 Reviews 71% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Frank Ross (James Cagney) is an intrepid reporter hot on the trail of a corrupt politician when he is framed for vehicular manslaughter and sent to prison. There he meets the infamous gangster "Hood" Stacey (George Raft), and the two become fast friends when Stacey saves Ross from a deadly knife attack. When Stacey escapes from a courthouse, he promises that he will help clear Ross' name by finding the man who framed him. But can Ross really trust the word of a gangster?
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Each Dawn I Die

Critics Reviews

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Otis Ferguson The New Republic 05/07/2024
The people and the violence of their action were given as much scope a§ the story would allow; but the story is of the kind that you would have to see to disbelieve. Go to Full Review
Cyril Ray Guardian 05/27/2021
There have been better exposures of American social injustice -- Warner Brothers have made most of them --but it is good to see the two compact little toughs dealing out their punches and matching each the other's swagger. Go to Full Review
Mattie Lucas From the Front Row 05/04/2021
3.5/4
Cagney is at his best here, and his partnership with Raft makes for a strong love/hate relationship that drives the picture forward. It may not be one of Cagney's most famous roles, but it's one of his most indelible. Go to Full Review
Matt Brunson Film Frenzy 04/30/2021
3.5/4
Each Dawn I Die gets its juice from a smashing James Cagney performance as well as a scenario that's as irresistible as it is unlikely. Go to Full Review
Graham Greene The Spectator 09/11/2019
The picture goes out in a blast of bombs and bullets: odd that it leaves so little impression behind. Go to Full Review
Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 11/20/2005
C+
An implausible but enjoyable routine crime drama featuring James Cagney and George Raft. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Steve D @RT35616104 1h Strong cast makes it worth the watch. See more Henry D @Henry_Domke Jun 6 Great print, with the kind of sharp, clean restoration that makes a 1939 film feel surprisingly alive. Even though the story was contrived and melodramatic, we still cared about the characters. The script was solidly constructed, and Cagney was in peak form, giving the film its urgency and emotional force. See more acsdoug D @acsdoug Mar 5 I'm usually not a fan of prison movies, but I liked this one a lot. They spent some money on it, Stevens' direction is terrific, and you've got Raft and Cagney in it. Works for me. See more Haunted by H @RT66736554 12/17/2024 Despite a strong James Cagney performance, George Raft steals the film by playing Hood Stacey with Raft's trademark cool and sinister flair. That's what Cagney and movie-going audiences believed upon EACH DAWN I DIE's release. Because Raft stole it, Cagney (though still friendly with Raft) refused to team up with Georgie again. Too bad for us. These two guys had a great chemistry. See more ed m @RT80499164 12/04/2024 Good solid crime noir. Doesn't get better than Jimmy Cagney and George Raft. See more deke p @RT96675217 11/08/2021 1939 !! Good known cast. Crime/ Prison revolt drama ends with violent put down. Spoiler alert: how would hardened crime boss be so moral as to turn himself back into prison so he could save his honest. buddy & then break out? Ultimately suicidal. Saw good part of it again on late nite tv 11.7.21 See more Read all reviews
Each Dawn I Die

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Movie Info

Synopsis Frank Ross (James Cagney) is an intrepid reporter hot on the trail of a corrupt politician when he is framed for vehicular manslaughter and sent to prison. There he meets the infamous gangster "Hood" Stacey (George Raft), and the two become fast friends when Stacey saves Ross from a deadly knife attack. When Stacey escapes from a courthouse, he promises that he will help clear Ross' name by finding the man who framed him. But can Ross really trust the word of a gangster?
Director
William Keighley
Screenwriter
Norman Reilly Raine, Warren Duff
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
First National, Warner Brothers/Seven Arts
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 22, 1939, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 21, 2016
Runtime
1h 32m