Laughter in Hell


1h 10m 1933

Film Details

Genre
Crime
Release Date
Jan 12, 1933
Premiere Information
not available
Production Company
Universal Pictures Corp.
Distribution Company
Universal Pictures Corp.
Country
United States
Screenplay Information
Based on the novel Laughter in Hell by Jim Tully (New York, 1932).

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 10m
Sound
Mono
Color
Black and White
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
1.37 : 1
Film Length
7 reels

Synopsis

Barney Slaney, an Irish mine worker in Tennessee, is trained by his father Mike to become an engineer in accordance with his deceased mother's wishes. As an adult, Barney works as a fireman for engineer Mileaway on the local train. Barney marries Marybelle Evans, but one day returns to find her making love with Grover Perkins, with whom Barney has feuded since he was a child. Barney is enraged and kills them, and after giving himself up, is sentenced to life imprisonment. To his horror, Barney discovers that Grover's brutal brother Ed is the foreman of the chain gang he works on, and Ed particularly picks on Barney. When an epidemic visits a local town, the prisoners are set to work digging graves, and Barney pulls Ed into a grave and knocks him out. A riot follows, during which Barney and other prisoners escape. Barney evades the manhunt, and seeks refuge at a farm recently visited by the pestilence. He befriends Lorraine, whose parents have just died, and after burning the house, they run away. After some complications, Barney and Lorraine cross the state line into a new life together.

Film Details

Genre
Crime
Release Date
Jan 12, 1933
Premiere Information
not available
Production Company
Universal Pictures Corp.
Distribution Company
Universal Pictures Corp.
Country
United States
Screenplay Information
Based on the novel Laughter in Hell by Jim Tully (New York, 1932).

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 10m
Sound
Mono
Color
Black and White
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
1.37 : 1
Film Length
7 reels

Quotes

Trivia

Notes

According to a news item in Hollywood Reporter, filming was temporarily interrupted by a fire at the Universal City studios back lot.