I Am a Fugitive From a Chain Gang Quiz

Answer: Paul Muni

Muni was born in what is now the Ukraine, as Meshilem Meier Weisenfreund. "I Am a Fugitive From a Chain Gang" was Muni's fourth movie appearance. He appeared in twenty-eight movies in his career, receiving six Academy Award nominations for Best Actor, including one from this movie as well as one for his first movie: 1929's "The Valiant".

He won the Best Actor Oscar in 1936 for "The Story of Louis Pasteur".

Answer: Armed robbery

The character, James Allen, decided to travel around the country for a while after World War I, instead of returning to his job. Times were hard and he did not fare so well. He met a man in a flophouse who knew of a diner where they could cadge a meal and asked him what he would say to a hamburger. Allen replied: "I'd take Mr. Hamburger by the hand and say 'Pal, I haven't seen you for a long, long time.'" Once at the diner his buddy unexpectedly pulled a gun on the owner and had Allen clean out the cash register.

His buddy was shot by police in the diner's doorway. Allen was arrested, even though he was an innocent bystander. He must have had my last lawyer. I asked him about his best case and he said: "I think it was Budweiser."

Answer: It was never stated

The actual setting of the prison was never stated in the film. The only reference was to a Southern state. This movie is based on a true story by Robert Elliott Burns titled "I Am a Fugitive From a Georgia Chain Gang". Burns actually escaped from a chain gang in Georgia and, although he was still on the run, was hired as an adviser to this film.

A member of the Georgia State Prison Commission tried to sue Warner Brothers Studio for libel after the picture was released. Warner Brothers prevailed as they had been careful not to reference Georgia anywhere in the movie.

Answer: "For looking at a hamburger"

The prisoners on the chain gang were regularly beaten, starved and sleep-deprived. In one scene Allen was knocked down by a punch from a guard for wiping the sweat off his brow without first asking permission. Much of the guards' cruelty came directly from Burns' book.

This film started to open America's eyes to the unjust legal system in some states. Reforms started. Burns, imprisoned in New Jersey shortly after the film was released, was given a reprieve.

Answer: Allen James

When asked his name upon being hired he stated: "Allen." "First or last name?" asked the man at the employment booth. Allen thought a while, then answered: "First." He then gave his name as Allen James in an effort to hide his true identity. He started as a laborer building a bridge.

After making an efficiency suggestion he was promoted to supervisor. He later became a surveyor with the company and, after studying engineering, an engineer. As an engineer in and around Chicago he built quite a reputation for himself building roads and bridges. The difference between prison and work is, in prison you get time off for good behavior.

At work you get more work for good behavior.

Answer: His wife

One day his landlady discovered his true identity as she snooped through his mail. She used the information to blackmail him into marrying her. She turned out to be a drinker and party girl. She used his money to go out with other men. When he asked for a divorce she turned him in to the authorities.
Perfect country song title: "If I'd Killed You When We First Met, I'da Been Out of Jail By Now."

Answer: He met another woman.

After discovering his wife was having multiple affairs, Allen went out on the town. He met Helen, played by Helen Vinson. She was the love he needed.
Burns' story was slightly different. After escaping from prison he did meet and marry a woman. While married he met and fell in love with a taxi dancer. (A taxi dancer was a woman whose job it was to dance with men in clubs; not a girl who danced on taxicabs as I originally surmised.) When his wife found out he was having an affair, she turned Burns in.

Answer: 90 days

When Illinios refused to extradite him, he was promised that he would only have to serve 90 days and he would be given a clerical job at the prison rather than return to hard labor. After 90 days he would be released. That all turned out to be a lie. He was put back on the chain gang.
At my last trial the judge told me I'd have 90 days or $90. I told him I'd take the $90.

Answer: His buddy was killed in the attempt.

Instead of being sentenced to 90 days, he was told he would instead be released after one year if he was a model prisoner. At the end of the year that deal was taken away, too. Allen could not take it anymore and, with his buddy Bomber (played by Edward Ellis), escaped a second time. Bomber was killed in the attempt.
Did you hear about the clairvoyant little person who escaped from the State Penitentiary? The news said there was a small medium at large.

Answer: Turned to a life of crime

After all the unjustified hardship that had befallen him since returning from the war, Allen's spirit was broken. In a gripping scene at the end of the movie Allen met his sweetheart, Helen, on a dark street. "How do you live?" she asked him. "I steal," he replied.
"I Am a Fugitive From a Chain Gang" won the Best Film award in 1932 from the National Board of Review.