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The big house
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September 12, 2025
Had a fun time reading the movie novelization of Frances Marion and George W. Hill's The Big House. While I had seen the 1930 MGM film some time ago, it had been a long while since I’d watched it.
Similar to my recent read of W.R. Burnett's Little Caesar, a lot of the events of this book adaptation (man that’s weird to say) felt new to me, with the exception of its iconic prison escape riot climax. I was pretty engrossed with the story that I finished the book within a day, which is pretty rare for a non bookworm like myself. I mainly just watch movies and write about them, but this book to movie and vise versa approach is right up my alley!
I was surprised at how the main focus wasn’t actually on Kent as the book initially lead me to believe during the first couple of chapters. Rather, it becomes more about Morgan and his initial escape from prison and starting a new fresh life as an ex convict who falls in love for Kent's girl, Anne. It felt very reminiscent of the life of Robert E. Burns and his escape from prison as told in his memoir, I Am a Fugitive from a Georgia Chain Gang! A book I definitely need to give a read as I love its Warner Bros. movie adaptation from 1932 starring Paul Muni.
This is the type of action packed, prison escape story I love reading and visualizing/picturing in my head as I read along. Hope a rewatch of the MGM movie is just as solid as its book novelization.
Similar to my recent read of W.R. Burnett's Little Caesar, a lot of the events of this book adaptation (man that’s weird to say) felt new to me, with the exception of its iconic prison escape riot climax. I was pretty engrossed with the story that I finished the book within a day, which is pretty rare for a non bookworm like myself. I mainly just watch movies and write about them, but this book to movie and vise versa approach is right up my alley!
I was surprised at how the main focus wasn’t actually on Kent as the book initially lead me to believe during the first couple of chapters. Rather, it becomes more about Morgan and his initial escape from prison and starting a new fresh life as an ex convict who falls in love for Kent's girl, Anne. It felt very reminiscent of the life of Robert E. Burns and his escape from prison as told in his memoir, I Am a Fugitive from a Georgia Chain Gang! A book I definitely need to give a read as I love its Warner Bros. movie adaptation from 1932 starring Paul Muni.
This is the type of action packed, prison escape story I love reading and visualizing/picturing in my head as I read along. Hope a rewatch of the MGM movie is just as solid as its book novelization.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 of 1 review