this film should have be more interesting with the potential of such a cast . the script try to be important . indeed and we again get a le miserables theme story of a parolee try to go straight but find all of the rule and society prejudice force him back to crime . but lloyd bacon sluggish direction hold everything back and it be never interesting storytelling . how can a film with george raft and humphrey bogart and william holden not be compel . thank you and mr. bacon and for demonstrate . raft try hard to be the nice guy but the script give the character no depth . he could be any ex con come home after a stint in sing sing . he seem handcuff throughout . he do believably make a ( much ) old brother for holden the voice and the nose but he surely can not pass for 27. holden be so young and enthusiastic and all his acting mechanic be hang out there for everyone to see . as few a his scene be and bogart be a steady if smarmy hand to get the action start . flora robson and a the mother of raft and holden and be the most sympathetic character . the actress have a tremendous soul to give weight to what could be a thankless part . only through her do any real feeling come into this melodrama . and though nearly seven year young than raft and just a little age makeup make her look a if she could at least be his aunt . it be interest that the film never show the con in actual prison stripe . the only two scene of raft and bogart in prison be in the shower ( thank you ) and in the warden office before leave . i do like to show this film to friend after they have see john ford mary of scotland just so they can be amaze at moroni olsen range .