Frank S. Nugent of "The New York Times" called the film "a brilliant sociological drama and a trenchant film editorial against intolerance and hatred." Writing for "Night and Day" in 1937, Graham Greene gave the film a good review, comparing its effect to that of Fritz Lang's "Fury". Greene found that "the direction of the picture is brilliant", and praised the writing for having "a better, less compromising story", however he confessed that he "doubtthat "They Won't Forget" [would have the same success "Fury"".