Obey the Law (1933) - Turner Classic Movies

Obey the Law


1h 4m 1933

Film Details

Also Known As
East of Fifth Avenue
Genre
Drama
Release Date
Jan 20, 1933
Premiere Information
not available
Production Company
Foy Productions, Ltd.
Distribution Company
Columbia Pictures Corp.
Country
United States

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 4m
Sound
Mono
Color
Black and White
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
1.37 : 1
Film Length
7 reels

Synopsis

Tony Pasqual is an Italian immigrant making a living as a barber on New York's East Side. He is deeply patriotic and his greatest day is when he receives American citizenship. That same day, Bob Richards robs Tony of his last five dollars, but instead of reporting Bob to the local policeman, Tony takes Bob home and feeds him, his sister, Grace Chester, and her son, Dickie. After learning that Bob is a decorated World War I veteran who is deeply cynical about the government Tony so loves, Tony lands Bob work at a local café. One day Bob is killed during a fight at the neighborhood gambling house while trying to take a young boy out at his mother's request. Tony, who has fallen in love with Grace, takes over the support of her and Dickie. Despite threats to his life, Tony testifies about Bob's murder. He is shot and wounded while leaving the courtroom, but this does not prevent him from naming Kid Paris as Bob's murderer from his hospital bed. "Big Joe" Rierdon, the local crime boss who also controls the neighborhood assemblyman, gives free shoes to the neighborhood, hoping his charity will blind Tony to his activities, since Tony has become an unofficial spokesman for the tenement neighbors. Tony discovers that Rierdon owns the gambling establishment, however, and even after Rierdon tries to keep him quiet by bombing his shop, Tony makes a public radio broadcast to expose Rierdon. Rierdon's arrest leaves Tony and Grace free to marry.

Film Details

Also Known As
East of Fifth Avenue
Genre
Drama
Release Date
Jan 20, 1933
Premiere Information
not available
Production Company
Foy Productions, Ltd.
Distribution Company
Columbia Pictures Corp.
Country
United States

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 4m
Sound
Mono
Color
Black and White
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
1.37 : 1
Film Length
7 reels

Quotes

Trivia

Notes

The working title of this film was East of Fifth Avenue.