List of crime films of the 1930s


This is a list of crime films released in the 1930s.

Title Director Cast Country Notes
1930
The Big House George W. Hill Chester Morris, Wallace Beery, Robert Montgomery United States Prison film[1]
Born Reckless John Ford, Andrew Bennison Edmund Lowe, Catherine Dale Owen, Lee Tracy United States [2]
The Cat Creeps Rupert Julian, John Willard Helen Twelvetrees, Raymond Hackett, Neil Hamilton United States [3]
The Doorway to Hell Archie Mayo Charles Judels, Lew Ayres, James Cagney United States [4]
Manslaughter George Abbott Claudette Colbert, Fredric March, Emma Dunn United States Crime drama, prison film[5]
Night Owls James Parrott Oliver Hardy, Stan Laurel United States Crime comedy[6]
Raffles Harry D'Abbadie D'Arrast, George Fitzmaurice Ronald Colman, Kay Francis, David Torrence United States [7]
The Return of Dr. Fu Manchu Rowland V. Lee Warner Oland, Neil Hamilton, Jean Arthur United States [8]
The Unholy Three Jack Conway Lila Lee, Elliott Nugent, Harry Earles United States [9]
1931
Blonde Crazy Roy Del Ruth James Cagney, Joan Blondell, Louis Calhern United States Gangster film[10]
City Streets Rouben Mamoulian Gary Cooper, Sylvia Sidney, Paul Lukas United States [11]
Daughter of the Dragon Lloyd Corrigan Anna May Wong, Warner Oland, Sessue Hayakawa United States [12]
Little Caesar Mervyn LeRoy Edward G. Robinson, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Glenda Farrell United States [13]
Night Nurse Igor Auzins, William Wellman Barbara Stanwyck, Ben Lyon, Joan Blondell United States [14]
The Public Enemy William Wellman James Cagney, Edward Woods, Donald Cook United States [15]
Smart Money Alfred E. Green Edward G. Robinson, Evelyn Knapp, James Cagney, Ralf Harolde United States [16]
1932
Arsene Lupin Jack Conway John Barrymore, Lionel Barrymore, Karen Morley United States [17]
The Beast of the City Charles J. Brabin Walter Huston, Jean Harlow, Wallace Ford United States [18]
Fantômas Paul Fejos Jean Galland, Thomy Bourdelle, Tania Fédor France [19]
The Girl From Chicago Oscar Micheaux Eunice Brooks, Starr Calloway, Minta Cato United States [20]
Love Is a Racket William Wellman Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Ann Dvorak, Frances Dee United States Crime drama[21]
The Mask of Fu Manchu Charles J. Brabin, Charles Vidor, King Vidor Boris Karloff, Lewis Stone, Karen Morley United States [22]
Me and My Gal Raoul Walsh Spencer Tracy, Joan Bennett, Marion Burns, George Walsh United States [23]
The Mouthpiece James Flood, Elliott Nugent Warren William, Aline MacMahon, William Janney United States [24]
Night at the Cross Roads Jean Renoir Pierre Renoir, Winna Winifred, Jean Gehret France [25]
Scarface Howard Hawks Paul Muni, Ann Dvorak, Karen Morley United States [26]
1933
Lady Killer Roy Del Ruth James Cagney, Mae Clarke, Leslie Fenton United States Gangster film[27]
The Little Giant Roy Del Ruth Edward G. Robinson, Mary Astor, Helen Vinson United States [28]
The Mayor of Hell Archie Mayo James Cagney, Madge Evans, Allen Jenkins United States [29]
The Midnight Club George Somnes, Alexander Hall Clive Brook, George Raft, Helen Vinson United States [30]
Murders in the Zoo Edward Sutherland Charlie Ruggles, Lionell Atwill, Gail Patrick United States [31]
Penthouse W. S. Van Dyke Warner Baxter, Myrna Loy, Charles Butterworth United States [32]
Pick-Up Marion Gering Sylvia Sidney, George Raft, William Harrigan United States [33]
The Sin of Nora Moran Philip Goldstone Zita Johann, Alan Dinehart, Paul Cavanagh United States [34]
The Testament of Dr. Mabuse Fritz Lang Rudolf Klein-Rogge, Otto Wernicke, Gustav Diessl Germany [35]
La tête d'un homme Julien Duvivier Gina Manès, Harry Baur, Valery Inkijinoff France [36]
1934
Fog Over Frisco William Dieterle, Daniel Reed Bette Davis, Donald Woods, Margaret Lindsay United States [37]
Limehouse Blues Alexander Hall George Raft, Jean Parker, Anna May Wong United States [38]
Manhattan Melodrama W. S. Van Dyke Clark Gable, William Powell, Myrna Loy United States Crime drama[39]
Search for Beauty Erle C. Kenton Larry "Buster" Crabbe, Ida Lupino, Toby Wing United States [40]
1935
Bulldog Jack Walter Forde Jack Hulbert, Fay Wray, Ralph Richardson United Kingdom [41]
Crime and Punishment Pierre Chenal Harry Baur, Pierre Blanchar, Madeleine Ozeray France Crime drama[42]
Crime and Punishment Josef von Sternberg Edward Arnold, Peter Lorre, Marian Marsh United States Crime drama[43]
G Men William Keighley James Cagney, Margaret Lindsay, Lloyd Nolan United States [44]
Toni Jean Renoir Charles Blavette, Celia Montalván, Jenny Hélia France Crime drama[45]
The Whole Town's Talking John Ford Edward G. Robinson, Jean Arthur, Wallace Ford United States Crime comedy[46]
1936
15 Maiden Lane Allan Dwan Claire Trevor, Cesar Romero, Douglas Fowley United States [47]
Big Brown Eyes Raoul Walsh Joan Bennett, Cary Grant, Walter Pidgeon United States [48]
The Crime of Monsieur Lange Jean Renoir Jules Berry, René Lefèvre, Sylvia Bataille France Crime drama[49]
Fury Fritz Lang Spencer Tracy, Sylvia Sidney, Walter Abel United States Crime drama[50]
The Petrified Forest Archie Mayo Leslie Howard, Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart United States Crime drama[51]
Reefer Madness Louis J. Gasnier Dorothy Short, Kenneth Craig, Lillian Miles United States Crime drama[52]
1937
L'alibi Pierre Chenal Louis Jouvet, Erich von Stroheim, Albert Préjean France [53]
Black Legion Archie Mayo, Michael Curtiz Humphrey Bogart, Dick Foran, Erin O'Brien-Moore United States [54]
Charlie Chan at Monte Carlo Eugene J. Forde Warner Oland, Keye Luke, Virginia Field United States [55]
Dead End William Wyler Sylvia Sidney, Joel McCrea, Humphrey Bogart United States [56]
Jump for Glory Raoul Walsh Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
Valerie Hobson
Alan Hale Sr.
United Kingdom
United States
[57]
Marked Woman Lloyd Bacon, Michael Curtiz Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart, Isabel Jewell United States [58]
Pépé le Moko Julien Duvivier Jean Gabin, Mireille Balin, Line Noro France Gangster film[59]
You Only Live Once Fritz Lang Sylvia Sidney, Henry Fonda, Barton MacLane United States Crime drama[60]
1938
Algiers John Cromwell Charles Boyer, Hedy Lamarr, Sigrid Gurie United States Gangster film[61]
The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse Anatole Litvak Edward G. Robinson, Claire Trevor, Humphrey Bogart United States Crime comedy[62]
Angels with Dirty Faces Michael Curtiz James Cagney, Pat O'Brien, Humphrey Bogart United States Crime drama[63]
La Bête Humaine Jean Renoir Jean Gabin, Simone Simon, Julien Carette France Crime drama[64]
Crime School Lewis Seiler Billy Halop, Bobby Jordan, Huntz Hall United States Juvenile delinquency film[65]
Dangerous to Know Robert Florey Stanley Blystone, Barlowe Borland United States [66]
I Am the Law Alexander Hall Edward G. Robinson, Barbara O'Neil, Wendy Barrie United States [67]
Port of Shadows Marcel Carné Michèle Morgan, Jean Gabin, Michel Simon France Crime drama[68]
A Slight Case of Murder Lloyd Bacon Edward G. Robinson, Jane Bryan, Allen Jenkins United States Crime comedy[69]
They Drive by Night Arthur B. Woods Emlyn Williams, Ernest Thesiger, Anna Konstam United Kingdom [70]
You and Me Fritz Lang Sylvia Sidney, George Raft, Robert Cummings United States Crime comedy[71]
Young Fugitives John Rawlins Robert Wilcox, Dorothea Kent, Harry Davenport United States Crime
1939
Blackmail H. C. Potter Edward G. Robinson, Ruth Hussey, Gene Lockhart United States [72]
Daybreak Marcel Carné Jean Gabin, Jules Berry, Arletty France Crime drama[73]
Each Dawn I Die William Keighley James Cagney, George Raft, Jane Bryan United States [74]
I Stole a Million Frank Tuttle George Raft, Claire Trevor United States [75]
King of the Underworld Lewis Seiler Humphrey Bogart, James Stephenson, John Eldredge United States [76]
Let Us Live John Brahm Maureen O'Sullivan, Henry Fonda, Ralph Bellamy United States [77]
The Roaring Twenties Raoul Walsh James Cagney, Humphrey Bogart, Priscilla Lane United States [78]
You Can't Get Away with Murder Lewis Seiler Humphrey Bogart, Gale Page, Billy Halop United States [79]

Notes

edit
  1. ^ Erickson, Hal. "The Big House: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
  2. ^ Brennan, Sandra. "Born Reckless: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
  3. ^ Erickson, Hal. "The Cat Creeps: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
  4. ^ Brennan, Sandra. "The Doorway to Hell: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
  5. ^ Erickson, Hal. "Manslaughter: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
  6. ^ Garza, Janiss. "Night Owls: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
  7. ^ Williams, Karl. "Raffles: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
  8. ^ Williams, Karl. "The Return of Dr. Fu Manchu: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
  9. ^ Erickson, Hal. "The Unholy Three: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
  10. ^ Erickson, Hal. "Blonde Crazy: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
  11. ^ Erickson, Hal. "City Streets: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
  12. ^ Brennan, Sandra. "Daughter of the Dragon: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
  13. ^ Eder, Bruce. "Little Caesar: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
  14. ^ Wollstein, Hans J. "Night Nurse: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
  15. ^ Erickson, Hal. "The Public Enemy: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
  16. ^ Erickson, Hal. "Smart Money: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
  17. ^ Deming, Mark. "Arsene Lupin: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  18. ^ Brennan, Sandra. "The Beast of the City: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  19. ^ Erickson, Hal. "Fantômas: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  20. ^ Wollstein, Hans J. "The Girl From Chicago: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  21. ^ Wollstein, Hans J. "Love Is a Racket: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  22. ^ Eder, Bruce. "The Mask of Fu Manchu: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  23. ^ "Me and My Gal". Allmovie. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  24. ^ Brennan, Sandra. "The Mouthpiece: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  25. ^ Erickson, Hal. "La Nuit Du Carrefour: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  26. ^ Erickson, Hal. "Scarface: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  27. ^ Erickson, Hal. "Lady Killer (1933)". Allmovie. Retrieved October 31, 2012.
  28. ^ Wollstein, Hans J. "The little Giant (1933)". Allmovie. Retrieved October 31, 2012.
  29. ^ Brennan, Sandra. "The Mayor of Hell: Overview". Retrieved August 29, 2010.
  30. ^ Erickson, Hal. "The Midnight Club: Overview". Retrieved August 29, 2010.
  31. ^ Erickson, Hal. "Murders in the Zoo". Retrieved October 31, 2012.
  32. ^ Erickson, Hal. "Penthouse". Retrieved October 31, 2012.
  33. ^ Brennan, Sandra. "Pick-Up: Overview". Retrieved August 29, 2010.
  34. ^ Ericson, Hal. "Sin of Nora Moran". Retrieved August 29, 2010.
  35. ^ Legare, Patrick. "The Testament of Dr. Mabuse: Overview". Retrieved October 31, 2012.
  36. ^ "La tête d'un homme: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  37. ^ "Fog Over Frisco: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
  38. ^ "Limehouse Blues: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
  39. ^ "Manhattan Melodrama: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
  40. ^ "Search for Beauty: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
  41. ^ Erickson, Hal. "Bulldog Jack: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
  42. ^ Erickson, Hal. "Crime and Punishment: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
  43. ^ Erickson, Hal. "Crime and Punishment: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
  44. ^ Erickson, Hal. "G-Men: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
  45. ^ Erickson, Hal. "Toni: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
  46. ^ Costello, Michael. "The Whole Town's Talking: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
  47. ^ Erickson, Hal. "15 Maiden Lane: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
  48. ^ Erickson, Hal. "Big Brown Eyes: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
  49. ^ Erickson, Hal. "The Crime of Monsieur Lange: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
  50. ^ Brenner, Paul. "Fury: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
  51. ^ Erickson, Hal. "The Petrified Forest: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 30, 2010.
  52. ^ "Reefer Madness (1936) - Louis Gasnier, Louis J. Gasnier, Herman Hertz | Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related | AllMovie".
  53. ^ Rasmussen, Linda. "The Alibi:Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 30, 2010.
  54. ^ Deming, Mark. "Black Legion:Overview". Allrovi. Archived from the original on July 19, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  55. ^ Erickson, Hal. "Charlie Chan at Monte Carlo:Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 30, 2010.
  56. ^ Erickson, Hal. "Dead end". Allrovi. Archived from the original on July 19, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  57. ^ "Jump for Glory". Allmovie. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  58. ^ Erickson, Hal. "Marked Woman". Allrovi. Archived from the original on January 17, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  59. ^ Erickson, Hal. "Pépé le Moko". Allrovi. Archived from the original on June 5, 2011. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  60. ^ Erickson, Hal. "You Only Live Once". Allrovi. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  61. ^ Erickson, Hal. "The Big House: Overview". Allrovi. Archived from the original on July 19, 2012. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
  62. ^ Deming, Mark. "The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse". Allrovi. Archived from the original on January 17, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  63. ^ Erickson, Hal. "Angels With Dirty Faces". Allrovi. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  64. ^ Erickson, Hal. "La Bête Humaine". Allrovi. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  65. ^ Brennan, Sandra. "Crime School". Allrovi. Archived from the original on July 18, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  66. ^ Brennan, Sandra. "Dangerous to Know". Allrovi. Archived from the original on July 18, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  67. ^ Erickson, Hal. "Dangerous to Know". Allrovi. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  68. ^ Erickson, Hal. "Port of Shadows". Allrovi. Archived from the original on June 14, 2011. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  69. ^ Erickson, Hal. "A Slight Case of Murder". Allrovi. Archived from the original on September 10, 2011. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  70. ^ Hastings, Michael. "They Drive by Night". Allrovi. Archived from the original on January 26, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  71. ^ Betzold, Michael. "You and Me". Allrovi. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  72. ^ Deming, Mark. "Blackmail". Allrovi. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
  73. ^ Brenner, Paul. "Le Jour se leve". Allrovi. Archived from the original on June 14, 2011. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
  74. ^ Brenner, Paul. "Each Dawn I Die". Allrovi. Archived from the original on July 18, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
  75. ^ Brennen, Sandra. "I Stole a Million". Allrovi. Archived from the original on July 22, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
  76. ^ Wollstein, Hans J. "King of the Underworld". Allrovi. Archived from the original on July 21, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
  77. ^ Brennan, Sandra. "Let Us Live". Allrovi. Archived from the original on July 20, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
  78. ^ Butler, Craig. "Roaring Twenties". Allrovi. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
  79. ^ Brennan, Sandra. "You Can't Get Away with Murder". Allrovi. Archived from the original on July 21, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2012.