Prison breakout films constituted a fairly common genre in Hollywood, although this one differs from most of the others with its other unrelated yet important plot complications. But Big House, U. S. A. Will remain a special item for consideration because of one of its unusual casting features.
The leader of the breakout gang is played by Broderick Crawford, and the role of one of his henchmen is portrayed by Lon Chaney, Jr. Several years earlier, these two actors were closely associated with the role of Lennie, the slow-witted giant (who had a fondness for petting rabbits) in John Steinbeck's classic Of Mice and Men. The novel was subsequently transformed into a successful play and in 1937---it appeared on Broadway with Crawford creating the original Lennie character on the stage. However, when the play was turned into a major motion picture in 1939 directed by Lewis Milestone, Crawford was bypassed and instead the part of Lennie was offered to Chaney. Both the play and film were well received by the critics and public, and the movie got an Oscar nomination for Best Picture of the Year---only to lose to Gone with the Wind.
Did this history have any effect on their performances in Big House, U. S. A.? Such is not evident from a viewing of the film. While Crawford lost the movie part of Lennie to Chaney, he ended up having the more successful film career---appearing as the male lead in both the Oscar nominated original version of the hit play Born Yesterday as well as earning the Oscar winning Best Actor award for All the King's Men one year earlier. Chaney continued to have a busy life as a popular character actor in many Hollywood films until his death in 1973, but he was never again offered a prestige part similar to his earlier Lennie role or like those mentioned that were given to Crawford. Ironically, Crawford got the Born Yesterday role instead of the equally well known actor who originated the part on Broadway---Paul Douglas
As for the Big House film, it is interesting, tough and often brutal. Its primary interest to us today is focused on the stellar cast---with a particular reference to the Crawford-Chaney back story. It is certainly unique.
The leader of the breakout gang is played by Broderick Crawford, and the role of one of his henchmen is portrayed by Lon Chaney, Jr. Several years earlier, these two actors were closely associated with the role of Lennie, the slow-witted giant (who had a fondness for petting rabbits) in John Steinbeck's classic Of Mice and Men. The novel was subsequently transformed into a successful play and in 1937---it appeared on Broadway with Crawford creating the original Lennie character on the stage. However, when the play was turned into a major motion picture in 1939 directed by Lewis Milestone, Crawford was bypassed and instead the part of Lennie was offered to Chaney. Both the play and film were well received by the critics and public, and the movie got an Oscar nomination for Best Picture of the Year---only to lose to Gone with the Wind.
Did this history have any effect on their performances in Big House, U. S. A.? Such is not evident from a viewing of the film. While Crawford lost the movie part of Lennie to Chaney, he ended up having the more successful film career---appearing as the male lead in both the Oscar nominated original version of the hit play Born Yesterday as well as earning the Oscar winning Best Actor award for All the King's Men one year earlier. Chaney continued to have a busy life as a popular character actor in many Hollywood films until his death in 1973, but he was never again offered a prestige part similar to his earlier Lennie role or like those mentioned that were given to Crawford. Ironically, Crawford got the Born Yesterday role instead of the equally well known actor who originated the part on Broadway---Paul Douglas
As for the Big House film, it is interesting, tough and often brutal. Its primary interest to us today is focused on the stellar cast---with a particular reference to the Crawford-Chaney back story. It is certainly unique.