"I AM A FUGITIVE."

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 109, 11 May 1933, Page 8

"I AM A FUGITIVE."

A FILM OF REALITY. "I Am a Fugitive," which was seen at a preview during the week, and which will open its Auckland season at the Civic Theatre to-morrow, is the most startling film yet to reach the screen. Based on fact, it presents the vivid story of Robert E. Burns, who during the last few years escaped twice from the chain gangs of Georgia State, and who was only arrested for the third time a few months ago. He wrote his vivid impressions of the Georgia chain gang system whilst in hiding. It was published in America, and created a sensation. "I Am a Fugitive" shows an innocent man being transformed by a merciless system into a hunted animal. One would imagine that the chain gang went out with the abolition of slavery and the abandonment of the transportation of convicts, yet here it is with all the barbarism displayed as it is now in operation amongst the citizens of a great democracy.

A preview of this great picture causes blank astonishment that tho United States Government should allow an admittedly true state of affairs to be given the light of day. A tragical, moving portrayal is given by Paul Muni as James Allen, a young engineer who finds himself, through the stress of post-war conditions, forced into a crime, which earns him 10 years' hard labour. Allen then begins a life the horrors of which are almost unimaginable. An escape that for suspense has never been equalled on the screen enables him to reach another State, and over a period of years he gradually builds himself an honoured if a new name in the world. However, in course of time a woman's treachery hands him back to "justice," but the Governor of the State in which he has won his executive position refuses to extradite him. It is only when he voluntarily surrenders, after a promise of a psfrdon after 90 days' further imprisonment, that the Georgia State authorities are able to get their hands on him once more. When they do they are able to take full revenge for the publicity he has given to their methods, and Allen's life is made unbearable. A further thrill escape is made, but this time he is condemned to a life in which every man's hand seems raised against him. The last sequence shows him meeting the woman he loves in a garage. He is like a hunted beast. A door bangs and he prepares to bolt. "Where are you going? What are you going to do?" she asks him in dismay. "I shall steal," and it is to the echo of that hunted voice that the film fades out.

The vividness of this picture is such that it leaves imperishable impressions, so lifelike are the characterisations that march through this exposure of American criminal methods. Nobody who is interested in humanity will regret seeing "I Am a Fugitive."