List of crime films of the 1930s

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A list of crime films released in the 1930s.

Title Director Cast Country Notes
1930
The Big HouseGeorge W. HillChester Morris, Wallace Beery, Robert MontgomeryUnited StatesPrison film[1]
Born RecklessJohn Ford, Andrew BennisonEdmund Lowe, Catherine Dale Owen, Lee TracyUnited States[2]
The Cat CreepsRupert Julian, John WillardHelen Twelvetrees, Raymond Hackett, Neil Hamilton United States[3]
The Doorway to HellArchie MayoCharles Judels, Lew Ayres, James CagneyUnited States[4]
ManslaughterGeorge AbbottClaudette Colbert, Fredric March, Emma DunnUnited StatesCrime drama, prison film[5]
Night OwlsJames ParrottOliver Hardy, Stan LaurelUnited StatesCrime comedy[6]
RafflesHarry D'Abbadie D'Arrast, George FitzmauriceRonald Colman, Kay Francis, David TorrenceUnited States[7]
The Return of Dr. Fu ManchuRowland V. LeeWarner Oland, Neil Hamilton, Jean ArthurUnited States[8]
The Unholy ThreeJack ConwayLila Lee, Elliott Nugent, Harry EarlesUnited States[9]
1931
Blonde CrazyRoy Del RuthJames Cagney, Joan Blondell, Louis CalhernUnited StatesGangster film[10]
City StreetsRouben MamoulianGary Cooper, Sylvia Sidney, Paul LukasUnited States[11]
Daughter of the DragonLloyd CorriganAnna May Wong, Warner Oland, Sessue HayakawaUnited States[12]
Little CaesarMervyn LeRoyEdward G. Robinson, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Glenda FarrellUnited States[13]
Night NurseIgor Auzins, William WellmanBarbara Stanwyck, Ben Lyon, Joan BlondellUnited States[14]
The Public EnemyWilliam WellmanJames Cagney, Edward Woods, Donald CookUnited States[15]
Smart MoneyAlfred E. GreenEdward G. Robinson, Evelyn Knapp, James Cagney, Ralf HaroldeUnited States[16]
1932
Arsene LupinJack ConwayJohn Barrymore, Lionel Barrymore, Karen MorleyUnited States[17]
The Beast of the CityCharles J. BrabinWalter Huston, Jean Harlow, Wallace FordUnited States[18]
FantômasPaul FejosJean Galland, Thomy Bourdelle, Tania Fedor France[19]
The Girl From ChicagoOscar MicheauxEugene Brooks, Starr Calloway, Minta CatoUnited States[20]
Love Is a RacketWilliam WellmanDouglas Fairbanks, Jr., Ann Dvorak, Frances DeeUnited StatesCrime drama[21]
The Mask of Fu ManchuCharles J. Brabin, Charles Vidor, King VidorBoris Karloff, Lewis Stone, Karen MorleyUnited States[22]
The MouthpieceJames Flood, Elliott NugentWarren William, Aline MacMahon, William JanneyUnited States[23]
Night at the Cross RoadsJean RenoirPierre Renoir, Winna Winifred, Jean GehretFrance[24]
ScarfaceHoward HawksPaul Muni, Ann Dvorak, Karen MorleyUnited States[25]
1933
Lady KillerRoy Del RuthJames Cagney, Mae Clarke, Leslie Fenton United StatesGangster film[26]
The Little GiantRoy Del RuthEdward G. Robinson, Mary Astor, Helen VinsonUnited States[27]
The Mayor of HellArchie MayoJames Cagney, Madge Evans, Allen JenkinsUnited States[28]
The Midnight ClubGeorge Somnes, Alexander HallClive Brook, George Raft, Helen VinsonUnited States[29]
'Murders in the ZooEdward SutherlandCharlie Ruggles, Lionell Atwill, Gail PatrickUnited States[30]
PenthouseW.S. Van DykeWarner Baxter, Myrna Loy, Charles ButterworthUnited States[31]
Pick-UpMarion GeringSylvia Sidney, George Raft, William HarriganUnited States[32]
The Sin of Nora MoranPhilip GoldstoneZita Johann, Alan Dinehart, Paul CavanaghUnited States[33]
The Testament of Dr. MabuseFritz LangRudolf Klein-Rogge, Otto Wernicke, Gustav DiesslGermany [34]
La tête d'un hommeJulien DuvivierGina Manès, Harry Baur, Valery InkijinoffFrance[35]
1934
Fog Over FriscoWilliam Dieterle, Daniel ReedBette Davis, Donald Woods, Margaret Lindsay United States[36]
Limehouse BluesAlexander HallGeorge Raft, Jean Parker, Anna May WongUnited States [37]
Manhattan MelodramaW.S. Van DykeClark Gable, William Powell, Myrna LoyUnited StatesCrime drama[38]
Search for BeautyErle C. KentonLarry "Buster" Crabbe, Ida Lupino, Toby WingUnited States[39]
1935
Bulldog JackWalter FordeJack Hulbert, Fay Wray, Ralph RichardsonUnited Kingdom[40]
Crime and PunishmentPierre ChenalHarry Baur, Pierre Blanchar, Madeleine OzerayFranceCrime drama[41]
Crime and PunishmentJosef von SternbergEdward Arnold, Peter Lorre, Marian MarshUnited StatesCrime drama[42]
G MenWilliam KeighleyJames Cagney, Margaret Lindsay, Lloyd NolanUnited States[43]
ToniJean RenoirCharles Blavette, Celia Montalván, Jenny HéliaFranceCrime drama[44]
The Whole Town's TalkingJohn FordEdward G. Robinson, Jean Arthur, Wallace Ford United StatesCrime comedy[45]
1936
15 Maiden LaneAllan DwanClaire Trevor, Cesar Romero, Douglas FowleyUnited States[46]
Big Brown EyesRaoul WalshJoan Bennett, Cary Grant, Walter PidgeonUnited States[47]
The Crime of Monsieur LangeJean RenoirJules Berry, René Lefèvre, Sylvia BatailleFranceCrime drama[48]
FuryFritz LangSpencer Tracy, Sylvia Sidney, Walter AbelUnited StatesCrime drama[49]
The Petrified ForestArchie MayoLeslie Howard, Bette Davis, Humphrey BogartUnited StatesCrime drama[50]
1937
L'alibiPierre ChenalLouis Jouvet, Erich von Stroheim, Albert PréjeanFrance[51]
Black LegionArchie MayoHumphrey Bogart, Dick Foran, Erin O'Brien-MooreUnited States[52]
Charlie Chan at Monte CarloEugene J. FordeWarner Oland, Keye Luke, Virginia FieldUnited States[53]
Dead EndWilliam WylerSylvia Sidney, Joel McCrea, Humphrey BogartUnited States[54]
Marked WomanLloyd BaconBette Davis, Humphrey Bogart, Isabel JewellUnited States[55]
Pépé le MokoJulien DuvivierJean Gabin, Mireille Balin, Line NoroFranceGangster film[56]
You Only Live OnceFritz LangSylvia Sidney, Henry Fonda, Barton MacLaneUnited StatesCrime drama[57]
1938
AlgiersJohn CromwellCharles Boyer, Hedy Lamarr, Sigrid GurieUnited StatesGangster film[58]
The Amazing Dr. ClitterhouseAnatole LitvakEdward G. Robinson, Claire Trevor, Humphrey Bogart United StatesCrime comedy[59]
Angels with Dirty FacesMichael CurtizJames Cagney, Pat O'Brien, Humphrey BogartUnited StatesCrime drama[60]
La Bête HumaineJean RenoirJean Gabin, Simone Simon, Julien Carette FranceCrime drama[61]
Crime SchoolLewis SeilerBilly Halop, Bobby Jordan, Huntz HallUnited StatesJuvenile delinquency film[62]
Dangerous to KnowRobert FloreyStanley Blystone, Barlowe BorlandUnited States [63]
I Am the LawAlexander HallEdward G. Robinson, Barbara O'Neil, Wendy BarrieUnited States[64]
Port of ShadowsMarcel CarnéMichèle Morgan, Jean Gabin, Michel SimonFranceCrime drama[65]
A Slight Case of MurderLloyd BaconEdward G. Robinson, Jane Bryan, Allen JenkinsUnited StatesCrime comedy[66]
They Drive by NightArthur B. WoodsEmlyn Williams, Ernest Thesiger, Anna KonstamUnited Kingdom[67]
You and MeFritz LangSylvia Sidney, George Raft, Robert Cummings United StatesCrime comedy[68]
1939
BlackmailH.C. PotterEdward G. Robinson, Ruth Hussey, Gene LockhartUnited States[69]
DaybreakMarcel CarnéJean Gabin, Jules Berry, ArlettyFranceCrime drama[70]
Each Dawn I DieWilliam KeighleyJames Cagney, George Raft, Jane BryanUnited States[71]
I Stole a MillionFrank TuttleGeorge Raft, Claire TrevorUnited States[72]
King of the UnderworldLewis SeilerHumphrey Bogart, James Stephenson, John EldredgeUnited States[73]
Let Us LiveJohn BrahmMaureen O'Sullivan, Henry Fonda, Ralph Bellamy United States[74]
The Roaring TwentiesRaoul WalshJames Cagney, Humphrey Bogart, Priscilla LaneUnited States[75]
You Can't Get Away with MurderLewis SeilerHumphrey Bogart, Gale Page, Billy HalopUnited States[76]

Notes

  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. Brennan, Sandra. "The Mouthpiece: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  24. Erickson, Hal. "La Nuit Du Carrefour: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  25. Erickson, Hal. "Scarface: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  26. Erickson, Hal. "Lady Killer (1933)". Allmovie. Retrieved October 31, 2012.
  27. Wollstein, Hans J. "The little Giant (1933)". Allmovie. Retrieved October 31, 2012.
  28. Brennan, Sandra. "The Mayor of Hell: Overview". Retrieved August 29, 2010.
  29. Erickson, Hal. "The Midnight Club: Overview". Retrieved August 29, 2010.
  30. Erickson, Hal. "Murders in the Zoo". Retrieved October 31, 2012.
  31. Erickson, Hal. "Penthouse". Retrieved October 31, 2012.
  32. Brennan, Sandra. "Pick-Up: Overview". Retrieved August 29, 2010.
  33. Ericson, Hal. "Sin of Nora Moran". Retrieved August 29, 2010.
  34. Legare, Patrick. "The Testament of Dr. Mabuse: Overview". Retrieved October 31, 2012.
  35. "La tête d'un homme: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  36. "Fog Over Frisco: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
  37. "Limehouse Blues: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
  38. "Manhattan Melodrama: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
  39. "Search for Beauty: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
  40. Erickson, Hal. "Bulldog Jack: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
  41. Erickson, Hal. "Crime and Punishment: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
  42. Erickson, Hal. "Crime and Punishment: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
  43. Erickson, Hal. "G-Men: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
  44. Erickson, Hal. "Toni: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
  45. Costello, Michael. "The Whole Town's Talking: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
  46. Erickson, Hal. "15 Maiden Lane: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
  47. Erickson, Hal. "Big Brown Eyes: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
  48. Erickson, Hal. "The Crime of Monsieur Lange: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
  49. Brenner, Paul. "Fury: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
  50. Erickson, Hal. "The Petrified Forest: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 30, 2010.
  51. Rasmussen, Linda. "The Alibi:Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 30, 2010.
  52. Deming, Mark. "Black Legion:Overview". Allrovi. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  53. Erickson, Hal. "Charlie Chan at Monte Carlo:Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved August 30, 2010.
  54. Erickson, Hal. "Dead end". Allrovi. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  55. Erickson, Hal. "Marked Woman". Allrovi. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  56. Erickson, Hal. "Pépé le Moko". Allrovi. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  57. Erickson, Hal. "You Only Live Once". Allrovi. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  58. Erickson, Hal. "The Big House: Overview". Allrovi. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
  59. Deming, Mark. "The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse". Allrovi. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  60. Erickson, Hal. "Angels With Dirty Faces". Allrovi. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  61. Erickson, Hal. "La Bête Humaine". Allrovi. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  62. Brennan, Sandra. "Crime School". Allrovi. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  63. Brennan, Sandra. "Dangerous to Know". Allrovi. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  64. Erickson, Hal. "Dangerous to Know". Allrovi. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  65. Erickson, Hal. "Port of Shadows". Allrovi. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  66. Erickson, Hal. "A Slight Case of Murder". Allrovi. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  67. Hastings, Michael. "They Drive by Night". Allrovi. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  68. Betzold, Michael. "You and Me". Allrovi. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  69. Deming, Mark. "Blackmail". Allrovi. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
  70. Brenner, Paul. "Le Jour se leve". Allrovi. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
  71. Brenner, Paul. "Each Dawn I Die". Allrovi. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
  72. Brennen, Sandra. "I Stole a Million". Allrovi. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
  73. Wollstein, Hans J. "King of the Underworld". Allrovi. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
  74. Brennan, Sandra. "Let Us Live". Allrovi. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
  75. Butler, Craig. "Roaring Twenties". Allrovi. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
  76. Brennan, Sandra. "You Can't Get Away with Murder". Allrovi. Retrieved February 22, 2012.