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IMDbPro

Safe in Hell

  • 1931
  • Passed
  • 1h 13m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
2.1K
YOUR RATING
Dorothy Mackaill in Safe in Hell (1931)
CrimeDramaRomance

After accidentally killing the man who raped her and forced her into prostitution, a New Orleans woman flees to a Caribbean island. While she awaits her fiancé, the vicious local police chie... Read allAfter accidentally killing the man who raped her and forced her into prostitution, a New Orleans woman flees to a Caribbean island. While she awaits her fiancé, the vicious local police chief sets his sights on her.After accidentally killing the man who raped her and forced her into prostitution, a New Orleans woman flees to a Caribbean island. While she awaits her fiancé, the vicious local police chief sets his sights on her.

  • Director
    • William A. Wellman
  • Writers
    • Houston Branch
    • Joseph Jackson
    • Maude Fulton
  • Stars
    • Dorothy Mackaill
    • Donald Cook
    • Ralf Harolde
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    6.9/10
    2.1K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • William A. Wellman
    • Writers
      • Houston Branch
      • Joseph Jackson
      • Maude Fulton
    • Stars
      • Dorothy Mackaill
      • Donald Cook
      • Ralf Harolde
    • 57User reviews
    • 28Critic reviews
    • 57Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro

    • Photos67

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    Top cast22

    Edit
    Dorothy Mackaill
    Dorothy Mackaill
    • Gilda Carlson - aka Gilda Erickson
    Donald Cook
    Donald Cook
    • Carl Bergen - aka Carl Erickson
    Ralf Harolde
    Ralf Harolde
    • Piet Van Saal
    John Wray
    John Wray
    • Egan
    Ivan F. Simpson
    Ivan F. Simpson
    • Crunch
    • (as Ivan Simpson)
    Victor Varconi
    Victor Varconi
    • General Emmanuel Jesus Maria Gomez
    Morgan Wallace
    Morgan Wallace
    • Mr. Bruno - the Hangman
    Nina Mae McKinney
    Nina Mae McKinney
    • Leonie - the Hotel Manager
    Charles Middleton
    Charles Middleton
    • Lawyer Jones
    Clarence Muse
    Clarence Muse
    • Newcastle - the Porter
    Gustav von Seyffertitz
    Gustav von Seyffertitz
    • Larson
    Noble Johnson
    Noble Johnson
    • Bobo - a Caribbean Policeman
    Cecil Cunningham
    Cecil Cunningham
    • Angie
    Sam Appel
    Sam Appel
    • Court Policeman
    • (uncredited)
    Lionel Belmore
    Lionel Belmore
    • Judge
    • (uncredited)
    Ted Billings
    • Jury Member
    • (uncredited)
    Rondo Hatton
    Rondo Hatton
    • Jury Member
    • (uncredited)
    Kenneth MacDonald
    Kenneth MacDonald
    • Wireless Operator
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • William A. Wellman
    • Writers
      • Houston Branch
      • Joseph Jackson
      • Maude Fulton
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Originally Barbara Stanwyck was cast as Gilda, and was even in the rehearsals. Columbia studio filed an injunction stating that Stanwyck had jumped her contract to work for Warners and still owed Columbia one film. Eventually the court granted Columbia's injunction, Mackaill (who was already in production as Gilda in wardrobe fittings) got the lead, and Stanwyck went back to Columbia to make Forbidden (1932).
    • Goofs
      While Carl is away, Gilda supposedly plays over 3400 games of solitaire in two weeks. Assuming an average of five minutes per game, this would require her to play at least 16 hours every single day.
    • Quotes

      Lawyer Jones: [Mr. Bruno, the island's executioner, has just joined them] How's tricks?

      Mr. Bruno - the Hangman: There are no tricks in my business. When a man hangs... he hangs.

      Lawyer Jones: What a satisfactory way to get rid of one's enemies.

      Mr. Bruno - the Hangman: I *have* no enemies.

      Gen. Emmanuel Jesus Maria Gomez: No "living" enemies, eh, Señor?

      Mr. Bruno - the Hangman: As jailer and executioner of this island, I may not be popular with the criminal element. But my activities are confined to island crime. While we do not believe in the international law of extradition, our own laws are very strict. But as long as you behave yourselves here, you are safe from both jail and gallows... "safe in hell."

    • Crazy credits
      The title card shows burning flames covering the letters of the title.
    • Connections
      Featured in Complicated Women (2003)
    • Soundtracks
      Pagan Moon
      (1931) (uncredited)
      Music by Joseph A. Burke
      Played during the opening and ending credits
      Played often in the score

    User reviews57

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    6/10

    Another fascinating pre-code gem

    Safe In Hell is is a cross between Sadie Thompson and The Getaway, with Dorothy Mackaill in stunning form as the 'bad girl' who runs away to a remote Caribbean island to escape her past. Director William Wellman delivers another quality picture, and we get to see Nina Mae McKinney's star power on display (including one hot jazz number!). The story is silly but fans of early thirties cinema need to see this.
    • JohnSeal
    • Apr 4, 2000
    • Permalink

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    FAQ13

    • How long is Safe in Hell?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 12, 1931 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Lost Lady
    • Filming locations
      • New Orleans, Louisiana, USA(opening shots)
    • Production company
      • First National Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 13 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White

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