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The Man Who Cried Wolf

  • 19371937
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 8m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
59
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
The Man Who Cried Wolf (1937)
  • Crime
  • Drama
An actor continually confesses to murders he didn't commit, figuring that the police won't believe him when he confesses to a murder that he actually does intend to commit.An actor continually confesses to murders he didn't commit, figuring that the police won't believe him when he confesses to a murder that he actually does intend to commit.An actor continually confesses to murders he didn't commit, figuring that the police won't believe him when he confesses to a murder that he actually does intend to commit.
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
59
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Lewis R. Foster
  • Writers
    • Arthur Rohlsfel(story "Too Clever to Live")
    • Charles Grayson(original screenplay)
    • Sy Bartlett(original screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Lewis Stone
    • Barbara Read
    • Tom Brown
Top credits
  • Director
    • Lewis R. Foster
  • Writers
    • Arthur Rohlsfel(story "Too Clever to Live")
    • Charles Grayson(original screenplay)
    • Sy Bartlett(original screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Lewis Stone
    • Barbara Read
    • Tom Brown
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 4User reviews
    • 5Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos

    Lewis Stone and Jameson Thomas in The Man Who Cried Wolf (1937)
    The Man Who Cried Wolf (1937)
    Forrester Harvey and Lewis Stone in The Man Who Cried Wolf (1937)
    Add photo

    Top cast

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    Lewis Stone
    Lewis Stone
    • Lawrence Fontaineas Lawrence Fontaine
    Barbara Read
    Barbara Read
    • Nanas Nan
    Tom Brown
    Tom Brown
    • Tommy Bradleyas Tommy Bradley
    Forrester Harvey
    Forrester Harvey
    • Jockoas Jocko
    Jameson Thomas
    Jameson Thomas
    • George Bradleyas George Bradley
    Marjorie Main
    Marjorie Main
    • Amelia Bradleyas Amelia Bradley
    Robert Gleckler
    Robert Gleckler
    • Capt. Walter Reidas Capt. Walter Reid
    Billy Wayne
    Billy Wayne
    • Halliganas Halligan
    Ernie Adams
    Ernie Adams
    • Reporteras Reporter
    • (uncredited)
    Stanley Andrews
    Stanley Andrews
    • A Judgeas A Judge
    • (uncredited)
    Gertrude Astor
    Gertrude Astor
    • Landladyas Landlady
    • (uncredited)
    Wilson Benge
    Wilson Benge
    • Butleras Butler
    • (uncredited)
    Charles Bennett
    Charles Bennett
    • Taxi Manageras Taxi Manager
    • (uncredited)
    Sam Bennett
    • Proprietoras Proprietor
    • (uncredited)
    James Blaine
    James Blaine
    • Doormanas Doorman
    • (uncredited)
    Harry Boman
    • Lodgeras Lodger
    • (uncredited)
    Aileen Carlyle
    • Maidas Maid
    • (uncredited)
    William Castle
    William Castle
    • Customer at Box Officeas Customer at Box Office
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Lewis R. Foster
    • Writers
      • Arthur Rohlsfel(story "Too Clever to Live")
      • Charles Grayson(original screenplay)
      • Sy Bartlett(original screenplay)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    An actor continually confesses to murders he didn't commit, figuring that the police won't believe him when he confesses to a murder that he actually does intend to commit.
    • murder
    • police
    • actor
    • mother son relationship
    • father son relationship
    • 43 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • HE CONFESSED WHEN INNOCENT! THEY DOUBTED HIM WHEN GUILTY!
    • Genres
      • Crime
      • Drama
    • Certificate
      • Approved
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Shooting lasted from June 1-21, 1937, released Aug. 29.
    • Connections
      Featured in Wide Scream Theatre: The Man Who Cried Wolf (1971)

    User reviews4

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Intriguing old thriller
    It's unfortunate that The Man Who Cried Wolf hasn't been remastered, as it could easily have been a classic thriller known to modern audiences the way Strangers on a Train is. This forgotten classic is riveting and has likable characters you care about. An actor confesses to murders, knowing he'll be discovered innocent and thought of as a joke by the police force. What's his point? He's planning on committing a murder in the future, and he wants the police to scratch him off the suspect list immediately. Isn't that brilliant?

    The tour-de-force role is eaten up by Lewis Stone, the man soon to be known as the wise, calm Judge Hardy who never has an emotional outburst. This is a fantastic, meaty change of pace for Lew, so if you only think of him as tired and resigned, you've got to check this one out. You might think he's a bit old to take on a leading role and carry the entire movie, but keep in mind he' had gray hair ever since he was twenty, so his locks are more a statement of elegance than age. This is a very enjoyable old movie, with lots of dramatic intrigue, a very fitting title, and a compelling story with twists and turns. Rent it during a rainy afternoon! You'll also get to see a pre-hick Marjorie Main. This was one of her first speaking roles, and she plays a wealthy, corrupt snob, the exact opposite of how she was throughout the rest of her career!

    DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. About 5 minutes before the end, there's a montage and the camera swirls a bit; that will make you sick. In other words, "Don't Look, Mom!"
    helpful•3
    1
    • HotToastyRag
    • Jan 5, 2020

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 29, 1937 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Too Clever to Live
    • Filming locations
      • Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Universal Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 8 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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