MovieChat Forums > I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang (1932) Discussion > Georgia or Virginia?

Georgia or Virginia?

posted 19 years ago by boazbenjamin
19 replies | jump to latest

Although only referred to generically in the movie itself (e.g. "this state"), it is generally assumed that the vindictive chain gang state depicted in this film is Georgia - even by the state of Georgia itself, to the extent that it banned the film in the state and threatened to treat the studio head and film director to a taste of Georgian "social injustice" if they should ever be caught there! This is undoubtedly due to the fact that the true story of Robert E. Burns on which this film was based occurred in Georgia, and perhaps reflects the peculiarities of the Georgia chain gang system as well. I contend however, that as depicted in the film, the state in question is Virginia. Before attemnpting his escape, Paul Muni is told whom to contact "when you get to Staunton" (Virginia - west of Charlottesville). I believe a second Western Virginia town was mentioned during the escape as well. (Was it Danville? I've forgotten.) Finally, one of the newspaper articles covering the escape refers to the state as "commonwealth." If I am not mistaken, the only two states to apply this title to themselves are Virginia and Massachusetts. Also, note that in the film Muni makes his escape to Chicago, while in reality Burns found refuge in New Jersey.

[–] coolman5 19 years ago

Virginia is not at all in this film. I know for a fact because I am a native of Virginia and I keep close attention for when a film is set there and it usually never is. James Allen was from Massachusetts originally. Then the chain gang was in Georgia and he escaped to Atlanta.

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] Trinchurian 18 years ago

He was not from Massachusetts. He clearly travels to Boston seeking work. He was from the New York/New Jersey area.

[–] grockbuster 18 years ago

There are four states that call themselves "commonwealths": Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Kentucky.

[–] lubidedoo879 18 years ago

The movie clearly implies Kentucky, which is one of the four commonwealths, because after he voluntarily goes back, the map that has traced his constant wandering pans down from Chicago and stops over Kentucky. I don't remember any mention of Staunton or Danville, but it could be likely that he ran east from Kentucky to western Virginia. It is also possible that there is a Staunton, Kentucky. Whichever it is, they make it fairly clear that Kentucky was where he was imprisoned.

[–] crankenstyne 18 years ago

If you'll notice, the camera never actually makes it clear what state the actual crime takes place. On all the previous stops on James Allen's tour, the camera clearly stops on the city (on the map) in which Allen visits, but it doesn't do so on the location where the robbery takes place. It looks like it stops in Kentucky... that's where I always thought the robbery, trial and prison time took place. But after Muni turns himself in following the first escape, he is sent to the 'Tuttle County Prison'. Tuttle is Oklahoma. So it would stand to reason that Oklahoma is the state where the crime, trial and prison were located.

http://www.dvdaficionado.com/dvds.html?cat=1&sub=All&id=squid_vicious

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] mdevogel 18 years ago

Hello people,
ever heard of google? ;) (i loved the film btw.!! but why didn't they call Georgia by name do you think? That would have made the film even better.

(sorry about my crappy english)
How Hollywood Reformed The Georgia Prison System
From: Georgia Journal, Spring 1992
By Kaye Lanning Minchew
http://www.trouparchives.org/burns.html

[–] crankenstyne 18 years ago

The reason they didn't mention Georgia (or any other specific state) was simply to avoid further controversy. They purposely made it vague as to which state the crime was committed and the prison sentence served for that very reason. After the first escape, however, the cop in the barbershop mentions that a convict escaped from the 'Merritt County chain gang' Merritt county is in OK. Also, Bomber mentions before the 1st escape that Allen should hit up Barney in Stanton, which I believe is in KY. And I already mentioned that when he turns himself in he is brought to the Tuttle County Camp which is in OK. But regardless of all this, the fact remains that WB purposely made the exact location of crime and prison camp(s) to be somewhat vague to avoid controversy.

http://www.dvdaficionado.com/dvds.html?cat=1&sub=All&id=squid_vicious

[–] mikeoak840 18 years ago

They mention all the different states, counties, cities & commonwealths simply so it can't be nailed down to Georgia. If they leave it ambiguous and confusing, Georgia & certain Georgians couldn't sue successfully, which they did try and lost on.

[–] arwest1234 17 years ago

It was definitely Georgia. When he gets to Atlanta, they show the cityscape from back then. It includes the Rialto (which has been rebuilt) and other landmarks.

You can see the same Rialto picture here:
http://www.rialtocenter.org/about/history.html

[–] KennySlayer 16 years ago

The film is based on an autobiography. Which is aptly named, I am a fugitive from a Georgia Chain Gang.

http://www.amazon.com/Fugitive-Georgia-Chain-Brown-Thrasher/dp/0820319430

edit for typos

[–] crankenstyne 16 years ago

True, the book and the real-life story take place in Georgia, but the FILM never suggests that it was Georgia. Read my two earlier posts in this topic... and if you don't believe me, listen to the commentary on the DVD.

My DVDs http://squid-vicious.dvdaf.com/owned?rc=1

[–] stanleybix-1 16 years ago

I remember watching this movie on TV as a kid. My mother referred to it as "I Am A Fugitve From A Georgia Chain Gang". As she was an avid reader, she had probably read the book.

[–] connorarroyo-1 15 years ago

Maryland and Kentucky are the other two commonwealth states for a total of four.

[–] memzilla 15 years ago

At about :50 in, after he eats the hot dogs, crosses, and boards the train, you can see "Chattanooga and St. Louis Railroad" on one of the passenger cars.

[–] thecrux-1 13 years ago

The Chattanooga and St. Louis Railroad did go to Atlanta GA, which I guess would validate the Georgia theme, although the steam locomotive was distinctly Southern Pacific RR, which validates the actual shooting location of California.

Just an FYI, there is a city of Staunton Virginia, however in the state area it is pronounced "STAN-ton". I found that out recently from spending time around there. Makes no sense, but it is what it is.

[–] sonofbeach-sheet 12 years ago

I might add: none of the accents sounded inbred, err, I mean Southern. Making it even more ambiguous

[–] thomas-begen-194-976045 9 years ago

I appreciate all of the dialogue in this thread; though, I plan to start my own. Much of the dialogue is enlightening but the bottom line is wherever James Allen was wrongly convicted of the crime is the state where he would serve on the chain gang.

I realize that movie's message doesn't rely entirely on the specific location. I understand the reasons for not specifically pointing out Virginia, Georgia, Kentucky, or whatever other state it may've been. However, I don't see any evidence whatsoever that Allen committed the "crime" in any of those states.

I watched the film closely. As far as I could tell he was nowhere near Virginia, Kentucky, or Georgia when he committed the "crime." By all appearances he seemed to be in New England, as he said he would be, unless I missed something. However, I don't believe I missed something. I believe the film, perhaps intentionally, did a poor job of naming the specific location. Not to mention how pathetic the initial "crime" and conviction are.

Other than that I thought this was a good movie, with a strong message and, at some points, great acting. I liked Bomber; and Muni was alright; but I would give the real accolades to his conniving wife.