Penitentiary (1938): cast, story & where to watch
1938 · Film
Released in 1938, Penitentiary is an action, drama, crime and romance film directed by John Brahm, running about 74 minutes. “Drama Whipping Your Emotions to Fever Pitch!; ONE LESS...FOR THE "BIG HOUSE"!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. The story of a D.A. who becomes a prison warden and winds up overseeing the sentence of a man he prosecuted.
Who’s in it. Penitentiary stars Walter Connolly as Dist. Atty. Thomas Mathews, John Howard as William Jordan, Jean Parker as Elizabeth Mathews and Marc Lawrence as Jack Hawkins, among others.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Penitentiary page.
If you liked it. Fans of Penitentiary tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Inception and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Penitentiary (1938)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Penitentiary change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Who stars in Penitentiary?
- Penitentiary stars Walter Connolly, John Howard, Jean Parker, Marc Lawrence and Robert Barrat.
- When was Penitentiary released?
- Penitentiary was released in 1938, with a runtime of about 74 minutes.