The Penalty (1941): cast, story & where to watch
1941 · Film · ★ 6
Released in 1941, The Penalty is a drama and crime film directed by Harold S. Bucquet, running about 80 minutes. “Find the Blonde and Get the Gangster!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. In this crime drama, a ruthless gangster's son is soon following in his father's footsteps. When his daddy kills an FBI agent and a cabby, the boy sees it all. Fortunately the courts intervene and send the lad off to live with a family of farmers.
Who’s in it. The Penalty stars Gene Reynolds as Russell 'Roosty' Nelson, Edward Arnold as Martin 'Stuff' Nelson, Lionel Barrymore as 'Grandpop' Logan and Robert Sterling as Edward McCormick, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.0/10, The Penalty has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Penalty page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Penalty tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Penalty (1941)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Penalty change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Penalty worth watching?
- The Penalty holds an audience score of 6.0 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama and crime. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Penalty?
- The Penalty stars Gene Reynolds, Edward Arnold, Lionel Barrymore, Robert Sterling and Gene Reynolds.
- When was The Penalty released?
- The Penalty was released in 1941, with a runtime of about 80 minutes.