by Hal Erickson
synopsis
Mascot Films, the feisty precursor to Republic Pictures, was responsible for 1933's The Big Payoff. In a rare top-billed role, chameleon-like character-actor Lucien Littlefield plays an innocent man who has been railroaded to the electric chair. Coming to the rescue is Victor Jory, a disgraced police officer who redeems himself by locating the guilty party. More than one reviewer caught on that The Big Payoff resembled a western in modern garb. And small wonder, since the film was based on a short story by Peter B. Kyne.
characteristics
- Redemption
- Miscarriage Of Justice
- Death Row
- Kill
- Murder
- Officer
- Poverty
- Yakuza
- Mob
- Police
- Mafia
- Employment
- Deprivation
- False-accusation
- Gang
