Four Hours to Kill! 1935
""Get ready to die, you rat! You sent me to the gallows for a measly two hundred bucks!""
In *Four Hours to Kill! (1935)*, Mitchell Leisen crafts a tense, atmospheric crime drama set against the glittering backdrop of a Broadway theater.
Director: Mitchell Leisen
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Four Hours to Kill! (1935) about?
A detective racing against time to deliver an escaped killer to the gallows gets stranded in a Broadway theater lobby with four hours to spare. As he waits, the tension between him and his prisoner escalates, while the theater's colorful characters add layers of drama and intrigue.
Who directed Four Hours to Kill!?
Mitchell Leisen directed *Four Hours to Kill!*, known for his skill in blending suspense with character-driven storytelling in pre-Code Hollywood thrillers.
Who stars in Four Hours to Kill!?
The film features Richard Barthelmess as the detective, Ray Milland as the escaped killer, and supporting roles from Gertrude Michael, Helen Mack, and Dorothy Tree.
Is Four Hours to Kill! (1935) worth watching?
Though unrated on IMDb, this 70-minute crime drama offers tight pacing, sharp performances, and a unique setting that makes it a standout in 1930s cinema. Fans of classic suspense with a touch of theatrical flair will find it compelling.
How long is Four Hours to Kill!?
The runtime is 70 minutes.
About Four Hours to Kill! (1935) — A 70-Minute Crime Drama in a Broadway Lobby
In *Four Hours to Kill! (1935)*, Mitchell Leisen crafts a tense, atmospheric crime drama set against the glittering backdrop of a Broadway theater. The film follows a detective who must transport a cunning escaped killer to the gallows, but with four hours to spare, he finds himself trapped in the lobby of a bustling musical venue. As the clock ticks down, the detective's uneasy standoff with his prisoner unfolds amid the chaotic energy of the theater—where performers, patrons, and staff collide in unexpected ways. Leisen masterfully blends suspense with social intrigue, exploring themes of justice, fate, and the fragile boundaries between hunter and hunted.
The confined setting amplifies the film's claustrophobic tension, as each character's secrets and motives come to light in real time. With sharp dialogue and a keen eye for drama, *Four Hours to Kill!* delivers a compact yet gripping narrative that keeps viewers guessing until the final curtain falls.