Each Dawn I Die

Each Dawn I Die

Year: 1939

Runtime: 92 mins

Language: English

Director: William Keighley

DramaCrimeThrillerCrime drugs and gangstersBrutal violent prison drama

An ambitious district attorney seeking higher office becomes infuriated by a reporter’s expose of his criminal dealings. Determined to quash the criticism, he concocts a scheme to frame the journalist for manslaughter, hoping the false conviction will permanently silence him.

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Timeline & Setting – Each Dawn I Die (1939)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Each Dawn I Die (1939). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1930s

Set in the mid-1930s United States, the story unfolds during a era of political corruption and tabloid-style journalism. The period's harsh social climate amplifies the stakes of wrongful conviction and the fight to clear one's name. Institutions like the parole system and the governor's office loom large, driving the plot.

Location

Prison, Courthouse

The film primarily unfolds inside a state prison, where confinement and routine shape the inmates' lives. Courtroom scenes frame the legal battle and the press coverage that follows the frame-up. The setting juxtaposes institutional power with the quest for truth, highlighting how justice can be warped by authority.

🏢 Prison 🏛 Courthouse

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:52

Main Characters – Each Dawn I Die (1939)

Meet the key characters of Each Dawn I Die (1939), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Frank Ross (James Cagney)

A crusading newspaperman framed for manslaughter who refuses to implicate his ally Stacey. He endures solitary confinement with stubborn resolve, holding onto the hope that truth will prevail. His investigative mindset drives the plot as he seeks exoneration and exposes the frame-up.

🎯 Determined 🗞️ Investigative 🧭 Principled

Hood Stacey

A lifer with a sharp, calculating mind who both befriends and uses Ross. He orchestrates bold moves, including a courtroom escape, demonstrating loyalty but also a willingness to manipulate events for his own ends. His actions catalyze the collapse of the frame and the ultimate pursuit of truth.

⚔️ Cunning 🧭 Loyal 🗡️ Calculated

Pole Cat Carlisle

A notorious jailhouse informant despised by prisoners, known for engineering the frame that lands Ross in prison. His opportunistic nature and willingness to betray colleagues highlight the prison’s corrupt social order. His eventual confession becomes a turning point in Ross’s fight for justice.

🕷️ Scheming 💬 Gossip-driven 🗝️ Opportunistic

Prison Warden John Armstrong

A stern, authoritative figure who controls parole and discipline within the prison. He operates within a web of political pressures and procedural routines, acting as a gatekeeper of mercy and punishment. His role embodies the harnessing—and potential abuse—of institutional power.

🏛️ Authoritative 🔒 Strict 🧭 Pragmatic

Judge

Presides over the case, navigating political pressures from prosecutors and the governor. The judge’s rulings influence whether justice will prevail, reflecting the legal system’s vulnerability to influence. He stands as a symbol of the machinery that can both protect and betray the truth.

⚖️ Authority 🧭 Legalism 🗳️ Political Pressure

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:52

Major Themes – Each Dawn I Die (1939)

Explore the central themes of Each Dawn I Die (1939), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚖️ Injustice

A wrongful frame-up propels the plot, exposing how legal processes can be manipulated by powerful interests. Ross must navigate a corrupt system that rewards silence over truth. The narrative centers on perseverance in the face of a miscarriage of justice and the meaning of vindication.

💰 Corruption

The crooked district attorney and the governor's cronies illustrate how political power can corrupt law enforcement and judiciary processes. Parole boards and high officials become tools to preserve a broken status quo. The story shows how money and influence can override fairness.

🗞️ Media Power

Newspaper culture and sensational reporting drive the plot, with Ross's status as a crusading journalist both aiding and complicating his fight. The press acts as a public witness and a battleground for truth versus spectacle. Coverage inflames the courtroom and shapes public perception.

🕊️ Moral Dilemma

Characters face choices between loyalty and truth, often at personal cost. Stacey’s calculated moves clash with Ross’s insistence on innocence, testing their codes of honor. The escalation toward confession, betrayal, and tragedy asks what justice truly requires.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:52

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Each Dawn I Die Summary

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Each Dawn I Die Summary

Each Dawn I Die Timeline

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Each Dawn I Die Timeline

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