Murder in the Big House

Murder in the Big House

Year: 1942

Runtime: 59 mins

Language: English

Director: B. Reeves Eason

ActionDramaRomanceAdventureCrime

Murder Behind Bars! WHEN? WHO? HOW? When a prisoner on Death Row is “accidentally” killed just before his execution, a reporter smells something fishy…

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Murder in the Big House yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Murder in the Big House (1942)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Murder in the Big House (1942). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Big House Prison, Morning News Office

The film concentrates its action in two settings: the Big House prison where the electric chair looms and the Death House, and the bustling Morning News office that drives the investigation. The prison scene emphasizes confinement, security, and the mechanics of execution, while the newsroom highlights deadlines, rivalry, and the race to publish the truth. A stormy night threads through both locations, heightening tension as the corrupt scheme unfolds and the reporters chase a story with real-world consequences.

🏛️ Prison 🗞️ Newsroom ⛈️ Stormy Night

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:07

Main Characters – Murder in the Big House (1942)

Meet the key characters of Murder in the Big House (1942), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Scoop Conner (George Meeker)

Top investigative reporter for the Morning News who chases Malloy's story, only to fall into a drink-soaked stumble. He is driven by a need to expose corruption, even as he wrestles with personal flaws that threaten the investigation.

🕵️‍♂️ Investigative 🗞️ Reporter 🥃 Flawed

Bert Bell (Van Johnson)

A young, ambitious reporter eager for a major assignment. He partners with Gladys to pursue the case, balancing optimism with street-smarts as danger closes in.

🚀 Ambitious 🗞️ Reporter ⚡ Quick-thinking

Gladys Wayne (Faye Emerson)

A quick-witted ally who supports Bert and drives the investigation when Scoop is sidelined. She brings resourcefulness and persistence to reveal the truth.

💡 Resourceful 🗣️ Assertive 🎯 Proactive

Jim Ainslee (Joseph Crehan)

Chief editor of the Morning News, he balances newsroom pressure with a grasp of political realities, driving the pursuit of the story.

🗞️ Editor 🧭 Pragmatic 🕵️‍♂️ Cautious

Dapper Dan Malloy (Tod Andrews)

Death row inmate who plans to incriminate officials to avoid execution, manipulating the system to secure his own interests.

🕵️‍♂️ Convict 🎭 Villain 🧠 Cunning

Mile-Away Gordon (Roland Drew)

Malloy's criminal associate who becomes a key target in the investigation as the corrupt plot unravels.

🏛️ Official ⚖️ Crime Boss

Warden Bevins (William Gould)

The corrupt prison warden who tries to cover up the murder and manipulate the execution process until his fall.

🏛️ Warden ⚡ Powerful 🗝️ Corrupt

Burgen (Douglas Wood)

A lawyer tied to the corrupt clique, scheming to use legal mechanisms and pardons to protect the guilty.

⚖️ Lawyer 💼 Corrupt

Irene Gordon (Ruth Ford)

Gordon's wife who questions the pardon scheme and becomes a potential witness that ties together the conspiracy.

👩‍❤️‍👨 Wife 🧠 Suspicious

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:07

Major Themes – Murder in the Big House (1942)

Explore the central themes of Murder in the Big House (1942), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💰 Corruption

The plot revolves around a network of corrupt officials, including a lawyer, a governor, and others who manipulate the justice system to hide crimes. Malloy and Gordon are silenced to preserve the clique, and the film exposes how power can corrupt processes and cover up murders. The 'pardon' scheme is a central mechanism by which truth is delayed or destroyed. Justice ultimately hinges on fearless reporting that unmasks the rot at the top.

📰 Media vs. Malfeasance

Journalists Scoop and Bert Bell push to get incriminating information from Malloy, while Gladys Wayne steps in when Scoop is sidelined. The newsroom becomes a battlefield where ethical reporting clashes with political pressure and fear. The film portrays journalism as a force for accountability, capable of unraveling complex conspiracies. The climax relies on evidence gathered under deadline pressure to topple a corrupt regime.

⚖️ Justice and Consequences

The electric chair and the threat of execution frame the moral stakes, showing how far officials will go to silence dissent. The mechanism of murder—via electrified headphones—reveals how technology and power can be misused to kill. Confrontations with Warden Bevins expose the complicity of law-and-order figures. In the end, truth is revealed and the corrupt are forced to face consequences.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:07

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Murder in the Big House

Don't stop at just watching — explore Murder in the Big House in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Murder in the Big House is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Murder in the Big House Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Murder in the Big House, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Murder in the Big House Summary

Murder in the Big House Timeline

Track the full timeline of Murder in the Big House with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Murder in the Big House Timeline

More About Murder in the Big House

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Murder in the Big House: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Murder in the Big House

Similar Movies to Murder in the Big House

Discover movies like Murder in the Big House that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.