You Can’t Get Away with Murder

You Can’t Get Away with Murder

Year: 1939

Runtime: 89 mins

Language: English

Director: Lewis Seiler

CrimeDrama

A hard‑boiled crime drama follows Johnnie, taught the underworld trade by petty thug Frank Wilson. When Wilson murders a pawnbroker with a gun stolen from Johnnie’s sister Madge’s fiancé, Fred Burke, Burke is sentenced to Sing Sing’s death house. Wilson then pressures Johnnie to stay silent, even after both end up locked in the same penitentiary.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – You Can’t Get Away with Murder (1939)

Trace every key event in You Can’t Get Away with Murder (1939) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Johnny meets Frank and forms partnership

In Hell's Kitchen, Johnny Stone ignores his sister's warning and teams up with mobster Frank Wilson. The unlikely alliance marks the start of their criminal scheme and a dangerous new bond. This partnership sets the stage for a spree of robberies and escalating violence.

Hell's Kitchen, New York
2

Car theft and gas station robbery

Johnny and Frank steal a car and then hold up a gas station. The thrill of crime quickly spirals into a pattern of violence as they rely on bold moves and reckless nerves. Their actions cement their risky collaboration and the path toward bigger crimes.

Gas station, New York
3

Gun borrowed and given to Frank for pawnshop robbery

Johnny takes a gun belonging to Fred Burke, his sister Madge's fiancé, and passes it to Frank for use in a pawnshop robbery. The gun loan links Fred to the crime by proxy and raises the stakes for everyone involved. The plan hinges on a quick, clean exchange that could go wrong at any moment.

Pawnshop robbery site, New York
4

Pawnshop owner resists; Frank kills him; gun left at scene

The pawnshop owner resists the robbery and sounds an alarm. Frank shoots him and leaves the gun at the scene, creating a crucial piece of misdirection. Johnny hopes to return the gun to Fred's room, but the opportunity is lost.

Pawnshop, New York
5

Gun found; Fred's alibi collapses; Fred arrested and convicted

When investigators locate the gun at the pawnshop, Fred Burke's alibi collapses and he is arrested for murder. The charge is intensified by the supposed connection to his fiancé's gun. The case seals his fate despite his innocence.

New York (police/court)
6

Frank and Johnny arrested for gas station robbery and sent to Sing Sing

Based on fingerprint evidence from the gas-station robbery, Frank and Johnny are arrested and convicted. The trio is imprisoned at Sing Sing, moving from street crime to the brutal world of the prison system. Their sentence compounds their guilt and complicates any chance of escape.

Sing Sing Prison (Ossining, NY)
7

Johnny's moral conflict over Fred's execution

Johnny, who is not as hard as Frank, is tormented by Fred Burke's impending execution. The looming punishment deepens his internal conflict and strains his relationships with others on the inside. He worries whether he will ever be able to tell the truth.

Sing Sing Prison
8

Frank urges Johnny to maintain a dumb act

Frank reminds Johnny to keep playing dumb to avoid confession. The pressure to protect each other strengthens their bond and increases the danger of the situation. The fear of execution fuels their silence.

Sing Sing Prison
9

Johnny is transferred to the prison library by Pop

Pop, a mild-mannered older convict, requests Johnny be moved from the shoe factory to the prison library. This change brings Johnny into a quieter life but also exposes him to new temptations and moral guidance. Pop acts as a moral compass as he tries to pull Johnny toward the truth.

Sing Sing Prison library
10

Fred's lawyer Carey suspects Johnny's guilt but lacks evidence

Carey, Fred's lawyer, deduces that Johnny was the one who took Fred's gun and that it was used in the murder. However, without solid evidence or a legal way to halt the execution, his insight remains unproven. The case remains unresolved on the legal front, fueling the tension.

Courtroom / Sing Sing
11

Day of Fred's execution; jailbreak begins

On the scheduled day of Fred Burke's execution, Frank and Johnny stage a jailbreak. The escape creates a brief window for Johnny to reveal the truth and for the confrontation with fate to unfold. The plan becomes a test of loyalty and truth under extreme pressure.

day of Fred's execution Sing Sing Prison
12

Johnny writes a confession and leaves it for Pop

During the jailbreak, Johnny writes a confession stating he stole the gun and Frank did the shooting, and he leaves it for Pop to find after the breakout. The act signals Johnny's transformation and willingness to face consequences. It also jeopardizes the chances of a clean getaway.

Sing Sing Prison
13

Frank steals the confession and plans to kill Johnny

Frank spots Johnny's written confession and grabs it, deciding to kill Johnny to keep the secret. The tension between them escalates as the truth edges closer to exposure. The prison break gives Frank a brutal opportunity to assert control.

Sing Sing Prison
14

Jailbreak ends in a boxcar; Frank shoots Johnny and surrenders

The jailbreak ends with the pair trapped in a railroad boxcar, surrounded by guards. Frank shoots Johnny and places the gun next to him before surrendering, claiming he was unarmed. This brutal act marks a chilling moment of betrayal and survival.

Railroad boxcar near Sing Sing
15

Johnny survives long enough to tell the truth; Fred's name cleared; Frank implicated

Mortally wounded, Johnny survives long enough to tell the truth, implicating Frank in both murders and clearing Fred Burke's name. The truth comes at a cost, exposing a complex web of loyalty and deceit. Fred's innocence is finally acknowledged as justice in a grim saga concludes.

Hospital / prison hospital

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 10:44

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