The Big House (1930 Film)

The Big House (1930 film)

The Big House is a 1930 film starring Robert Montgomery, Wallace Beery and Chester Morris. It was directed by George W. Hill and written by Joseph Farnham, Martin Flavin, Frances Marion and Lennox Robinson.

Lon Chaney, Sr. was originally chosen for the role of Butch, a violent career criminal who rules the prison cellblock. Due to Chaney's death, this role went to Beery. The movie launched Beery's sound career to new heights; a top supporting actor in silents, he had been dropped by his studio when sound came in. After The Big House became a hit, and his performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role, he became the world's highest paid actor within two years.

Marion won the Academy Award for Best Writing Achievement. Douglas Shearer also won the first Academy Award for Sound. The film was nominated for Best Picture.