Alibi (1929) 480p Chester Morris | Director: Roland West

Action | Crime | Romance | Pre-Code | USA | B&W | 83min | Director: Roland West Cast: Chester Morris, Harry Stubbs, Mae Busch, Eleanor Griffith, Regis Toomey, Purnell Pratt, Irma Harrison Chester Morris portrays a ruthless gangster who must establish an alibi after pulling off a warehouse robbery. Regis Toomey and Pat O'Malley are the detectives assigned to get the goods on him. Chick Williams (Chester Morris), a prohibition gangster, rejoins his mob soon after being released from prison. When a policeman is murdered during a robbery, he falls under suspicion. Director Roland West was a moody and mysterious Hollywood character, who insisted upon making his pictures in utter secrecy and filming only at night. This may explain the overall foreboding atmosphere of Alibi, West's first talking picture. Nominated for 3 Oscars: Best Picture, Best Art Direction and Best Actor in a Leading Role (Chester Morris). Alibi is an odd hybrid talkie from the awkward transition period of 1928-1929 when film made the mad dash from silent to sound. Originally conceived and partially filmed as a silent movie, Alibi was then reworked as a talkie. Sound was added to the scenes that were kept from the original silent footage.. and new 'talkie' scenes were filmed and edited in. The result is an almost surreal feel in many of the original 'silent' scenes.. whereas the newer 'talkie' scenes often seem rather flat and static by comparison. Based on the play 'Nightstick', written by John Wray, J.C. Nugent and Elaine Sterne.