Helen Mack was a striking brunette (a poor man's Frances Dee) who began in films while still a child. "Son of Kong" (1933) should have made her a star but she always seemed to be overshadowed by more vibrant actresses - even Baby Le Roy had top billing in "The Lemon Drop Kid" (1934)!!!! "The Wrong Road" was made toward the end of her career and did feel like a feature from MGM's "Crime Does Not Pay" series.
This is an improbable story of two spoilt brats who are sick of working for peanuts ($25 a week) - they are both from once wealthy families and think that the world owes them a living!! Helen Mack, looking radiant, plays Ruth, who along with an impossibly boyish Richard Cromwell (that served him well in "Baby Face Morgan" (1942)) as Jimmy, decide to steal $100,000 from the bank where they are employed. They hope to confess, serve time in jail and when they are released the money will be theirs!!
Mr Roberts (Lionel Atwill), a private investigator, who is more like a very kind uncle, tries to get them to see the error of their ways - but no go!!! They go to prison but Roberts works with the board of governors to get them released early - on the provision that they don't marry!! He hopes not only to create friction between them but that they will quickly lead him to the money. While in prison Jimmy tells a cellmate, Blackie, where he has hidden the money. They have hidden the money in a music box and sent it to an uncle who has an antique shop. When they get out of prison they find "Uncle Billy" has died and his effects are being auctioned. They lose a bidding battle for the music box and before they can catch up with it, it is on it's way to Sunnydale. Blackie is also out and always one step ahead of them.
Jimmy and Ruth's relationship has changed. Prison has hardened them and they are constantly fighting. Jimmy's main obsession is the money but Ruth now wants a normal law abiding life. They get to Sunnydale and find the people that have the music box are the policeman and his wife (Marjorie Main). They both do a lot of soul searching and after the dramatic climax vow to Roberts that from now on they will earn their happiness.
Recommended.
This is an improbable story of two spoilt brats who are sick of working for peanuts ($25 a week) - they are both from once wealthy families and think that the world owes them a living!! Helen Mack, looking radiant, plays Ruth, who along with an impossibly boyish Richard Cromwell (that served him well in "Baby Face Morgan" (1942)) as Jimmy, decide to steal $100,000 from the bank where they are employed. They hope to confess, serve time in jail and when they are released the money will be theirs!!
Mr Roberts (Lionel Atwill), a private investigator, who is more like a very kind uncle, tries to get them to see the error of their ways - but no go!!! They go to prison but Roberts works with the board of governors to get them released early - on the provision that they don't marry!! He hopes not only to create friction between them but that they will quickly lead him to the money. While in prison Jimmy tells a cellmate, Blackie, where he has hidden the money. They have hidden the money in a music box and sent it to an uncle who has an antique shop. When they get out of prison they find "Uncle Billy" has died and his effects are being auctioned. They lose a bidding battle for the music box and before they can catch up with it, it is on it's way to Sunnydale. Blackie is also out and always one step ahead of them.
Jimmy and Ruth's relationship has changed. Prison has hardened them and they are constantly fighting. Jimmy's main obsession is the money but Ruth now wants a normal law abiding life. They get to Sunnydale and find the people that have the music box are the policeman and his wife (Marjorie Main). They both do a lot of soul searching and after the dramatic climax vow to Roberts that from now on they will earn their happiness.
Recommended.