They Drive by Night
Seen it?1940 | 95 min | Drama, Crime, Thriller
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (93% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime-drama fans and anyone who likes to be kept guessing. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Tense, dark and gritty.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 35 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1940: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Joe and Paul Fabrini are Wildcat, or independent, truck drivers who have their own small one-truck business. The Fabrini boys constantly battle distributors, rivals and loan collectors, while trying to make a success of their transport company.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
93% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
6.9 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$2 million worldwide on a $539K budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 26K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Raoul Walsh
- George RaftJoe Fabrini
- Ann SheridanCassie Hartley
- Ida LupinoLana Carlsen
- Humphrey BogartPaul Fabrini
- Gale PagePearl Fabrini
- Alan HaleEd Carlsen
- Roscoe KarnsIrish McGurn
- Joyce ComptonSue Carter (uncredited)
- John LitelHarry McNamara
- George TobiasGeorge Rondolos