Watch Up the River

Up the River is a 1930 American pre-Code comedy-drama film directed by John Ford and starring Spencer Tracy, Claire Luce, and Warren Hymer. It was based on the 1928 play of the same name by William Collier Sr. and songwriter/actor Joseph Schenck.
The film opens in a prison where two young convicts, St. Louis (Spencer Tracy) and Dan (Warren Hymer), devise a plan to escape. They successfully flee the prison while injuring the guard left in charge of them. During their escape, they steal a car belonging to a judge's wife, and later they meet up with another ex-convict, Steve (Humphrey Bogart in his first credited role), who becomes a part of their group.
The trio ends up being pursued by the police, and they come across a boat that is heading up the river to a new prison. While on the boat, they meet up with another dishonest inmate, Frosby (William Collier Jr.), who has a plan to steal money from wealthy guest Mrs. McKay (Claire Luce) while she is on board the boat.
St. Louis is hesitant to go along with the plan; however, he finally agrees when he becomes smitten with Mrs. McKay. The group successfully steals the money, but they are soon caught by the authorities. Frosby takes the blame for the robbery and tells St. Louis to make a break for it, but St. Louis decides to stay and serve out the rest of his sentence.
Before being returned to prison, St. Louis makes a lasting impression on Mrs. McKay, and they agree to meet up after he is released. The film ends with St. Louis being led back to prison, but this time with a smile on his face.
Throughout the film, there is a strong theme of redemption. While the characters are criminals, they are portrayed sympathetically, and the audience is encouraged to root for their success. Spencer Tracy's performance as St. Louis is particularly noteworthy, as he brings a depth and nuance to the character that is not present in the other actors. He is charming, witty, and conflicted, and he makes St. Louis a character that the audience can connect with and care about.
The chemistry between Tracy and Claire Luce is also a highlight of the film. Their scenes together are filled with humor and romance, and they create a believable and engaging relationship.
Up the River is an early example of John Ford's talents as a director. While the film is not as polished as some of his later works, such as The Grapes of Wrath or The Searchers, it is still a well-crafted and entertaining film. Ford is able to create a sense of camaraderie between the characters, and he infuses the film with humor and heart.
Overall, Up the River is a charming and engaging film that is well worth watching. While it may not be as well-known as some of the other films from its era, it deserves to be remembered as a solid entry in the pre-Code era of Hollywood.

Up the River is a 1930 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9.