You Only Live Once

This film stands the test of time as the story of a man trying to become someone else and a woman's loss of faith in justice. Lang's comment on the difficulty of the romantic couple may stem from his former wife's transition to a Nazi, but the strong relationship between Eddie and Joan is both beautiful and disturbing. This film is meticulously shot, with perfect casting (who knew Henry Fonda was ever young?). It's always enjoyable to watch the old Hollywood movies with no blood, and very strange looking kisses.... Superb example of a Lang film and film noir. Worth watching on DVD for a quality restoration.

Director Fritz Lang helms this well mounted drama of a struggling couple. Henry Fonda is a petty crook attempting to reform when he is framed on a murder charge. He eventually breaks out of prison and tries to escape to Canada with his wife (Sylvia Sidney) only fate seems to be against them. A nice blend of drama and romance with Fonda and Sidney most impressive in the starring roles. The fine supporting cast includes William Gargan, Barton MacLane, Margaret Hamilton, and Ward Bond. Unfortunately this gem of 1937 is not available on video and is seldom shown on TV anymore.

One of Fritz Lang's greatest and grimmest films. He made "You Only Live Once" in 1937. not long after coming to America, and it remains one of the most searing indictments of that country ever put on film. The producer was Walter Wanger who was famous for his 'social conscience' movies and this story of a young criminal unable to go straight because of the way he is treated by society was as bleak as they come. From the beginning you know that the only way it can go is down and that here is a movie that won't have a happy ending. A young Henry Fonda is the criminal in question and Sylvia Sidney, the girl who sticks by him and they are both superb. Bleak, yes but also unforgettable.