WILL HAYS CONVICT 99

Cinemavixion Review

Marcel Varnel's "Will Hays Convict 99" presents a rather peculiar premise, where the esteemed comedian Will Hay finds himself inadvertently incarcerated. Hay, playing a disgraced schoolmaster named Benjamin Twist, is mistakenly appointed as the governor of a maximum-security prison. The initial setup hinges on a comedic misunderstanding, with Twist celebrating his new appointment as a school, only to discover his own drunken misadventure has landed him behind bars. Once inside, Twist adopts a surprisingly lenient approach, attempting to endear himself to the inmates by overlooking their illicit activities. While the film's narrative trajectory promises a satirical look at authority and its subversion, the execution, relying heavily on Hay's signature comedic style, may lean more towards farce than profound social commentary. It's a curious piece from 1938, offering a glimpse into the comedic sensibilities of its era.