The Great O'Malley
“A Tale of a Heartless Policeman”
Synopsis
Officer James O'Malley, a true believer in law and order, treats even the smallest offenses with the utmost seriousness. But O'Malley brings bad publicity to the force when his pigheaded ethics become the subject of a scathing news story, and he's subsequently relegated to traffic cop. While on the beat, he tickets impoverished family man John Phillips, unaware that his stubbornness will set off a series of devastating events for Phillips.
Top Cast
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Pat O'Brien
James Aloysius 'Jim' / 'Jimmy' O'Malley
Sybil Jason
Barbara 'Babs' Phillips
Humphrey Bogart
John Philips
Ann Sheridan
Judy Nolan
Frieda Inescort
Mrs. Philips
Donald Crisp
Police Captain Cromwell
Henry O'Neill
Defense Attorney
Craig Reynolds
Motorist Honking Horn
Hobart Cavanaugh
Reporter Pinky Holden
Gordon Hart
Doctor Attending O'Malley
Mary Gordon
Mrs. O'Malley
Mabel Colcord
Mrs. Flaherty
Frank Sheridan
Father Patrick
Lillian Harmer
Miss Taylor
Delmar Watson
Tubby
Frank Reicher
Dr. Larson
Joseph Allen Sr.
Warden (uncredited)
Granville Bates
Jake - Bar Proprietor (uncredited)
Release History & Theatrical Window
Indianapolis, Indiana
Festival / Special Debut
February 13, 1937
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- William Dieterle
- Screenplay & Story
- Milton Krims, Tom Reed
- Original Title
- The Great O'Malley
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 11m
- Production Studios
- Warner Bros. Pictures
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
William Dieterle
Milton Krims, Tom Reed
Department Leadership Roster
William Dieterle
Director
Milton Krims
Screenplay
Tom Reed
Screenplay
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
NR: Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Great O'Malley.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring The Great O'Malley.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Great O'Malley
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Great O'Malley about?
Officer James O'Malley, a true believer in law and order, treats even the smallest offenses with the utmost seriousness. But O'Malley brings bad publicity to the force when his pigheaded ethics become the subject of a scathing news story, and he's subsequently relegated to traffic cop. While on the beat, he tickets impoverished family man John Phillips, unaware that his stubbornness will set off a series of devastating events for Phillips.
Who directed The Great O'Malley?
The Great O'Malley was directed by William Dieterle.
Who stars in The Great O'Malley?
The principal cast of The Great O'Malley includes Pat O'Brien, Sybil Jason, Humphrey Bogart, Ann Sheridan, Frieda Inescort.
When was The Great O'Malley released and how long is it?
The Great O'Malley was released in 1937 with a total runtime of 1h 11m.
What is the age rating and content advisory for The Great O'Malley?
The Great O'Malley holds official age classifications: US: NR (Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.).