A Criminal Is Born poster
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A Criminal Is Born

7.4193821mMovieCrimeDrama

An entry in MGM's Crime Does Not Pay series, this short tells the true story of how a young man, ignored by his parents, gets into a gang and starts a crime spree which leads to murder.

DirectorLeslie Fenton
ProducerJack Chertok

Where to watch

TCMTCM
Availability shown for United States · rights vary by country

Cast · Directed by Leslie Fenton

GBGeorge P. Breakston
George P. Breakston
Henry
DDDavid Durand
David Durand
Rodney 'Rod'
NJ
Norman Phillips Jr.
Tom
WM
Warren McCollum
Jimmy Wheeler
JCJoseph Crehan
Joseph Crehan
Frank Wheeler
DVDorothy Vaughan
Dorothy Vaughan
Martha Wheeler
EWEddy Waller
Eddy Waller
Cafe Owner Joe
BTBen Taggart
Ben Taggart
First Shooting Victim
HSHarry Strang
Harry Strang
Cop
HBHarry C. Bradley
Harry C. Bradley
Druggist (uncredited)
ECEddy Chandler
Eddy Chandler
Rod's Father (uncredited)
WSWilliam Stack
William Stack
Judge Charles Edwin Marshall (uncredited)

More from George P. Breakston · Lead actor

The Grapes of Wrath
The Grapes of Wrath
1940 · 7.8
It Happened One Night
It Happened One Night
1934 · 7.8
Jesse James
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1939 · 6.5
A Midsummer Night's Dream
A Midsummer Night's Dream
1935 · 6.4
The Dark Angel
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1935 · 6.2
Andy Hardy Meets Debutante
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1940 · 5.7
Great Expectations
Great Expectations
1934 · 7.0
Love Finds Andy Hardy
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1938 · 6.2
Second Wife
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1936 · 7.0
Swanee River
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1939 · 7.0
See all fromGeorge P. Breakston

More from David Durand · Co-star actor

The Ghost Breakers
The Ghost Breakers
1940 · 6.5
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo
1937 · 5.5
Boys' Reformatory
Boys' Reformatory
1939 · 5.3
The Bad Sister
The Bad Sister
1931 · 5.6
Follow the Leader
Follow the Leader
1944 · 3.8
Million Dollar Kid
Million Dollar Kid
1944 · 5.9
Get Your Man
Get Your Man
1927 · 6.4
Silver Dollar
Silver Dollar
1932 · 6.2
Keep 'Em Slugging
Keep 'Em Slugging
1943 · 5.8
Little Men
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1934 · 5.7
See all fromDavid Durand

More from Leslie Fenton · Director

Lulu Belle
Lulu Belle
1948 · 5.0
Streets of Laredo
Streets of Laredo
1949 · 6.0
Whispering Smith
Whispering Smith
1948 · 6.7
The Redhead and the Cowboy
The Redhead and the Cowboy
1951 · 5.4
Pardon My Past
Pardon My Past
1945 · 6.7
On Our Merry Way
On Our Merry Way
1948 · 5.7
The Golden Fleecing
The Golden Fleecing
1940 · 5.9
Saigon
Saigon
1947 · 6.0
The Saint's Vacation
The Saint's Vacation
1941 · 5.8
Tomorrow, the World!
Tomorrow, the World!
1944 · 8.1
See all fromLeslie Fenton

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A Criminal Is Born — streaming FAQ

Which OTT platform streams A Criminal Is Born?

A Criminal Is Born is streaming on TCM in United States. It's not currently on Netflix.

Is A Criminal Is Born on Netflix?

No, A Criminal Is Born is not on Netflix in United States as of September 2026. It's currently on TCM.

Is A Criminal Is Born on Amazon Prime Video?

No, A Criminal Is Born isn't on Amazon Prime Video in United States right now. It's on TCM instead.

Where can I watch A Criminal Is Born for free?

A Criminal Is Born is available on TCM in United States, but you'll need an active subscription — there's no free option right now.