John Garfield is a boxer, who after a big win gets drunk. Rotten Tomatoes, home of the Tomatometer, is the most trusted measurement of quality for Movies & TV. Only, he's not supposed to drink. This film is based on a book from Bertram Millhauser who maybe more famous for his Sherlock Holmes… Johnnie is a boxer. They Made Me a Criminal Photos View All Photos (2) Movie Info. Celebrating a ring victory in a jammed locker room, boxer Johnnie Bradfield emotes about his love of mom, rejection of booze and clean living style to fans, including cops, who eat it up. Overview of They Made Me a Criminal, 1939, directed by Busby Berkeley, with John Garfield, Claude Rains, Gloria Dickson, at Turner Classic Movies Discard changes & exit Keep writing. The Boxer's manager hits the reporter over the head with a wine bottle, killing him. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for They Made Me A Criminal at Amazon.com. The definitive site for Reviews, Trailers, Showtimes, and Tickets ***SPOILERS*** Even though the movie "They Made Me A Criminal" is nowhere as good as the later John Garfield anti-hero classics like "Body & Soul" in 1947 "Force of Evil" in 1948 and his last and very underrated "He Ran All The Way" in 1951 it's the film that defined his career from that point onward until his untimely death on May 21, 1952 at the young age of 39. Directed by: Busby Berkeley Actors: John Garfield, Claude Rains, The Dead End Kids Production Company: Warner Bros. Release Date: 28 January 1939 (USA) Aspect Ratio: 1.37 : 1. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. He supposed to love his mother, but he hasn't got one. This film was made in 1939, a year or two before some consider the film noir movement started. They Made Me a Criminal may not be considered a film noir by some because of its production date. They won't be able to see your review if you only submit your rating. A reporter finds this out and is going to expose him, so he tries to slug the reporter only to fall on a table and knock himself out. Title: They Made Me a Criminal Summary: A boxer flees believing he has comitted a murder while he was drunk. The young John Garfield turned in a fine performance in the 1939 "They Made Me a Criminal."