The film that brings up the rear in a procession of type pictures is sure to be at a disadvantage, whether it be of the gangster, or convict genre. When all the cards have been played, there is little novelty to be gained by reshuffling. Only rarely can a film like "Hell's Angels" cap all that has gone before.

"Ladies of the Big House" is meant as a prison film to end prison films, the definitive edition of convict sages. It is adequately enough constructed, and well provided with dramatic suspense. But there is nothing new about it. A corrupt city government precipitates two innocent youngsters into prison, the girl to be held for life, the boy to be hanged. There are borrowing days of suspense while the two look "for evidence to clear them. There are prison walls in Hollywood's best decor. Shadows of the gallows darken the screen, as the lovers say their rather affecting farewells and no negro stone-crusher bursts out into "Deep River," as this reviewer feared.

Miss Sidney is distinctly appealing. A certain unassuming genuineness and a smile that begins at the eyes and spreads down all help to atone for the vacuity of her help to alone for the vacuity of her blond, fashion-plate lover, Mr. Gene Raymond. Miss Sydney is one actress whom Hollywood does not miscast. She is given the parts she does best, parts in mental positions which permit her to look up adoringly and a little abjectly to the men of her heart.

If you still like to see prison-gates clang and hear prison-horns howl in the night, the film will probably entertain you.