The Bread Peddler (1934 film)

The Bread Peddler is a 1934 American pre-Code drama film directed by William Beaudine. The film is based on the novel Le pain maudit (The Accursed Bread) by Xavier de Montépin, which had been adapted for the screen several times previously.

The story concerns Jacques Rolland, a humble bread peddler who is wrongly accused of murder. He escapes prison and lives under an assumed identity, eventually becoming a successful businessman. Despite his success, he continues to be haunted by the past and the injustice he suffered. He dedicates his life to clearing his name and finding the real murderer.

The film stars Frankie Darro as Jacques Rolland (as a young man), and William Janney as Jacques Rolland (as an adult). The cast also includes Marion Shilling, Richard Alexander, and Dorothy Revier. The film is notable for its dramatic storyline and its exploration of themes of injustice, redemption, and the long-lasting consequences of wrongful accusations. The Bread Peddler is considered a relatively obscure film today, but it offers a glimpse into the social and moral concerns of the pre-Code era in Hollywood.