a special feeling for your sick children—in my case, 'They Live by Night' and 'All Fall Down'." Release Box office The film recorded a loss of $445,000. Critical response When the film was released, film critic Bosley Crowther gave the film a positive review, writing, "A commonplace little story about a young escaped convict 'on the lam' and his romance with a nice girl whom he picks up and marries is told with pictorial sincerity and uncommon emotional thrust in RKO's latest item, They Live by Night, at the Criterion. Although it—like others—is misguided in its sympathies for a youthful crook, this crime-and-compassion melodrama has the virtues of vigor and restraint ... They Live by Night has the failing of waxing sentimental over crime, but it manages to generate interest with its crisp dramatic movement and clear-cut types." Home media The film was issued on Blu-ray and DVD by the Criterion Collection in August 2017. References External links Collection of reviews on the film at Indiewire 2002 Article on film at Senses of Cinema They Live by Night: Dream Journey an essay by Bernard Eisenschitz at the Criterion Collection 1949 films 1949 directorial debut films 1940s crime drama films American black-and-white films American crime drama films 1940s English-language films Film noir Films about bank robbery Films based on American novels Films directed by Nicholas Ray Films scored by Leigh Harline Films shot in Los Angeles RKO Pictures films 1948 drama films 1948 films 1949 drama films 1940s American films