Cell 2455 Death Row (1955)

User Rating:

6.5/10   

Director:

Fred F. Sears

Writers:

Caryl Chessman (book)
Jack DeWitt (writer)

Release Date:

19 April 1955 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Tagline:

Confession before the cameras by convicted "Lover's Lane" Bandit!

Plot:

Whit (William Campbell), condemned and awaiting execution, reviews the events of his life that has brought him to Cell 2455 on San Quentin's Death Row...

Plot Keywords:

Prison | Based On Book | Number In Title

Cast

William Campbell	...	Whit Whittier
R. Wright Campbell	...	Whit as a boy (as Robert Campbell)
Marian Carr	...	Doll
Kathryn Grant	...	Jo-Anne
Harvey Stephens	...	Warden
Vince Edwards	...	Hamilton
Allen Nourse	...	Serl Whittier
Diane DeLaire	...	Hallie Whittier
Bart Braverman	...	Whit, as a Young Boy (as Bart Bradley)
Paul Dubov	...	Al
Tyler MacDuff	...	Nugent
Buck Kartalian	...	Monk
Eleanor Audley	...	Blanche
Thom Carney	...	Hatcheck Charlie
Joseph Forte	...	Lawyer (as Joe Forte)

Also Known As:

Cell Block (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

77 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:(Banned) (1955-1956) | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

Despite being promoted as the true story of Caryl Chessman, on whose book it was based, ‘Cell 2455 Death Row’ names its lead character 'Whit Whittier' and carries the usual disclaimer during the title credits: "The characters and incidents portrayed and the names used herein are fictitious and any similarity to the name, character or history of any person is entirely accidental and unintentional".

Movie Connections:

Version of "Cela da Morte" (1958)

another incredible crazy-paced wonder

I am always amazed at how well hidden small jewels like Cell 2455 Death Row are. This is an important film, not only because it was based on the prison autobiography of Caryl Chessman, the notorious Red-Light Bandit who briefly haunted lovers lanes in post-war L.A but because he became the cause-celebre of the anti-death penalty movement. It's also a high-octane film that attempts to fairly portray the prison system of the day. William Campbell brings a measure of intelligence to the role of the condemned killer. We bear witness to his evolution as crook and (if you believe the crimes that led to the death sentence were his) sex fiend. All in all a snappy little effort.