Unchained (1955)

A convict in a medium-security prison is torn between his need to finish his sentence and get back to his wife and family, and his desire to escape the confines of prison.

Director:

Hall Bartlett

Writers:

Hall Bartlett, Kenyon J. Scudder (book)

Stars:

Elroy 'Crazylegs' Hirsch, Barbara Hale, Chester Morris

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Elroy 'Crazylegs' Hirsch	...	Steve Davitt (as Elroy Hirsch)
Barbara Hale	...	Mary Davitt
Chester Morris	...	Kenyon J. Scudder
Todd Duncan	...	Bill Howard
Johnny Johnston	...	Eddie Garrity
Peggy Knudsen	...	Elaine
Jerry Paris	...	Joe Ravens
John Qualen	...	Leonard Haskins
Tim Considine	...	Win Davitt

Storyline

A convict in a medium-security prison is torn between his need to finish his sentence and get back to his wife and family, and his desire to escape the confines of prison.

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Plot Keywords:

prison | women's prison | based on book

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Taglines:

You can lock them in "The Hole"...put them on bread and water...use the bull-whip and the black-jack...but they're still men...with a man's longings! THE STORY OF CHINO PRISON, CALIFORNIA WHICH DID SOMETHING ABOUT IT...TOLD HOW IT HAPPENED...WHERE IT HAPPENED!

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Genres:

Drama | Crime

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 January 1956 (Finland)

Also Known As:

Escape - Die Flucht

Filming Locations:

California Institution for Men - 14901 Central Avenue, Chino, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hall Bartlett Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

75 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The song "Unchained Melody" popularized by Al Hibbler and Roy Hamilton in 1955, the year of the film ,and later by Vito and The Salutations as well as The Righteous Brothers in the mid 1960s, first surfaced on the soundtrack of this movie as composed by Alex North.

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Soundtracks

"Oh Love That Will Not Let Me Go"
(uncredited)
Music by Albert L. Peace
Lyrics by George Matheson

User Reviews

UNCHAINED (1955) A movie I haven't forgotten after all these years.

At the time, the movie wasn't hyped as big box office. It was a low budget endeavor. The ability of the actor(s) to pass on the frustration of the prison was well done. The prisoner singing about the "Green green grass of home" (A song from the movie that has had repeated come-backs.) indicated his fear and frustration of never again seeing the green grass of home, being relegated to the concrete of prison.

When I hear the theme song, "Unchained", I always think about the movie. I wonder if I saw it today, would I be as impressed as I was when my wife and I first saw it when it was first released. I have been unable to find a video copy of it, so I assume it wasn't rated highly enough at the time to make it to video? It does seem strange that a movie with such popular songs and good acting, wouldn't be available, but maybe a testament of the time. If that's true, it's a real shame, as I feel it might be as appropriate today as when it was produced. But, I'd like to view it again to see how my reaction today would compare to my original. I would appreciate knowing if it is available and if so, where?