Synanon (1965)

Director:

Richard Quine

Writers:

Ian Bernard, Barry Oringer (story),

Stars:

Edmond O'Brien, Chuck Connors, Stella Stevens

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Edmond O'Brien	...	Chuck Dederich
Chuck Connors	...	Ben
Stella Stevens	...	Joaney Adamic
Alex Cord	...	Zankie Albo
Richard Conte	...	Reid Kimble
Eartha Kitt	...	Betty Coleman
BarBara Luna	...	Mary (as Barbara Luna)
Alejandro Rey	...	Chris
Richard Evans	...	Hopper
Gregory Morton	...	Vince
Chanin Hale	...	Arline
Casey Townsend	...	Pruddy
Larry Kert	...	Bob Adamic
Bernie Hamilton	...	Pete
Mark Sturges	...	Joe Mann

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

one word title | bare chested male | drug addiction | drug rehabilitation

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Taglines:

Life Magazine Calls Synanon House "A Tunnel Back Into The Human Race!"

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 May 1965 (USA)

Also Known As:

Get Off My Back

Filming Locations:

Santa Monica, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Did You Know?

Trivia

Original advertising art featured a sketch of Alex Cord's character plunging a syringe into his arm - but the needle was covered by a black censorship block when the image was distributed as newspaper ads, poster art and as cover art of the soundtrack album.

User Reviews

Too much gloss and not enough grit...still a worthwhile drama, with good performances

Dramatization of real-life Synanon House, a Santa Monica-based rehabilitation center for hardcore drug addicts (many of them recent parolees). Heroin-user Alex Cord butts heads with former prison adversary Chuck Conners, while Stella Stevens sorts out relations with her ex-husband and struggles to stay off the streets. A bit glamorous in its depiction of life in the gutter, perhaps due to the kicky fashions and the ocean-front locale, though director Richard Quine is quick to underline the narrative with bitterness and regret. Not as moving as it should have been, but still quite potent. Harry Stradling Jr.'s black-and-white cinematography is excellent, as is Neal Hefti's jazzy score. **1/2 from ****