The Glass House (TV 1972)

A young guard and a college professor convicted of manslaughter both start their first day in prison.

Director:

Tom Gries

Writers:

Truman Capote (story), Wyatt Cooper (story),

Stars:

Vic Morrow, Alan Alda, Clu Gulager

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 2 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Vic Morrow	...	Hugo Slocum
Alan Alda	...	Jonathon Paige
Clu Gulager	...	Brian Courtland
Billy Dee Williams	...	Lennox
Kristoffer Tabori	...	Allan Campbell
Dean Jagger	...	Warden Auerbach
Scott Hylands	...	Ajax
Edward Bell	...	Sinclair
Roy Jenson	...	Officer Brown
Alan Vint	...	Bree
Luke Askew	...	Bibleback
Tony Mancini	...	Steve Berino

Storyline

Adapted from a story by Truman Capote ("In Cold Blood"), the world of the prison convict is open to the viewer. As the story develops, one thing becomes clear. As in the outside world, there is a "system"; and just as on the outside, there is accommodation, honesty, cynicism, violence and all the other factors that make up our society. Three new convicts act as the catalyst for the events that follow; a college teacher, convicted of accidental manslaughter; a young man, sentenced for possession of marijuana; a new guard, interested in changing the system. Inside prison, the 'establlishment' presents itself. The warden doesn't want to rock the boat of the small society within prison walls. A convict dictator controls activities among the inmates thanks to a control of the narcotics traffic. A leader of the black convicts seethes in his own world of racial tension when there is no difference between convicts and authorities. As the film follows the three newcomers, it records the grim, ...

---

Plot Keywords:

prison | manslaughter | professor | violence | accident | 

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 February 1972 (USA)

Also Known As:

Truman Capote's the Glass House

Filming Locations:

Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Tomorrow Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

Alan Alda on his autobiography "Never Have Your Dog Stuffed - and Other Things I've Learned" claims that this movie was shoot in real prison with real prisoners as extras. During the filming of the movie, its director Tom Gries made jokes with prisoners that they should take Alan Alda as their hostage because that is the only way they can escape from prison. On the last day of shooting, two prisoners approached Alda and put an improvised knife on his throat telling him that he is their hostage. Luckily prison guard arrived shortly after and carefully negotiated with prisoners to let Alan Alda go. They let him loose telling him that they were just joking. Alda also states that no prisoner was punished for the incident.

---

Goofs

There is a scene where the young man is asked to buy cigarettes. He finds out why and begins to argue with the other 2 cons about it. As they all 3 walk into the corridor at the the top left area of the screen, clearly the Mic is seen for about 2 seconds. The same thing happens again near the end of the film, when the guard is talking to the warden in his office.

User Reviews

A must-see masterpiece

I just saw this movie for the first time last night and think that it is absolutely BRILLIANT! It should have been given a theatrical release, as it is so far above par than most movies that I have seen.

Alan Alda gives a fantastic performance as Jonathan Page, a college professor convicted of manslaughter. Alda has amazing on-screen presence in this film, and his acting is top-notch. The ensemble cast is equally as good.

You can buy this movie on a budget DVD for around $3.00 and it is worth it! The picture quality is adequate, too.

Rent it, buy it, watch it!