Max-Out (1970)

This short film follows Melvin Rivers, an ex-con freshly released from prison, as he struggles to find a place to live, get a regular job, call in favors from friends, and in general, try ... See full summary »

Director:

Robert Kaylor

Writers:

Ken Jackson (story), Melvin Rivers (story)

Stars:

Melvin Rivers, Joe Rizzo, Sue Annett Ceruti

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Melvin Rivers	...	Melvin Rivers 22275
Joe Rizzo	...	The Lodger
Sue Annett Ceruti	...	Charles' Friend in Bar
Charles McGregor	...	Charles McGregor 356, Craps Organizer
Amy Macri	...	Ami Macri 300444
Ken Jackson	...	Ken Jackson 10029, Ami's Boyfriend
Isadore Zimmerman	...	Isadore Zimmerman 47985, the Employment Officer
Joe Senatore	...	Joe Senatore 17474, the Painter
Billy Dawn Smith	...	Craps player
Gerald Hardy	...	Craps player
Eddie Davis	...	Craps player
Joe Sanchez	...	Craps player
James Hayes	...	Craps player
Dick Greenfield	...	Colonial Inn scene
Robert Ipcar	...	Colonial Inn scene (as Bob Ipcar)

Storyline

This short film follows Melvin Rivers, an ex-con freshly released from prison, as he struggles to find a place to live, get a regular job, call in favors from friends, and in general, try to avoid slipping back into the criminal behavior that put him in jail.

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Plot Keywords:

quasi documentary | cigarette smoking | cinema verite | inmate | gay interest | 

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Genres:

Documentary

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 February 1970 (USA)

Also Known As:

Max Out

Filming Locations:

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

45 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was dedicated to David Rothenberg. Formerly a Broadway press agent, Rothenberg spent his own money to stage the controversial play 'Fortune and Men's Eyes', about prison abuse, and the influx of feedback and testimony from former prisoners moved by the play and film led to the founding of The Fortune Society, an organization devoted to helping former prisoners reintegrate into society. This film was inspired by the organization's mission.

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Crazy Credits

All the actors who possessed real-life criminal records are identified in the credits by both their name and their prison I.D. number.

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Connections

References Danger: Diabolik (1968)

User Reviews

Not Bad, Interesting

This short film is included on the DVD for the documentary film "Derby," about roller derby. (1971). The lead character is released from prison, and tries to find steady work. This proves to be a difficult task. This film was shot in black and white, with no script, totally add libbed. Shot in a cinema vertie style, it keeps the viewers attention. There is a bar scene that features Charles McGregor, who would later appear in "Superfly," and "Blazing Saddles" Most of the cast had criminal records, and their prison numbers are shown in the closing credits. This is definitely worth a look. I give this film three stars.