Seven Miles from Alcatraz (1942)

After Pearl Harbor, convicts at Alcatraz prison live in fear of bomb attacks, driving Champ Larkin and his pal Jimbo to a desperate escape attempt which lands them on a tiny lighthouse ... See full summary »

Director:

Edward Dmytryk

Writers:

John D. Klorer (story), Joseph Krumgold (screenplay)

Stars:

James Craig, Bonita Granville, Frank Jenks

Cast

Complete credited cast:
James Craig	...	Champ Larkin
Bonita Granville	...	Anne Porter
Frank Jenks	...	Jimbo
Cliff Edwards	...	Stormy
George Cleveland	...	Captain Porter
Erford Gage	...	Paul Brenner
Tala Birell	...	Baroness
John Banner	...	Fritz Weinermann
Otto Reichow	...	Max

Storyline

After Pearl Harbor, convicts at Alcatraz prison live in fear of bomb attacks, driving Champ Larkin and his pal Jimbo to a desperate escape attempt which lands them on a tiny lighthouse island, where they take over. The five inhabitants are stymied in their efforts to summon aid. But the island also figures in the schemes of a big Nazi spy ring; which will win out, the gangsters' greed or their patriotism?

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Plot Keywords:

prison | lighthouse | patriotism | nazi | spy | 

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Taglines:

You gotta admit; it's a pretty piece of masonry, that Alcatraz. But it never was a choice spot for a vacation.

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Genres:

Action | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English German

Release Date:

8 January 1943 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Sete Milhas do Inferno

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

62 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The name on the crate the escapees were clinging to in San Francisco Bay is "H. Schlom". Herman Schlom is the film's producer.

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Goofs

The film shows the prison industries at Alcatraz shutting down due to supply shortages caused by the war. In reality, all of Alcatraz's industries were busier than ever during wartime. Most of their production was geared towards helping the war effort. Alcatraz's shops produced items like scrambling nets to be used during amphibious assaults, rubber mats for the sides of ships, etc. And, the prison's laundry services was the place local Army and Navy bases sent their soiled items. Alcatraz even received a citation for the contribution to the war effort it provided. (The convicts were actually enthusiastic workers as they were completely behind the war effort. There were even reports that when Navy ships passed close to the island, convicts in the exercise yard would cheer at the ships.)

User Reviews

Interesting Film

Liked the title to this film because of the fact I like stories that have something to do with Alcatraz the "Rock" and this was a great film from 1942 concerning some convicts who manage to escape from the prison. These convicts escape to a light house island with several civilians, a few men and one woman named Ann Porter, (Bonita Granville) and Champ Larkin, (James Craig). These convicts do not realize that they have found themselves in a very difficult situation at this lighthouse and are not fully aware that World War II is going on and that Nazi forces are trying to invade San Francisco by submarine. There is secret messages being transmitted by Morse Code back and forth to the enemy sub and these convicts begin to find out just what is happening to them and the other civilians. This is a good Classic 1942 film with great direction and a very excellent story. Enjoy.