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Duffy of San Quentin

  • 19541954
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 18m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
103
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Joanne Dru and Joe Turkel in Duffy of San Quentin (1954)
  • Action
  • Crime
  • Drama
A group of prisoners are planning an escape. They take hostages. Warden Duffy tries to convince one of the inmates that their plight is useless, and to give up.A group of prisoners are planning an escape. They take hostages. Warden Duffy tries to convince one of the inmates that their plight is useless, and to give up.A group of prisoners are planning an escape. They take hostages. Warden Duffy tries to convince one of the inmates that their plight is useless, and to give up.
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
103
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Walter Doniger
  • Writers
    • Walter Doniger(screenplay)
    • Berman Swarttz(story)
    • Clinton T. Duffy(based on book "The San Quentin Story")
  • Stars
    • Louis Hayward
    • Joanne Dru
    • Paul Kelly
Top credits
  • Director
    • Walter Doniger
  • Writers
    • Walter Doniger(screenplay)
    • Berman Swarttz(story)
    • Clinton T. Duffy(based on book "The San Quentin Story")
  • Stars
    • Louis Hayward
    • Joanne Dru
    • Paul Kelly
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 3User reviews
    • 5Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos

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    Top cast

    Edit
    Louis Hayward
    Louis Hayward
    • Edward 'Romeo' Harperas Edward 'Romeo' Harper
    Joanne Dru
    Joanne Dru
    • Anne Halseyas Anne Halsey
    Paul Kelly
    Paul Kelly
    • Warden Clinton T. Duffyas Warden Clinton T. Duffy
    Maureen O'Sullivan
    Maureen O'Sullivan
    • Gladys Duffyas Gladys Duffy
    George Macready
    George Macready
    • John C. Winantas John C. Winant
    Horace McMahon
    Horace McMahon
    • Piersonas Pierson
    Irving Bacon
    Irving Bacon
    • Doc Sorinas Doc Sorin
    Joel Fluellen
    • Bill Lakeas Bill Lake
    Joe Turkel
    Joe Turkel
    • Frank Robertsas Frank Roberts
    • (as Joseph Turkel)
    Jonathan Hale
    Jonathan Hale
    • Boydas Boyd
    Michael McHale
    Michael McHale
    • Pintoas Pinto
    Sandy Aaronson
    • Guardas Guard
    • (uncredited)
    George Barrows
    George Barrows
    • Convictas Convict
    • (uncredited)
    Marshall Bradford
    • Lowell - Convict in Hospital Wardas Lowell - Convict in Hospital Ward
    • (uncredited)
    Peter Brocco
    Peter Brocco
    • Nealyas Nealy
    • (uncredited)
    George Bruggeman
    George Bruggeman
    • Convictas Convict
    • (uncredited)
    James Conaty
    • Prison Board Memberas Prison Board Member
    • (uncredited)
    Rudy Germane
    • Convictas Convict
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Walter Doniger
    • Writers
      • Walter Doniger(screenplay) (story)
      • Berman Swarttz(story)
      • Clinton T. Duffy(based on book "The San Quentin Story")
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Utilizing unused out-takes from this film with Kelly and O'Sullivan and shooting new footage with other actors, the producers created a sequel, "The Steel Cage."
    • Connections
      Followed by The Steel Cage (1954)

    User reviews3

    Review
    Top review
    5/10
    An innovative warden
    Although it does drag in spots Duffy Of San Quentin is a fine account of the most famous person in his position during his time and possibly for all time. I'm actually in awe of the fact that he did not use any stool pigeons which law enforcement survives in.

    This is not actually the story of the story of Clinton P. Duffy, it is in fact the account of one particular inmate whose time at San Quentin is told through Duffy's eyes. Louis Hayward is that inmate and as we learn is in the joint because of perjured testimony and defense witnesses who disappeared.

    Hayward is a real hard case and who could blame him. Duffy is played by Paul Kelly and Kelly himself did a stretch for manslaughter so he had some true insights into convict mentality. Maureen O'Sullivan played the supportive Mrs. Duffy.

    Duffy was a real innovator and in fact brought in a civilian nurse played by Joanne Dru. I'm not sure how that worked out sending Dru in with a few thousand of the hardest cases around.

    The end has the prosecutor who sent Hayward up played with his usual relish by George MacReady. I won't say more except that one was a bit much to swallow.

    I wish Paul Kelly had done a factual account of Clinton P. Duffy's life. That would have been a great film. Duffy Of San Quentin which followed certain prison picture parameters was good, but nothing outstanding.
    helpful•4
    0
    • bkoganbing
    • Jan 11, 2017

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 16, 1954 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The San Quentin Story
    • Filming locations
      • Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Swarttz-Doniger Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 18 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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    Joanne Dru and Joe Turkel in Duffy of San Quentin (1954)
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