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.
Nina Dobrev is moving from vampires to playing a reformed bad girl on her new CBS sitcom "Fam."
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Title: Duffy of San Quentin (1954)
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Cast
| Cast overview: | |||
| Louis Hayward | ... | Edward 'Romeo' Harper | |
| Joanne Dru | ... | Anne Halsey | |
| Paul Kelly | ... | Warden Clinton T. Duffy | |
| Maureen O'Sullivan | ... | Gladys Duffy | |
| George Macready | ... | John C. Winant | |
| Horace McMahon | ... | Pierson | |
| Irving Bacon | ... | Doc Sorin | |
 |
Joel Fluellen | ... | Bill Lake |
| Joe Turkel | ... | Frank Roberts (as Joseph Turkel) | |
| Jonathan Hale | ... | Boyd | |
| Michael McHale | ... | Pinto | |
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
Based on the book and the reflections of San Quentin Prison Warden Clinton T. Duffy, the film is episodic and rambling in nature but, unlike most prison dramas, there are touches of humor. Duffy, whose "time" at San Quentin covered over 50 years was initially appointed on a thirty-day basis, which makes him one of the best job-huggers of all time. Some of his first acts, such as abolishing the stool-pigeon system and solitary confinement and hiring a female nurse (Anne Halsey) were met with opposition and outrage in some quarters. The dominant story in the film is that of Edward Harper, a prisoner deemed incorrigible by the system until Duffy builds up trust and respect. His attitude was a bit justified as he was innocent of the charges that sent him to prison. Written by Les Adams <longhorn1939@suddenlink.net>
Plot Keywords:
location in title | career reflection | prison warden | california prison | damsel in distress |Taglines:
THE RAW-SIDE INSIDE STORY OF THE "TORTURE CAGE"! (ORIGINAL PRINT AD-ALL CAPS) See more »Parents Guide:
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
16 March 1954 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
The San Quentin Story See more »Filming Locations:
Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USACompany Credits
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Technical Specs
Runtime:
Color:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1
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Did You Know?
Trivia
Paul Kelly, who stars as the warden of San Quentin State Prison, had spent 25 months there during the 1920s, as a prisoner. He was convicted of manslaughter for the beating death of actor Ray Raymond, the first husband of actress Dorothy Mackaye, who was having an affair with Kelly and would later marry him. She was charged as an accomplice in Raymond's death for withholding evidence and was also imprisoned for 10 months. See more »Frequently Asked Questions
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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.