A convict in a medium-security prison is torn between his need to finish his sentence and get back to his wife and family, and his desire to escape the confines of prison.
Director:
Writers:
Award:
- Nominated for 1 Oscar.
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Photos and Videos
Complete, Cast awaiting verification
| Elroy 'Crazylegs' Hirsch | ... |
Steve Davitt
(as Elroy Hirsch)
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| Barbara Hale | ... |
Mary Davitt
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| Chester Morris | ... |
Kenyon J. Scudder
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| Todd Duncan | ... |
Bill Howard
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| Johnny Johnston | ... |
Eddie Garrity
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| Peggy Knudsen | ... |
Elaine
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| Jerry Paris | ... |
Joe Ravens
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| John Qualen | ... |
Leonard Haskins
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Tim Considine | ... |
Win Davitt
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| Sam Flint | ... |
Parole Board (uncredited)
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| Art Gilmore | ... |
Narrator (uncredited) (voice)
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| Dexter Gordon | ... |
Saxophone Player (uncredited)
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| Sol Gorss | ... |
Police Captain (uncredited)
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| Kathryn Grant | ... |
Sally Haskins (uncredited)
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| Bill Kennedy | ... |
Sanders (uncredited)
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| Don Kennedy | ... |
Mike Gladstone (uncredited)
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Victor Mowrer | ... |
Mess hall instigator (uncredited)
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| Henry Nakamura | ... |
Jerry Hakara (uncredited)
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| Robert Patten | ... |
Johnny Swanson (uncredited)
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| Stafford Repp | ... |
Mr. Miller, Prison Welding Supervisor (uncredited)
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Mack Williams | ... |
Mr. Johnson (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Hall Bartlett | ||
Written by
| Hall Bartlett | ... | (written by) |
| Kenyon J. Scudder | ... | (book "Prisoners Are People") |
Produced by
| Hall Bartlett | ... | producer |
Music by
| Alex North | ||
Cinematography by
| Virgil Miller | ... | (as Virgil E. Miller) |
Editing by
| Cotton Warburton | ||
Editorial Department
| Hugh Chaloupka | ... | assistant editor |
Set Decoration by
| Edward G. Boyle | ||
Makeup Department
| Steven Clensos | ... | makeup artist (as Steve Clensos) |
| Jane Romeyn | ... | hair stylist |
Production Management
| Ben Chapman | ... | production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Robert Farfan | ... | assistant director (as Bob Farfan) |
Art Department
| Jack Golconda | ... | head prop man |
Sound Department
| Hal Bumbaugh | ... | sound mixer |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Fred Russell | ... | head grip |
| Virgil Thompson | ... | head gaffer |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Veda Caroll | ... | wardrobe: ladies' |
| Chuck Keehne | ... | wardrobe: mens' (as Charles Keehne) |
Music Department
| Maurice De Packh | ... | orchestrator (as Maurice DePackh) |
| Alex North | ... | conductor |
| Georgie Auld | ... | musician: saxophone, dubbing for Dexter Gordon (uncredited) |
Additional Crew
| Newt Arnold | ... | assistant to the producer |
| Kenyon J. Scudder | ... | technical advisor (as Rebekah and Kenyon J. Scudder) |
| Rebekah Scudder | ... | technical advisor (as Rebekah and Kenyon J. Scudder) |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Warner Bros. (1955) (United States) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. (1955) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. (1955) (Norway) (theatrical)
- National Telefilm Associates (NTA) (1960) (United States) (tv)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- The Department of Corrections, Youth and Adult Corrections Agency, State of California (grateful appreciation)
Storyline
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | You can lock them in "The Hole"...put them on bread and water...use the bull-whip and the black-jack...but they're still men...with a man's longings! THE STORY OF CHINO PRISON, CALIFORNIA WHICH DID SOMETHING ABOUT IT...TOLD HOW IT HAPPENED...WHERE IT HAPPENED! See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | Add content advisory for parents » |
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Additional Details
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Did You Know?
| Trivia | The song "Unchained Melody" popularized in the US by Al Hibbler and Roy Hamilton, and in Britain by Jimmy Young in 1955, the year of the film ,and later by Vito and The Salutations as well as The Righteous Brothers in the mid 1960s, first surfaced on the soundtrack of this movie as composed by Alex North. See more » |
| Goofs | Opening narration said that this is the story was photographed at Chino prison as it happened, yet this film, which is just over an hour, takes place over several days. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Referenced in Episode #6.31 (1956). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Unchained (Lonely River) See more » |
| Crazy Credits | Suggested by the Life and Work of KENYON J. SCUDDER and by His Book "PRISONERS ARE PEOPLE" See more » |
| Quotes |
Narrator:
[opening narration]
This is Steve Davitt, convicted of a felony in the State of California. His destination: Chino, Pomona Valley. This is the largest honor prison in the world. Two thousand men live here. Murderers, armed robbers, forgers, safe-crackers, petty thieves. But there are no guns to hold them, no walls, no armed guards, just a man and an idea. A man named, Scudder; the idea: prisoners are people. This is their story. Photographed entirely at Chino, as it happened. See more » |