There Was a Crooked Man... (1970)

A charming but totally ruthless criminal is sent to a remote Arizona prison. He enlists the help of his cellmates in an escape attempt with the promise of sharing his hidden loot.

Director:

Joseph L. Mankiewicz

Writers:

David Newman, Robert Benton

Stars:

Kirk Douglas, Henry Fonda, Hume Cronyn

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kirk Douglas	...	Paris Pitman, Jr.
Henry Fonda	...	Woodward W. Lopeman
Hume Cronyn	...	Dudley Whinner
Warren Oates	...	Floyd Moon
Burgess Meredith	...	The Missouri Kid
John Randolph	...	Cyrus McNutt
Lee Grant	...	Mrs. Bullard
Arthur O'Connell	...	Mr. Lomax
Martin Gabel	...	Warden LeGoff
Michael Blodgett	...	Coy Cavendish
C.K. Yang	...	Ah-Ping
Alan Hale Jr.	...	Tobaccy (as Alan Hale)
Victor French	...	Whiskey
Claudia McNeil	...	Madam
Bert Freed	...	Skinner

Storyline

Charm, intelligence and success in criminal career doesn't prevent Paris Pitman Jr. to start doing ten years in prison, in the middle of the Arizona desert. However, those years should pass quickly because of a $500,000 loot previously stashed away. New idealistic warden would only make Pitman think of getting his fortune even sooner. He starts to manipulate everyone to achieve his goal.

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Plot Keywords:

arizona territory | yuma territorial prison | arizona territorial prison | prison wagon | wagon | 

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Taglines:

THE CROOKED BUNCH...locked in a living hell-hole...it took the crooked man to handle them...even if he had to kill them to do it!

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Genres:

Western

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

19 September 1970 (France)

Also Known As:

Zwei dreckige Halunken

Filming Locations:

Mojave Desert, Arizona, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

126 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The "enormous" dressing trailer for Kirk Douglas stood just outside the location's prison set. Reportedly, it had a white picket fence, a mailbox, two flower boxes and a green lawn planted in front with a water fountain and lounge chairs.

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Goofs

After escaping from prison, Pitman visits the widow Bullard and leaves the prison mule in her corral and takes a horse. After being bitten by the snake and dying, the warden takes his body back on the horse he rode, which now is a mule again.

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Quotes

Paris Pittman Jr.: [after discussing his hidden loot and escape plans] I'm putting my trust in all of you. Keep quiet.
The Missouri Kid: Like asking a pack of coyotes to keep quiet about a dead horse!

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Connections

Referenced in Mic Macs à Tire-Larigot (2009)

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Soundtracks

There Was A Crooked Man...
By Charles Strouse and Lee Adams
Sung by Trini López

User Reviews

" Man reaps what he sows and no one sows better than thee "

The direction for this film owes it's life to Joseph L. Mankiewicz who guides this clever Western movie to it's eventual and Classic end. It's a great story dealing with the weakness in every man. " There was a Crooked Man " also deals with Life's opportunity for good and evil. The story centers it's sights on Paris Pitman (Kirk Douglas), Jr. a thieving conniving, unscrupulous con and sneaky gunman who is fortunately sent to a territorial prison where he collects a motley group of Convicts whom he persuade to join him in a grand escape. While at the prison, he is watched by Woodward W. Lopeman (Henry Fonda) the new prison warden who suspects that Pitman is much too clever to remain behind bars without attempting to escape. The movie is well directed and the prison convicts are notable actors which are a who's-who of talented Thespians who are easily recognizable. They include Hume Cronyn, Warren Oates, Burgess Meredith, John Randolph, Arthur O'Connell, Martin Gabel, Alan Hale Jr. and Victor French. Together they create a story which is interesting and well worth the title of Classic. Easily enjoyed and hardily recommended. ****