SYNOPSICS
Inside the Walls of Folsom Prison (1951) is a English movie. Crane Wilbur has directed this movie. Steve Cochran,David Brian,Philip Carey,Ted de Corsia are the starring of this movie. It was released in 1951. Inside the Walls of Folsom Prison (1951) is considered one of the best Crime,Drama,Film-Noir movie in India and around the world.
Another in a unrelated series of Warner's penitentiary tours in three different decades. This one is California's notorious Folsom Prison prior to its 1944 reformation make-over. Ben Rickey, the prison's sadistic old-school warden who believes that the prison system if for punishment rather than reformation, rules Folsom with an iron-hand. He highly resents his university-trained assistant, Mark Benson, who does not share Rickey's beliefs. Rickey, hoping the results will be disastrous, gives Benson permission to try his modern method. He tolerates Benson's innovations until convict "Red" Pardue is killed by another prisoner. Benson blames Rickey, who had refused Pardue protection after he had reported an escape attempt. Benson resigns and Rickey brings back his concentration-camp program. Chuck Daniels, a hardened convict, then stage his long-planned prison break. A bloody riot ensues in which Rickey is murdered and the escapees are accidentally killed by a dynamite blast while taking...
Inside the Walls of Folsom Prison (1951) Reviews
A Great Cast Makes a Very Good B Prison Movie
Here is a case where a cast of solid and interesting actors become the main reason to watch. INSIDE THE WALLS OF FOLSOM PRISON is not in the league of great prison movies like BRUTE FORCE (Dassin, 1947), but it has some singular qualities that will make fans of the prison movie genre want to seek it out. The film opens with the prison speaking--yes, a familiar-voiced narrator speaking as Folsom itself. The intention of the film is a lesson in prison reform. But we are spared any dryly didactic speech-making. The opening sequence is full of super-charged action, as several prisoners carry out a plot to assault guards and take over. Their initial attempt fails, leaving the ringleaders at the mercy of con-hater warden Rickey (a nicely corrosive Ted De Corsia). Rickey is not just intolerant of any resistance from prisoners, he's sadistic and cruel. In a scene reminiscent of BRUTE FORCE, Rickey beats a prisoner (Paul Picerni) to unconsciousness behind the closed door of his office. But there is no Wagner playing loudly on a phonograph to cover the violent sound, as in the Dassin film. Even his own guards are disgusted by Rickey's brutality. Later, we are treated to scenes of stool-pigeons and the revenge exacted on them by fellow prisoners. Things start getting more out of hand as a new, well-meaning head guard (David Brian of THE DAMNED DON'T CRY) tries to introduce a more tolerant approach. Steve Cochran is billed as the film's star, but his character, Chuck Daniels, does not come into his own until well past the mid-point. Daniels is a prisoner famed for several previous escapes. And in Folsom he does not disappoint. It's great fun watching Daniels lead a daring escape attempt. And the film has a satisfying final payoff. Cochran, De Corsia, Brian, Picerni are terrific, at the top of their acting game. Also great in the cast: Philip Carey and Edward Norris as nasty Sgt. Hart. James Griffith (the 'Zachary Scott of the Bs') makes a notable stool-pigeon. William Lava's score is attractive and rarely intrusive. Watch this one for the great cast.
The Walls Have Ears
"Inside the Walls of Folsom Prison", brutal warden Ted de Corsia (as Ben Rickey) cracks down hard on inmates who don't follow the rules, tripling sentences and making sure troublemakers are either shot dead or smacked upside the head. He favors hard-edged discipline, but newly arrived captain David Brian (as Mark Benson) wants Folsom to try a more humane approach with the prisoners. As the two men clash, the inmates contemplate the hellish conditions. Serving a life term, leader Steve Cochran (as Chuck Daniels) is planning an escape. Future "One Life to Live" star Philip Carey (as Red Pardue) wants to stay out of trouble... Another in a long line of Warner Bros. productions encouraging better conditions those confined for wrongdoing, this one was written and directed by veteran actor Crane Wilbur. He makes the point. Supposedly, this film inspired Johnny Cash to write his classic "Folsom Prison Blues" (1955), but there are no train whistles, and plenty of sunshine herein; in fact, Mr. Cash copped his song from Gordon Jenkins' album "Seven Dreams" (1953). The escape plotted by Mr. Cochran is captivating. Early in the running time, "Dark Shadows" paroled convict Anthony George is the man holding the knife up near Mr. De Corsia's jugular. ****** Inside the Walls of Folsom Prison (5/18/51) Crane Wilbur ~ Steve Cochran, David Brian, Philip Carey, Ted de Corsia
Moderately interesting but routine prison drama in need of strong director...
Unfortunately, Crane Wilbur's direction is not strong enough to allow INSIDE THE WALLS OF FOLSOM PRISON to be anything more than a routine prison melodrama illustrating prison reform when a man with new ideas (DAVID BRIAN) is given a chance to change the brutal practices of Warden Rickey (TED DeCORSIA). And fans of STEVE COCHRAN will be surprised that he has such a peripheral part when he's given top billing over David Brian. His part in the prison escape featured at the conclusion of the film is the only time he gets the spotlight. Otherwise, he's just one of the men unhappy with the prison system and looking for the right moment to make his move. All of the brutal episodes featured in the story could have come across with greater effect as they have in many Warner prison melodramas featuring stars like James Cagney or Edward G. Robinson or Humphrey Bogart. Instead, the total effect is less than striking because the story ambles on in a way that never lifts it out of routine. Disappointing. Ted DeCorsia has the meatiest role as the brutal warden and does fairly well with a villainous role. David Brian is merely adequate in a rather colorless role as the good guy.
Where the really bad apples are stored
With the exception of Steve Cochran who did do some leads Inside The Walls Of Folsom Prison is a film Warner Brothers did with a whole lot of their supporting players. Both as convicts and guards they tell a gritty tale about Folsom Prison the place where all the really bad apples in the California Penal System go. Plus others when the system has no room elsewhere. Ted DeCorsia got the career role in this film as the sadistic warden who takes real pleasure in meting out punishment. He has it arranged so he's like Pavlov conducting experiments with rodents all to give him maximum jollies. Some of the cons are people like Cochran, Philip Carey, Paul Picerni, Michael Tolan and William Campbell. Carey's case is a particularly tragic one. He's due for parole and becomes enmeshed in some of the warden's games. Dorothy Hart has a tragic role herself as the expectant wife just waiting for her man to come home. David Brian plays a guard who is sent by the prison board to help bring about some changes. He does to a limited extent, but he's defeated with a combination of DeCorsia's game playing and the fact that he's dealing with some really desperate characters. Inside The Wall Of Folsom Prison is a gripping prison drama that does not let up in tension or drama. A great film about desperate men.
Well worth seeing just to hear the great, gritty narration as the film begins...
I was really very shocked...pleasantly shocked...when the film began. The narration was among the most vivid and vicious I can ever recall hearing at a film's introduction! You can clearly tell this is NOT one of those films that is anti-prisoner but is an exposé of sorts about the evils of this particular prison! In many ways, the toughness and style remind me of another classic film..."Brute Force". Soon the prison has a riot and several prisoners try to escape. A couple guards are killed and the psychotic Warden (played wonderfully by Ted de Corsia) seems almost happy about it! Now he can really make the prisoners' lives hell! He also beats the ring leader half to death...and seems to take pleasure doing this. He also uses stoolies...and then deliberately exposes them to the retribution of their fellow prisoners...all for kicks! It's obvious that the place is horrible even by prison standards...thanks to this sociopath. Not surprisingly, a new Captain of the Guards is brought in from the outside (David Brian). He's not a sadist but has plans on straightening out the system and restoring humanity to Folsom. Surprisingly, the Warden lets him implement his reforms...but you also realize that sooner or later, the Captain's days are numbered and the Warden will attempt to destroy the Captain. Overall, this is a very impressive film. After all, the film stars a lot of folks who are normally supporting actors and they all acquit themselves very well. This is also thanks to a taut script and excellent direction. Well worth seeing...and far better than I'd anticipated!