Unchained (1955)
Screen: Prison Film; ' Unchained' Presented at Victoria Theatre
H. H. T.
Published: January 28, 1955
SINCERITY sits like a halo on "Unchained," which opened yesterday at the Victoria.
That is the first, last and best impression made by this not - altogether successful appraisal of an honor-system prison, written, directed and produced by Hall Bartlett and released by Warner Brothers. Basing his picture on the career of Kenyon J. Scudder, as set forth in Mr. Scudder's book, "Prisoners Are People," the enterprising Mr. Bartlett shot most of the scenes at the Chino (California Institute for Men), which Mr. Scudder supervises.
As a camera tour of the largest "wall-less" prison in the world, and as unstinting tribute to Mr. Scudder's hard-launched program of corrective, individual responsibility, "Unchained" rings persuasively authentic. Unfortunately, the background remains far more intriguing and unconventional than any of the case histories described.
The fact that the story lacks real dramatic wallop may perhaps be attributed to two things, first of all the glaring contrast with the recent prison riots. Secondly, Chino itself as seen here, operates primarily as a transient testing-ground for less serious offenders.
Using a group of professionals, headed by Elroy Hirsch and Chester Morris, for the key roles, Mr. Bartlett tells the story of an embittered young rancher, convicted for homicidal assault. Since he is played by a strapping, clean-cut grid-iron graduate like Elroy Hirsch, and with considerable ease, no one will be surprised over his gradual but steady regeneration. However, Mr. Bartlett keeps the incidents moving at a good, even clip, in showing realistically the guidance given the hero by Mr. Scudder, tersely interpreted by Mr. Morris, and by Todd Duncan, another inmate.
If the other inmates, among them Johnny Johnston, Jerry Paris and John Qualen, seem familiar types, the life-like dialogue supplied by Mr. Bartlett at least makes them credible. Seen briefly as women visitors, Barbara Hale and Peggy Knudsen appear just as capably.
But the strongest performance is given by Mr. Duncan, in a picture that remains interesting rather than gripping.
UNCHAINED, written, directed and produced by Hall Bartlett and released by Warner Brothers.
Steve Davitt . . . . . Elroy Hirsch
Kenyon J. Scudder . . . . . Chester Morris
Bill Howard . . . . . Todd Duncan
Mary Davitt . . . . . Barbara Hale
Eddie Garrity . . . . . Johnny Johnston
Joe Ravens . . . . . Jerry Paris
Leonard Haskins . . . . . John Qualen
Elaine . . . . . Peggy Knudsen
Win Davitt . . . . . Tim Considine
Sanders . . . . . Bill Kennedy
Jerry Hakara . . . . . Henry Nakamura
