dana martin
Senior HTF Member
Day 3: 3 Noirvember 2021
Todays Double Feature Presentations
4. (Olive Films) First Time Viewing
Filmakers Releasing Organization, Inc. (Release Date: Apr 1955) Director: Lewis R. Foster, Cinematographer: Russell Metty
5. Riot in Cell Block 11( The Criterion Collection) First Time Viewing
Allied Artists Pictures Corp. (Release Date: Feb 28, 1954) Director: Don Siegel, Cinematographer: Russell Harlan
Last night's double feature was diametrically opposites in stories about prison and in some way prisoners.
First off, we have 1955's, Crashout a story about escape convicts trying to get away from the prison and the ruthlessness that these men have not only towards society and the guards, but also towards each other as well in their pursuit to survive and move on after prison life with a solid cast including William Bendix, Arthur Kennedy, William Talman (In the furthest thing from Hamilton Burger).
Personally for me what I find interesting about noir style filmmaking, is that you don't actually need the star to be a leading man say like a Robert Mitchum or Kirk Douglas, but instead can gather an ensemble of great character actors, with a solid script put them together and something just gels correctly. During their prison break William Bendix get shot but still manage is to make it to the hideout area where he told the others that they would hide out until the manhunt was over.
Suffering from fever and blood loss, he makes a deal with them to share his stolen money that landed him in prison with the other five individuals. Now this becomes some of a great escape style film with them trying to work their way to where the money is while not getting caught. While also dealing with the insecurities of each other, leading to the numbers dwindling down. As members are killed off.
Good little action yarn. not too long, well scripted and well-acted.
Bendix's character is a ruthless hateful man, which is only balanced by Arthur Kennedy's more even tempered, thinking thief. Till the ending when there is a showdown between these two how does it end up,
you'll have to watch it, but it's worth it.
OK so this brings us to Don Siegel’s, Riot in Cellblock 11, and once again it's character actors that drive this film. With a great starring turn by Neville Brand. As the cons have had enough of the abusiveness inside the prison system the only thing that they're asking for is the same things that the warden has been asking for the last 5 to 10 years.
Apparently this film came about through producer Walter Wrangler having spent some time in prison and didn't like the way the conditions were. This film was meant to spark off the idea of some social change an rehabilitation for prisons at the same time that other riots were happening which would bring about some social reforms of the prison justice system. It's a powerfully moving piece a film making, Siegel’s direction the lighting, And the great acting from the all-around stupendous list of character actors make this a totally engrossing film. What surprises me the most is after the performance given by Neville Brand that he wasn't given more shots at starring roles.
But the system is always slow to change, and the way the film ends his character Dunn wins and loses at the same time. Because the way the system is set up it takes legislation to exact a change.
Highly Recommended
Todays Double Feature Presentations
4. (Olive Films) First Time Viewing
Filmakers Releasing Organization, Inc. (Release Date: Apr 1955) Director: Lewis R. Foster, Cinematographer: Russell Metty
5. Riot in Cell Block 11( The Criterion Collection) First Time Viewing
Allied Artists Pictures Corp. (Release Date: Feb 28, 1954) Director: Don Siegel, Cinematographer: Russell Harlan
Last night's double feature was diametrically opposites in stories about prison and in some way prisoners.
First off, we have 1955's, Crashout a story about escape convicts trying to get away from the prison and the ruthlessness that these men have not only towards society and the guards, but also towards each other as well in their pursuit to survive and move on after prison life with a solid cast including William Bendix, Arthur Kennedy, William Talman (In the furthest thing from Hamilton Burger).
Personally for me what I find interesting about noir style filmmaking, is that you don't actually need the star to be a leading man say like a Robert Mitchum or Kirk Douglas, but instead can gather an ensemble of great character actors, with a solid script put them together and something just gels correctly. During their prison break William Bendix get shot but still manage is to make it to the hideout area where he told the others that they would hide out until the manhunt was over.
Suffering from fever and blood loss, he makes a deal with them to share his stolen money that landed him in prison with the other five individuals. Now this becomes some of a great escape style film with them trying to work their way to where the money is while not getting caught. While also dealing with the insecurities of each other, leading to the numbers dwindling down. As members are killed off.
Good little action yarn. not too long, well scripted and well-acted.
Bendix's character is a ruthless hateful man, which is only balanced by Arthur Kennedy's more even tempered, thinking thief. Till the ending when there is a showdown between these two how does it end up,
you'll have to watch it, but it's worth it.
OK so this brings us to Don Siegel’s, Riot in Cellblock 11, and once again it's character actors that drive this film. With a great starring turn by Neville Brand. As the cons have had enough of the abusiveness inside the prison system the only thing that they're asking for is the same things that the warden has been asking for the last 5 to 10 years.
Apparently this film came about through producer Walter Wrangler having spent some time in prison and didn't like the way the conditions were. This film was meant to spark off the idea of some social change an rehabilitation for prisons at the same time that other riots were happening which would bring about some social reforms of the prison justice system. It's a powerfully moving piece a film making, Siegel’s direction the lighting, And the great acting from the all-around stupendous list of character actors make this a totally engrossing film. What surprises me the most is after the performance given by Neville Brand that he wasn't given more shots at starring roles.
But the system is always slow to change, and the way the film ends his character Dunn wins and loses at the same time. Because the way the system is set up it takes legislation to exact a change.
Highly Recommended
