This fact-based prison drama tells the tale of a band of prisoners living in the innovative 2,600-acre prison at Chino, California. The place takes a humanistic approach to reform and there are no armed guards, no lockups and no uniforms. The underlying philosophy is that if these things are not there, the prisoners will not want to escape, and will instead accept their punishment. A new inmate arrives and soon accustoms himself to the new idea. The story includes the Oscar nominated song Unchained Melody.
Cast
Elroy 'Crazylegs' Hirsch
Steve Davitt
Barbara Hale
Mary Davitt
Chester Morris
Kenyon Scudder
Todd Duncan
Bill Howard
Johnny Johnston
Eddie Garrity
Peggy Knudsen
Elaine
Jerry Paris
Joe Ravens
John Qualen
Leonard Haskins
Tim Considine
Win Davitt
Stafford Repp
Mr. Miller
Bill Kennedy
Sanders
Kathryn Grant
Sally Haskins
Robert Patten
Swanson (uncredited)
Mack Williams
Mr. Johnson (uncredited)
Sol Gorss
Police captain (uncredited)
Henry Nakamura
Jerry Hakara (uncredited)
Don Kennedy
Mike Gladstone (uncredited)
Dexter Gordon
Saxophone Player (uncredited)
Art Gilmore
Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
Crew
Hall Bartlett
Director, Writer
Kenyon J. Scudder
Book, Technical Advisor
Cotton Warburton
Editor
Hugh Chaloupka
Assistant Editor
Virgil Miller
Director of Photography
Robert Farfan
Assistant Director
Jane Romeyn
Hairstylist
Steven Clensos
Makeup Artist
Hal Bumbaugh
Sound
Alex North
Original Music Composer
Hy Zaret
Lyricist
Edward G. Boyle
Set Decoration
Rebekah Scudder
Technical Advisor
Fred Russell
Grip
Ben Chapman
Production Manager