Directed by:
Hugo FregoneseScreenplay:
Michael BlankfortCinematography:
Guy RoeComposer:
Dimitri TiomkinCast:
Millard Mitchell, Gilbert Roland, John Beal, Marshall Thompson, Alf Kjellin, Harry Morgan, Regis Toomey, Carleton Young, John Marley, Byron Foulger (more)Plots(1)
Stanley Kramer's production unit at Columbia Pictures was known for its willingness to tackle subject matter that was not necessarily "box office" (much to the dismay, of course, of Columbia head man Harry Cohn!) Adapted by Michael Blankfort from the autobiography by Donald Powell Wilson, My Six Convicts is the true story of a prison psychologist and his efforts to "reach" his incarcerated patients. John Beal plays the Donald Powell Wilson counterpart, herein known simply as Doc. Convinced that psychological rehabilitation is, indeed, an option, Doc overcomes a great deal of opposition -- from both prison officials and prisoners -- to test out his theories. Once he's won the confidence of hardened safecracker James Connie (Millard Mitchell), Doc is able to bring five more convicts into his circle: murderous mobster Punch Pinero (Gilbert Roland); alcoholic, self-sacrificing Blivens Scott (Marshall Thompson); holdup man Clem Randall (Alf Kjellin); psychopathic killer Dawson (Harry Morgan -- yes, that Harry Morgan); and embezzler Steve Kopac (Jay Adler). These six cons learn to make their life behind bars not only tolerable but productive, and in so doing pass on their new outlook on life to their fellow inmates. Despite the seriousness of the subject matter, My Six Convicts is essentially a comedy, with the all-male cast working together in seamless perfection. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Cast
Millard Mitchell
Cuba
Best movies:
Singin' in the Rain (1952)
Winchester '73 (1950)
Twelve O'Clock High (1949)
Gilbert Roland
Mexico
Best movies:
The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima (1952)
The Sacketts (1979) (TV movie)
The Sea Hawk (1940)
John Beal
USA
Best movies:
Double Wedding (1937)
Edge of Darkness (1943)
The Cat and the Canary (1939)
Marshall Thompson
USA
Best movies:
The Valley of Decision (1945)
The Tall Target (1951)
Devil's Doorway (1950)
Alf Kjellin
Sweden
Best movies:
Summer Interlude (1951)
Torment (1944)
Ship of Fools (1965)
Harry Morgan
USA
Best movies:
Inherit the Wind (1960)
Roots: The Next Generations (1979) (series)
The Glenn Miller Story (1954)
Regis Toomey
USA
Best movies:
Producers' Showcase (1954) (series)
The Big Sleep (1946)
The People Against O'Hara (1951)
Carleton Young
USA
Best movies:
North by Northwest (1959)
Spartacus (1960)
The Spirit of St. Louis (1957)
John Marley
USA
Best movies:
The Godfather Trilogy: 1901-1980 (1992) (TV movie)
The Godfather: A Novel for Television (1977) (series)
The Godfather (1972)
Byron Foulger
USA
Best movies:
Song of Love (1947)
Edison, the Man (1940)
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
Charles Bronson
USA
Best movies:
Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
The Magnificent Seven (1960)
The Great Escape (1963)
Wesley Addy
USA
Best movies:
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)
Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970)
Network (1976)
Charles Sullivan
USA
Best movies:
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
The Great Dictator (1940)
Fury (1936)
Fred Kelsey
USA
Best movies:
Storm Warning (1951)
Mildred Pierce (1945)
Love Is News (1937)
Paul Hoffman
Best movies:
Blackboard Jungle (1955)
Marty (1955)
Odds Against Tomorrow (1959)
Dick Curtis
USA
Best movies:
Scarlet Street (1945)
King Kong (1933)
You Can't Take It with You (1938)
Russ Conway
Canada
Best movies:
Somebody Up There Likes Me (1956)
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)
The Heiress (1949)
George Eldredge
USA
Best movies:
Psycho (1960)
Pickup on South Street (1953)
Samson and Delilah (1949)
Jay Adler
USA
Best movies:
The Killing (1956)
Lust for Life (1956)
The Bad and the Beautiful (1952)
Carol Savage
USA
Best movies:
Let's Make It Legal (1951)
The Snake Pit (1948)
As Young as You Feel (1951)