Inside the Walls of Folsom Prison
Inside the Walls of Folsom Prison
| 18 May 1951 (USA)
Inside the Walls of Folsom Prison Trailers

A warden and his assistant clash over prison reform, triggering a violent riot.

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Reviews
Hellen

I like the storyline of this show,it attract me so much

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Brightlyme

i know i wasted 90 mins of my life.

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Stevecorp

Don't listen to the negative reviews

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Janae Milner

Easily the biggest piece of Right wing non sense propaganda I ever saw.

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lchadbou-326-26592

If you see the name Crane Wilbur in the credits, either as writer or director, especially if it is a crime picture, you can be sure that it will be above average. Wilbur used his skills as a veteran actor (going as far back as the silent Perils Of Pauline serial) as an author and later as a director to deepen the quality of the genre work he took on, often through research before shooting, so that the results had more unusual dialogue and a richness of realistic detail. Here he starts off what is basically a standard movie formula by having the prison itself, in this case Folsom, narrate the story! The plot pivots on the contrast between sadistic warden Ted De Corsia who wants to restrict the menu his inmates can eat ("Beans three times a day") and a well meaning new captain of the guard David Brian who believes in psychology and compares the De Corsia character to history's dictators (" You're as much a psychopathic case as any man in here") The treatment also benefits from use of the real Folsom location, touted in the opening (it would later be used again in such as Revolt In The Big House) some nice lensing (the scene where 5 convicts in a cell make plans, after the lights have been turned off early, their faces glimpsed in the dark) and effective musical underscoring by William Lava. If there is a big flaw in the film it's the decision to portray the brutal conditions as something way in the past- the turn of the century, in fact- and to assure the audience at the end with the return of narration that things have now improved, a somewhat false sweetness and light conclusion. If you want to learn more about Wilbur's fascinating career I recommend the biographical article by scholar Brent Walker in the Spring 2011 issue of the publication Noir City. Walker says that Inside The Walls Of Folsom Prison "may be Wilbur's signature work."

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Neil Doyle

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.

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wes-connors

"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

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mackjay2

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.

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