Leading man Douglas Kennedy's uncanny resemblance to tough guy Robert Ryan almost makes up for the lack of star names in this watchable B-movie. Kennedy is convincing as a crusading reporter who goes under cover as a chain-gang guard to expose the brutality of the penal system. Brandishing his high-tech (for the time) camera disguised as a cigarette lighter, he tries to conceal his bleeding heart liberal credentials secret from his oafish colleagues as he posts a series of shocking exposes.
The film's brief running time doesn't give director Lew Landers much of a chance to explore nuances of character or theme. But it's not giving anything away to say that the real villains here aren't the guys in the striped suits.
If you're a fan of this particular sub-genre of prison movies, you'll want to check out the infinitely superior Paul Muni vehicle, I Am a Fugitive From A Chain Gang.
The film's brief running time doesn't give director Lew Landers much of a chance to explore nuances of character or theme. But it's not giving anything away to say that the real villains here aren't the guys in the striped suits.
If you're a fan of this particular sub-genre of prison movies, you'll want to check out the infinitely superior Paul Muni vehicle, I Am a Fugitive From A Chain Gang.