Ostensibly based upon journalist Martin Mooney's own experience while in jail, this crisply directed work from a fictional story by Mooney is a tribute for Father Patrick O'Neil of the Order Of St. Benedict, because of his heroic efforts to quell a deadly prison riot before it could worsen (after 12 fatalities), at Canon City, Colorado in October of 1929, for which O'Neil was awarded the Carnegie Medal For Heroism. Young Johnny Gates (Dennis Moore) is assigned to a state penitentiary to serve a stretch of one to fourteen years to atone for forging a ten dollar check meant to assist his indigent mother, and he naturally is bitter and also susceptible to the plotting of his cellmate Red Manson (Barton Maclane) who is organizing a widespread escape attempt. The prison chaplain, Father Joe (Charles Bickford) tries to cultivate a friendship with Johnny, the priest believing that he can help the youth in adjusting to his new surroundings, but Gates is immune to the clergyman's cordiality and, although he accepts a job, through Father Joe's influence, in the prison library he does so due to the urging of Red who intends to use marked passages in library books as code among the conspiring inmates. In several scenes during which Father Joe berates the penal institution system and parole board for their inflexibility when dealing with convicts, some of his arguments are quite strongly advanced. As the breakout try nears, the largely cardboard characters that populate the unabashedly sentimental scenario are placed in expectedly hackneyed circumstances, although the briskly moving affair wins over a viewer because of the general mood of sincerity that is expressed from the screenplay. Bickford is very effective with his playing as Father Joe, granitic as ever and displaying perfect timing, while Dennis Moore, who seldom gains a featured role during his career, contributes a strongly focused and consistent turn as sullen Johnny Gates. Commendably released upon DVD by Alpha Video with indifferent but acceptable quality, remastering would be helpful to those desirous of adding to their personal collections what is one of the more effective films produced for the Men In Prison genre, so popular during the Great Depression.
9 Reviews
A good solid prison picture.
gullwing59200316 January 2013
Warning: Spoilers
An original story by Martin Mooney based on a true story & a tribute to prison chaplain Father Patrick O'Neil who risked his life to save innocent men in the Canon City Colorado prison riot in October 3rd 1929. In which 7 guards & 5 prison inmates were killed. And was awarded the Carnegie Medal for his extraordinary heroic act. As the heading reads after the opening credits & also states it's a fictionalized story for the movie.
The prison chaplain is Father Joe Collins convincingly portrayed by Charles Bickford. Dennis Moore plays Johnny Gates sent to prison for 14 years for forging a bad check for 10 bucks because of hard times. Father Joe thinks Johnny got a raw deal & is a decent man & doesn't deserve the harsh sentence he received & tries to encourage him not to be corrupted by bad cell mates. He gets put into a cell with the prison big shot Red Manson played by Barton MacLane who specialized in playing bad guys & gangsters & is planning a prison break. Usually in supporting roles but occasionally in leading roles such as "Prison Break" (1938) & "Captain Scarface" (1953). Here he's top billed with Charles Bickford.
This low budget film is quite well done & it's quality is evident & it has a good solid cast giving very effective performances. Prison movies of the 30's showed how grim & harsh & depressing prison life can be like the inmate on death row in his last hour before walking his last mile to be hanged. And there was usually singing inmates like Singing Jim (Richard Austin) who hauntingly sings nonstop. The message is very clear being in prison is hell. Charley Foy is also one of the inmates in charge of the prison show which the warden pulls the plug on for suspecting a break will take place. He gives a great tap dance act with his clicking heels & snapping fingers. The film also shows what happens to old timers like Convict "Dad" Schultz (George Cleveland) that are institutionalized & after being released & returning to the outside world with no direction & nothing to look forward to & cannot adjust to society & become insane & committed to a mental hospital only to want to be sent back to the big house because prison has sadly become his "home".
After the prison show is canceled the audience has no clue as to how the crash out will be staged & where. We are kept in the dark not knowing when & where & how only we know it'll happen. Which was typical in 1930's prison flicks. Leaving the viewer in suspense so when it does go down BANG ! You're in for a ride leading to an explosive climax. Worth watching if you like prison movies. A nice discovery & a hidden treasure !
The prison chaplain is Father Joe Collins convincingly portrayed by Charles Bickford. Dennis Moore plays Johnny Gates sent to prison for 14 years for forging a bad check for 10 bucks because of hard times. Father Joe thinks Johnny got a raw deal & is a decent man & doesn't deserve the harsh sentence he received & tries to encourage him not to be corrupted by bad cell mates. He gets put into a cell with the prison big shot Red Manson played by Barton MacLane who specialized in playing bad guys & gangsters & is planning a prison break. Usually in supporting roles but occasionally in leading roles such as "Prison Break" (1938) & "Captain Scarface" (1953). Here he's top billed with Charles Bickford.
This low budget film is quite well done & it's quality is evident & it has a good solid cast giving very effective performances. Prison movies of the 30's showed how grim & harsh & depressing prison life can be like the inmate on death row in his last hour before walking his last mile to be hanged. And there was usually singing inmates like Singing Jim (Richard Austin) who hauntingly sings nonstop. The message is very clear being in prison is hell. Charley Foy is also one of the inmates in charge of the prison show which the warden pulls the plug on for suspecting a break will take place. He gives a great tap dance act with his clicking heels & snapping fingers. The film also shows what happens to old timers like Convict "Dad" Schultz (George Cleveland) that are institutionalized & after being released & returning to the outside world with no direction & nothing to look forward to & cannot adjust to society & become insane & committed to a mental hospital only to want to be sent back to the big house because prison has sadly become his "home".
After the prison show is canceled the audience has no clue as to how the crash out will be staged & where. We are kept in the dark not knowing when & where & how only we know it'll happen. Which was typical in 1930's prison flicks. Leaving the viewer in suspense so when it does go down BANG ! You're in for a ride leading to an explosive climax. Worth watching if you like prison movies. A nice discovery & a hidden treasure !
Another prison melodrama
bkoganbing5 April 2014
Although some of the scenes have some real poignancy to them in the end Mutiny In The Big House ends up a melodramatic mess with every prison cliché in the book thrown into the plot.
The two leads and two opposite poles of good and evil are Charles Bickford as the prison chaplain and Barton MacLane as the toughest con in the joint. Parts that both are well cast in, especially MacLane.
The main part of the story line involves young Dennis Moore sent to prison for forging a $10.00 check for his mother's medicine. Sounds like he didn't have a good lawyer if indeed it was his first offense. Over Bickford's objections Moore is assigned as cell-mate to MacLane who tries to wise him up in prison ways. Bickford of course sees something redeemable in Moore and the conflict begins.
Best scenes are with old time institutionalized con George Cleveland. When he's released he can't adjust to life on the outside. Long before James Whitmore perfected the part in Shawshank Redemption, Cleveland gives a touching performance and Bickford actually goes to bat for him to get him sent back to prison.
The climax includes a prison break and what normally happens, happens in Mutiny In The Big House.
Charles Bickford was in a much better prison film Brute Force and a lot of these same situations were handled better in that classic film.
You can't pass up a film with Bickford and MacLane in classic parts, but don't expect all that much from Mutiny In The Big House.
The two leads and two opposite poles of good and evil are Charles Bickford as the prison chaplain and Barton MacLane as the toughest con in the joint. Parts that both are well cast in, especially MacLane.
The main part of the story line involves young Dennis Moore sent to prison for forging a $10.00 check for his mother's medicine. Sounds like he didn't have a good lawyer if indeed it was his first offense. Over Bickford's objections Moore is assigned as cell-mate to MacLane who tries to wise him up in prison ways. Bickford of course sees something redeemable in Moore and the conflict begins.
Best scenes are with old time institutionalized con George Cleveland. When he's released he can't adjust to life on the outside. Long before James Whitmore perfected the part in Shawshank Redemption, Cleveland gives a touching performance and Bickford actually goes to bat for him to get him sent back to prison.
The climax includes a prison break and what normally happens, happens in Mutiny In The Big House.
Charles Bickford was in a much better prison film Brute Force and a lot of these same situations were handled better in that classic film.
You can't pass up a film with Bickford and MacLane in classic parts, but don't expect all that much from Mutiny In The Big House.
Kind of sappy....
planktonrules23 July 2011
Although Martin Mooney based this story on real events and a real priest who worked in the prison system, I couldn't help but think that this film seemed a bit too sappy and hard to believe. Maybe you'll like it more than I did--I just see it as a heavy-handed time-passer.
Dennis Moore plays a convict who was given an unusually harsh sentence for his first offense. For writing a bad check for $10, he was given 1-14 years in the penitentiary--and the priest in the institution (Charles Bickford) feels sorry for him and wants to keep this nice guy from becoming a career criminal. However, the guy is assigned to bunk with a real hard-core jerk (Baron MacLane--who made a career out of playing such roles). Can the good priest keep Moore's character on the straight and narrow or will he be manipulated by his bunkie and live a life of crime? Overall, it's not a terrible film despite its low budget. But it also is handled poorly--coming off as too saccharine to be taken very seriously.
Dennis Moore plays a convict who was given an unusually harsh sentence for his first offense. For writing a bad check for $10, he was given 1-14 years in the penitentiary--and the priest in the institution (Charles Bickford) feels sorry for him and wants to keep this nice guy from becoming a career criminal. However, the guy is assigned to bunk with a real hard-core jerk (Baron MacLane--who made a career out of playing such roles). Can the good priest keep Moore's character on the straight and narrow or will he be manipulated by his bunkie and live a life of crime? Overall, it's not a terrible film despite its low budget. But it also is handled poorly--coming off as too saccharine to be taken very seriously.
A good film from Monogram!
JohnHowardReid3 November 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Better than you might expect from a Monogram production, "Mutiny in the Big House" has a really involving script by Robert Hardy Andrews (based on an original story by Martin Mooney that was itself based on true events) that gains much from the sincere portrayals by the principals, particularly Charles Bickford as Father Joe and Barton MacLane as Red. Even William Nigh's direction has unusual vigor and the film's budget is more expansive than the usual Monogram effort. True, there are stock shots, but they are integrated with more skill than usual. It's obvious that someone's heart (presumably producer Grant Withers – this was one of six films the prolific actor produced for Monogram) – was in this one!
Bickford Leaving Leading Roles Behind
boblipton13 April 2023
Charles Bickford is the prison's warden. When Dennis Moore starts serving his 5-14-year sentence for forging a $10 check, Bickford thinks he can be saved. But Moore's cellmate is Barton Maclane, who tries to figure every angle, and is working on a plan to break out. When that's frustrated, he starts a prison riot.
It's a pretty good movie from Monogram directed by William Nigh, one of those directors who fell out of favor with the switchover to sound movie. The ending is a bit abrupt, but a large cast of players (mostly from the B westerns) delivers in a tough environment.
Bickford was moving from being a leading man to being a star supporting actor, and he gives a good performance in what is essentially an ensemble piece. His presence would enliven many a movie and TV show through his participation in THE BIG VALLEY. He died in 1967, aged 76.
It's a pretty good movie from Monogram directed by William Nigh, one of those directors who fell out of favor with the switchover to sound movie. The ending is a bit abrupt, but a large cast of players (mostly from the B westerns) delivers in a tough environment.
Bickford was moving from being a leading man to being a star supporting actor, and he gives a good performance in what is essentially an ensemble piece. His presence would enliven many a movie and TV show through his participation in THE BIG VALLEY. He died in 1967, aged 76.
Fascinating anecdote.
davidpatterson-896568 April 2016
A great film. Remember the part where Father Joe looks at the envelope. It is addressed to 6948 Woodman Ave. Miltown PA. There is a Milltown PA but not a Miltown PA. But what is really fascinating is that 6948 Woodman Ave. is the Van Nys address of Ann Dvorak, with whom he made Gangs of new York a year earlier. I ponder what this suggests?
Barton MacLane crackles, the under-rated Pat Moriarty is believable and not stereotyped as an overly hostile warden, of which there are many in film. There is a brilliant cast of characters. George Cleveland provides some levity.
A powerful film, flawless acting, with excellent pace and balance. One of the great prison films, of which there were many.
Barton MacLane crackles, the under-rated Pat Moriarty is believable and not stereotyped as an overly hostile warden, of which there are many in film. There is a brilliant cast of characters. George Cleveland provides some levity.
A powerful film, flawless acting, with excellent pace and balance. One of the great prison films, of which there were many.
Spiritualism in prison?
mark.waltz4 April 2018
Warning: Spoilers
There is a haunting scene here where a prisoner on death row getting ready to go to the gallows breaks down in the arms of priest Charles Bickford, revealing his fear and being unsure how to pray. He admits that he was guilty of murdering his wife out of jealousy, but in that last moment of anger after her death, tried to call her back but couldn't. I've heard ministers say that even at the moment of death, somebody with the greatest sins on their soul can come to Christ and be forgiven and atoned. This movie may be schmaltzy in many ways, but it also opens up the opportunity for discussion on the issue of salvation. It wasn't just a fear of going to hell in this man's heart, but his regret for a human emotion he had no control over, and one which ruined his life. Bickford, playing a man of God who was once a child of the streets, has a gruff exterior, but his heart is big, especially as he deals with the troubled inmates of a very rough prison where a new warden turns everything upside down, leading to a very violent riot.
This Monogram film is about two reels longer than most of their films, with great detail put into the individual characterizations, and crafty in how it develops the events leading up to this mutiny. The aggressor in that mutiny is inmate Barton MacLane who senses the fear and innocence of a new young inmate (Dennis Moore) and cleverly uses him as a key into events which will lead up to this riot and attempt to escape. Bickford, sensing that MacLane is up to no good in regards to Moore, refuses to help him to get a job in the prison library, and MacLane becomes resentful towards him because of that. Bickford also aids the aging inmate George Cleveland who has been in prison for years and unable to deal with the life that he finds when he is freed. Little aspects like this makes "Mutiny in the Big House" an above average second feature, partially based upon alleged real events and people, and not at all cloying or overly preachy. Bickford and MacLane, practically interchangeable in their gruff personalities, are excellent in their roles, and the conclusion is thrilling, reminding me of the stand-off at the tail end of "High Noon".
This Monogram film is about two reels longer than most of their films, with great detail put into the individual characterizations, and crafty in how it develops the events leading up to this mutiny. The aggressor in that mutiny is inmate Barton MacLane who senses the fear and innocence of a new young inmate (Dennis Moore) and cleverly uses him as a key into events which will lead up to this riot and attempt to escape. Bickford, sensing that MacLane is up to no good in regards to Moore, refuses to help him to get a job in the prison library, and MacLane becomes resentful towards him because of that. Bickford also aids the aging inmate George Cleveland who has been in prison for years and unable to deal with the life that he finds when he is freed. Little aspects like this makes "Mutiny in the Big House" an above average second feature, partially based upon alleged real events and people, and not at all cloying or overly preachy. Bickford and MacLane, practically interchangeable in their gruff personalities, are excellent in their roles, and the conclusion is thrilling, reminding me of the stand-off at the tail end of "High Noon".
Another attempted prison break with limited success
clanciai27 September 2021
Charles Bickford as usual is brilliant in the lead and makes as credible a character as ever. The interesting thing about this film is its realism, it is actually based on a true story and true characters, and the event is rather common in America - it is known to be happening too often, and here at least there are not many casualties. It's a gloomy environment and you make the acquaintance with the worst kind of characters as well as with some merry types for a contrast - there is humor also in prison, you know. Being mainly all about prison life only it is predominantly claustrophobic, but of increasing interest, not only as tension grows but mainly for the human interest. You can't sympathize with the brutal gang leader, although even he has a sense of humor, but you do learn to sympathize with all the others. They are all there for a reason, but one and another, like the protagonist, actually didn't deserve what they get. It's an interesting development of both humanity and inhumanity.
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