San Quentin

Thoroughly routine cops and robbers, whose only distinction may be Raymond Burr's first screen appearance. The first part is a not very convincing look at reformed convicts who passed through the prison's controversial reform program. It's a worthy topic, but spread on pretty thick. The movie's main part is straight cops and robbers, with reformed convict Tierney trying to nab ruthless MacLane who's abused the program and given it a bad name.

Tierney was always more of a presence than an actor. Here his role tends to fade him into the background, overshadowed by the always energized MacLane who ends up stealing the show. Surprisingly, the staging is not noir though the film comes from noir's Mecca, RKO. Instead, prolific director Douglas films in pretty straightforward style, doing little to heighten either suspense or atmosphere. Unfortunately, the result looks like just another studio assignment for him. Fortunately, the movie has two real feminine eye-catchers, the blonde Carr and the brunette Forman. Both are real additions to the rather lackluster visuals.

All in all, the movie's not a good vehicle for Tierney's odd appeal. Nor is it compelling cops and robbers. While Burr is more the fall guy than the menacing heavy he could be.

Just by adding Laurence Tierney in the lead role as a rehabilitated convict, named Jim Roland, who is asked by the San Quentin Warden to become the prison's model spokesperson for the rehabilitation program that has gone into affect makes the film worthy of a watch.

A prison escape is planned by a wolf in sheep's clothing prisoner who eventually will bump heads with the recently reformed Jim Roland, (Laurence Tierney) who wants to ensure the Warden's newly introduced rehabilitation program continues even though the Prison Board believes it should be scrapped.

The film is a classic good guy versus bad guy black and white 1946 crime film well worth a watch.

I rate it a 6 out of 10 IMDb rating.

This movie had too much footage devoted to p.r. for the prison system to be a worthwhile noir. Of only marginal interest for Lawrence Tierney fans. The first red-flag that this movie was not going to be what I had hoped for: there is an awkward prologue spoken by the real-life warden of Sing Sing, who seems to be reading enormous cue cards, judging from his eyes sweeping back and forth before the camera. Perhaps he was too vain to wear his eyeglasses.

Flawless except for one thing. In White Heat Cagney had Virginia Mayo and in Key Largo Robinson had Claire Trevor. To have any gravitas here as a washed up old-time gangster MacLane would have had a significant love interest on the outside. Although his career was made in law enforcement roles, MacLane was a very bad guy in G-Men, killing his wife played by Ann Dvorak. Here again his answer to most problems is to kill someone. In comparison Lawrence Tierney is the rational one. The two girlfriends allotted here belong to Raymond Burr and Lawrence Tierney and without whom there would have been no point at all, the amazing Carol Forman and Marian Carr in her debut.

The movie "San Quentin" is riddled with some great era type slang, tough guy characters and peppered with a couple of hot dishes...especially Carol Forman. Burton Maclane is a classic tough guy who wields a rod whenever he has the chance. Lots of interesting pieces to this film including prison shots, car chases, flat foot investigations, shootouts and gangster goingson.

Don't be discouraged by the low rating average of this movie. If you like film noir type gangster movies from the era, you'll likely really enjoy this one. Hey, it's only a 1 hour, 6 minute investment. Check it out. I don't think you'll be disappointed.