Experiment Alcatraz

An intriguing crime story with radiation as the plot's pivotal element. A group of Alcatraz convicts volunteer to be guinea pigs in an experiment seeking to find a cure for a blood disease (apparently related to leukemia). The convicts led by Robert Shayne (the old Superman TV show's Inspector Henderson) are only interested in gaining their freedom. The unexpected effect the radiation has on one prisoner subject leads a doctor and a nurse into a dangerous investigation which is their only hope to salvage their now damaged careers. The current negative attitude towards radiation adds an ironic counterpoint to the protagonists' noble desire to cure said blood disease, which incidentally has infected the nurse's brother. Good atmosphere and a taut narrative make this B picture worth watching.

EXPERIMENT ALCATRAZ (1950) is another in a very long line of ultra-cheap curios from the prodigiously prolific Edward L. Cahn, one of the undisputed "Kings of the Bs." Produced independently and picked up for theatrical distribution by RKO before eventually evaporating into the ethers of obscurity, this murky little gem ranks as one of Cahn's more interesting films.

Dr. Ross Williams (John Howard) and his crack team of army physicians are certain that by blasting "radioactive isotopes" into human guinea pigs, medical science will find a cure for a rare blood disease. A group of five Alcatraz lifers are given the opportunity to gain their freedom if they're willing to subject themselves to this hazardous and radical medical experiment. The hardened cons, led by the grizzled Barry Morgan (Robert Shayne, perennial good guy Inspector Henderson on TV's Superman) are quick to play ball without any illusions of altruism; their only interest is getting out of the can and this is clearly the only shot they're ever likely to get. But something goes horribly, weirdly wrong and Morgan winds up murdering one of the other cons in the aftermath of the experiment, throwing Dr. Williams' theory and, for that matter, entire medical career into jeopardy. The resulting mystery surrounding the peculiar events taking place at Alcatraz forms the basis for the remainder of this quirky drama.

While perhaps not as sharply drawn as other notable low budget noirs from the late 40s and early 50s, EXPERIMENT ALCATRAZ nevertheless earns its stripes through the sheer weirdness of its far-fetched story and the unexpected detours it takes along the way. At fifty-seven minutes, it can hardly be faulted for overstaying its welcome.

Edward L. Cahn had an incredible career in Hollywood, directing countless low budget features over a thirty-year period, including such classics as MAIN STREET AFTER DARK (1945), THE GAS HOUSE KIDS IN Hollywood (1947), DESTINATION MURDER (1950), CREATURE WITH THE ATOM BRAIN (1955), GIRLS IN PRISON (1956), SHAKE RATTLE & ROCK (1956), VOODOO WOMAN (1957), MOTORCYCLE GANG (1957), INVASION OF THE SAUCER MEN (1957), IT! THE TERROR FROM BEYOND SPACE (1958), RIOT IN JUVENILE PRISON (1959), GUNS, GIRLS & GANGSTERS (1959) and CAGE OF EVIL (1960).

At one hour running time, this couldn't even be considered a "B" movie. I suppose it defines the term programmer. Whatever it is, and however much it cost to produce, I think it's a winner. The legendary director, Eddie Cahn, manages to take an unknown cast and a dime store plot and turn it into a tight little mystery. Cahn, like Bill "One Shot" Beaudine and others were masters at using pocket change to turn out two reelers that are somehow able to capture the viewers attention. The plot, such as it is, involves the Army using radioactive isotopes on convicts from Alcatraz to help find a cure for a mysterious blood disease. (I wonder what the ACLU would have to say about that today). The experiment backfires and the hero begins to smell a rat. With the help of his nurse, his investigation leads to a criminal conspiracy involving the head rat - or the head guinea pig. But enough about that. Ignore the story and the unknown and mostly untalented cast. Enjoy the mystery, the pace, and the trip back to the land of double breasted pinstripe suits, Studebakers, and cliches. I voted 8/10

This is a very low budgeted film. However despite this, it manages to be both entertaining and worth your time.

The story begins with a medical trial being run at Alcatraz prison. The men have been told that for participating they will be released after the study is concluded. Oddly, one of the patients (Robert Shayne) murders another one of the patients and the radioactive isotope they're using is blamed. And, the program is canceled and the men released...even the killer (which is odd).

Dr. Williams (John Howard) is frustrated that his program was canceled and he vows to prove that his formula was NOT responsible for the murder. So, he sets out to find a motive for the killing...and quickly get the crap beaten out of him and more! So why did the prisoner kill his friend?

The finale for this one is excellent but even without that the story is quite nice and the acting very good despite the folks mostly being small-time from B-movies.

I was so excited with this unusual and daring scheme, so unpredictable at first sight, but finally spoiled, smashed by a lousy ending. I was very hopeful to watch one more time an Edward L Cahn's gem, afer DESTINATION MURDER, and before GUNS, GIRLS AND GANGSTERS; speak only of crime flicks, movies not supposed to look, like any other ones. Read closely this story and the expectations are at the highest scale. I don't regret to have seen it anyway, but the ending, I repeat, is unfortunately a bit cheesy, run of the mill. That will not prevent this feature to belong to Edward L Cahn's most interesting films anyway.