"King of Alcatraz" (1938) is a super gangster film few have ever heard of. It is also, upon any reflection of over a few seconds after having seen it, as over-the-top as possible. It's done so quickly and so well that, while the action's happening, it's a picture to which the viewer's glued. Starring Lloyd Nolan, Robert Preston (in his film debut), Gail Patrick, Harry Carey, Sr., J. Carrol Naish, Anthony Quinn, Dennis Morgan (in cast credits as Richard Stanley), Virginia Dabney, and many others, this Paramount Pictures quickie (68 minutes) is directed by Robert Florey. Don't expect a prison movie; Naish, as Public Enemy #1, has escaped from Alcatraz in transport to a hospital in San Francisco, and is now on a cruise trawler where Nolan and Preston have been assigned as punishment for unbecoming conduct. They find Patrick on board as nurse. She's a "former" flame of Nolan's, and she's loved by Preston, too. The two are always falling for the same girl; hence their unbecoming behavior of tearing up places when they brawl with each other - though they brawl like brothers who genuinely underneath it all love each other in a brotherly way.
Naish gets on board the boat disguised as a grandmotherly old lady in the care of Virginia Dabney. His henchmen are the other "cruise members". Anthony Quinn and several other typical henchmen of the movies are Naish's "boys". They force themselves on the crew, including Captain Harry Carey, Sr. Eventually, the baddies shoot both Nolan and Preston, and it takes Patrick's care via instructions from another boat via telegraph to keep the two alive and well. It's tense and exciting and extremely well filmed and acted and directed. It's also, as I said, with some reflection - nonsense. But it's go-o-o-o-d nonsense!
Lots of fun. I've never even heard of this one before, but it'll be worth a second watch in a couple of years when I'm bored some night and need something before bed other than a needless snack.
