Prison Mutiny (Monogram) (1943)

Famous Hoax onHollywood Marked Girl’s Film Debut Joan Woodbury made her motion picture debut as a truly made-to-order actress, in Hollywood’s most famous hoax. The talented—and very clever—Miss Woodbury comes to the theatre on in “Prison Mutiny,” Monogram’s thrilling prison drama in which she is featured with Edward Norris and Jack La* Rue. Several years ago, though totally without acting experience, Joan decided that she would “get into pictures.” Producer Harry Sherman was at that time preparing to film the first of the Hopalong Cassidy pictures, “The Eagle’s Brood,” and Miss Woodbury learned that he was seeking a girl of a Latin type to play the leading feminine role. She sent him a photograph of herself, but was promptly turned down for the apparently sound reason that she was “not the type.” The undaunted Joan determined to fix that. Fortunately for her plan, she could speak Spanish, and she proceeded to make herself up as a Mexican girl. Then she dressed her mother in a long black dress | with a shawl over her head, and to| gether the pair called at Sherman’s studio office. Miss Woodbury introduced herself as Nina Martinez— and promptly landed the job. The producer engaged on _ interpreter and a diction coach to work throughout the filming of the picture, and did not know until months afterward that the “Mexican” girl was really Joan Woodbury, who had never been outside the United States except when she had played a long engagement as a dancer at the famous resort of Agua Caliente, Mexico. But the success of the hoax proved very definitely | that she was a natural-born actress | of exceptional talent. In addition to Miss Woodbury, Norris and La Rue, the cast of “Prison Mutiny” includes Paul McVey, Milburn Stone, Charles Jordan and Sam Bernard. Phil Rosen directed under the production supervision of Lindsley Parsons, and the screenplay was written by Albert Beich. Many of the picture’s photographic backgrounds were actually filmed in California’s San Quentin Penitentiary. TUNER | Jack La Rue began his business career in New York City as an itinerant piano tuner, but never learned to play the instrument. He was Strictly a tuner. La Rue comes to the theatre on in “Prison Mutiny,’ Monogram’s ab| sorbingly interesting prison drama in which he is featured with Edward Norris and Joan Woodbury. HERE'S THE DRAMATIC STORY (Not For Publication) Johnny Gray, playboy, is framed and sent to San Quentin prison aiter his stolen car is found in a holdup committed by Rico, a gangster. Though the latter is not suspected, his henchmen Harry, Creeper and Red, Johnny. Stung by the injustice of his conviction when even his fiancee believes him guilty, Johnny becomes an unruly prisoner, and is put in the same cell with Cain, hardned head of the prison gang who are planning a jailbreak. The kindly Frank Sanders is installed as wins Johnny over to his side by changing his cellmate and giving him an opportunity to Here he meets Amy Duncan, Harry, Creeper and Red attempt to break out of the prison, bui all are wounded, and Rico, who has attempted to help them from the outside, is killed. One of the men confesses that Johnny has been railroaded. Learning this, and attracted by reforms instituted by Sanders, Johnny becomes a prison guard. He has fallen in love with Amy, but thinks that she, in turn, is in love with the warden. gang attempt a prison break, the latter convinces the men that they cannot succeed, and they eventually return to their cells. quelled Sanders informs Johnny that he is not in love with Amy, so the former playboy turns thanktully to the daughter of his fellow guard. THE CAST Johnny Gray EDWARD NORRIS Amy Duncan JOAN WOODBURY JACK LA RUE Sanders.. MILBURN STONE Creeper. CHARLES JORDAN Warden KENNETH HARLAN Duncan. ROBERT HOMANS Jumpy....GEORGE KAMEL Rico.. WILLIAM CASTELLO Harry MAURITZ HUGO Red. ......SAM BERNARD PAUL McVEY MARKSMAN One of the best rifle shots in Hollywood is Edward Norris, who comes to the theatre on eee aaa in a featured role of the Monogram prison drama, ‘Prison Mutiny.” Norris has won many ribbons and cups in skeet matches throughout the United States, and owns one of the finest private collections of firearms in the country. | PRISON FURY | |Jack LaRue and Edward Norris have the leading roles in the savage drama of “Prison Mutiny,’ Monogram’s dramatic hit at the Theatre. One Col. Scene Mat No. 1 are convicted with the new prison warden, and work in the prison gardens. daughter of a prison guard. Cain and his using Johnny as a shield, but After the riot is ~ warden, played by Milburn Stone, played by Joan Woodbury. It’s in Theatre. the Monogram prison picture at the | scenes were actually filmed in California’s San Quentin penitentiary, largest penal in the United States. Edward Norris is excellent as a playboy who becomes an unruly prisoner after he is unjustly railroaded to the penitentiary, and Jack La Rue is ideally cast as a hardened criminal serving a longterm sentence. In the third featured role, Joan Woodbury is altogether pleasing as the daughter of a prison guard. Among the other competent players in a fine cast are Selmar Jackson, Milburn Stone, Charles Jordan, Paul McVey, Kenneth Harlan, Sam Bernard, Mauritz Hugo, William Castello and Robert Homans. Two attempted jailbreaks form the high points of the dramatic action, and a love story also develops in the sordid atmosphere of the prison. In addition, the picture is un|usually interesting in that it gives |a realistic portrayal of life in a great penitentiary. | Due credit for an important share in the success of “Prison Mutiny” goes to Director Phil Rosen and Lindsley Parsons, producer of the picture. The action-filled screenplay was written by Albert Beich, with additional dialogue by Charles Marion, and Mack Stengler contributed excellent photography. institution Film Drama Features Actual Prison Scenes Scenes actually made in California’s San Quentin penitentiary, the largest penal institution in the United States, form the background for the story of “Prison Mutiny,” Monogram’s thrilling drama which comes to the theatre on eh Nes , With Edward Norris, Joan Woodbury and Jack La Rue in featured roles. Other parts are played by Paul McVey, Milburn Stone, Charles Jordan, Mauritz Hugo, Kenneth Harlan, Robert Homans and Sam Bernard. Phil Rosen directed under the production supervision of Lndsley Parsons, and Albert Beich wrote the screenplay, with additional dialogue by Charles Marion. Edward Norris as a “numbered man” has to restrain his fury as the Two Column Scene Mat No. 20 Dramatic Prison Story in Premiere on Local Screen (Review) There is drama of a very high order in “Prison Mutiny,” theatre last night. Told against a sombre | ‘background, the story is a succession of tense situations and thrilling incidents which gain in force through the very locale of the action. Many of the* ROMANTIC CONFLICT IN “MUTINY” | embraces the girl the convict loves, Monogram’s “Prison Mutiny” at the which opened an engagement | EDWARD NORRIS | Sensational performance of Edward Norris is a highlight of “Prison Mutiny,” the Monogram drama coming to: thee ee Theatre. One Col. Scene Mat No. 2 Contrasted in contrasting methods of conducting ja penal instsitution are interesting‘ly shown in “Prison Mutiny,” the dramatic Monogram prison story which “comes *t0. DNC. ksas a oes | theatre On? ns , with Edward Norris, Joan Woodbury and Jack La Rue in featured roles. | Practically every scene in the picture is laid within the walls of the country’s largest penitentiary, and the effect of the different policies is brought out quite incidentally during the progress of the film. In the opening sequences the prisoners are ruled with an iron hand by a warden of the old school, and the institution is enveloped in hatred and intrigue. Later the prison is in charge of a warden who applies modern penal methods in i'by Phil Rosen, Prison Mutiny In Exciting Film (Advance) The story of a man’s regeneration, in spite of his unjust treatment at the hands of the law, forms the basis of “Prison Mutiny,’ the thrilling Monogram prison drama which opens an engagement at the ....... theatre on , with Edward Norris, Joan Woodbury and Jack La Rue in featured roles. “Railroaded” to the penitentiary for a crime he did not commit, playboy Edward Norris becomes an unruly prisoner, only to have two important circumstances bring about a gradual change in his attitude toward society. In the meantime he has been the center of an exciting series of events, including a riot and jailbreak involving some of the most dramatic incidents ever brought to the motion picture screen. Many of the scenes in the picture were actually filmed in California’s San Quentin penitentiary, largest prison in the United States, and the film gives a realistic picture of life in a great penal institution. The cast of this dramatic screenplay also includes Milburn Stone, Charles Jordan, Selmer Jackson, Paul McVey, Sam Bernard and Kenneth Harlan, and the picture was directed by Phil Rosen under the production supervision of Lindsley Parsons. The original story of |“‘Prison Mutiny” was written by Al bert Beich, who received the cooperation of Clinton T. Duffy, warden of San Quentin. Actual Prison Scenes In Film Hitherto forbidden scenes within the walls of California’s San Quentin Prison form the background of much of the dramatic action in “Prison Mutiny,” the Monogram picture which comes to the ........ theatre on , with Edward Norris, Joan Woodbury and Jack La Rue in featured roles. San Quentin is the largest penitentiary in the United States, with more than 6,000 prisoners confined in its cells. Through the cooperation of Clinton T. Duffy, warden of the instsitution, Monogram cameramen were permitted to photograph scenes throughout the prison, including not only the “yard” where the inmates secure their exercise, but. interior work departments and cell blocks. Many of these scenes were incorporated in the picture, while others formed backgrounds for closeup scenes of the players in the film story. The cast supporting the featured trio includes Paul McVey, Milburn Stone, Sam Bernard, Mauritz Hugo, Charles Jordan and Kenneth Harlan. ‘Prison Mutiny” was produced by Lindsley Parsons and directed and Albert Beich wrote the screenplay. © 0 eye po) 8 wees Prison Wardens’ Methods Film Drama Respective merits of two sharply¥* volving kindness and the honor system, and conditions generally are somewhat improved, though the inew regime is not effective in pre venting an attempted jailbreak which reaches a high point in thrilling excitement. The entire film furnishes a realistic picture of the unfortunate conditions which exist of necessity in any penitentiary, and forms a story background which is in itself powerfully dramatic. E “Prison Mutiny” was directed by Phil Rosen from a screenplay by Albert Beich, and the cast appearing with Norris, Miss Woodbury and La Rue includes Selmer Jackson, Milburn Stone, Paul McVey and Sam Bernard. Lindsley Parsons produced the picture.