58078!
Here he comes.
I wonder who they're gonna knock off today.
Harrison, 35923.
Conklin, 52425.
It's for you, Bill.
The captain wants to see you on the porch.
Gilman, 38216.
I know what this means. Two weeks in solitary.
And all I said was the captain of the yard had stinkweed for a family tree.
So long, boys.
What's all this stuff about the captain's porch?
Sounds like a tea party to me.
Listen, fish. You'll learn.
Stay away from that porch.
- 50878, Hastings. - Yes, sir.
Privileges suspended till further notice.
52425, Conklin.
- Conklin! - Yes, sir.
Ten days' solitary.
- What's that? - Twenty days in solitary.
- I thought you said 10 days, sir. - I said 30. Do you hear that?
Keep your mouth shut.
He's liable to keep paying you back until you're there the rest of your life.
Druggin, the warden wants to see you right away.
All right. Take charge.
- Druggin gave Bill 30 days. - For what?
Some day I'm gonna kill that guy.
Bill didn't do anything. He's deaf.
He didn't hear him and he didn't hear him yesterday.
Stick him in solitary.
Put us all in the cooler! Beat our brains out, Druggin!
Take a bath in our blood. It'll make you sleep better, you...
- Shut up, you. - I won't shut up.
I'll tell that guy what I think of him. I'll kill that...
- Druggin will get his... - All right!
Hang on!
- Druggin will get this. - Stand back, there!
Line up!
Get their numbers!
You guys'll be back on the porch tomorrow.
- Wanted to see me, sir? - Yes, Druggin.
I've just been notified that Captain Jameson will be here Thursday.
- He'll be the new captain of the yard. - You mean I'm out?
No. You'll return to your old post. Operations Lieutenant.
It was understood that you were only temporary, Captain.
Yeah, but I thought if I handled the job all right I could keep it.
If you'd handled it all right, Jameson wouldn't be coming in.
Well, that's a fine reward for 10 years' service.
You're not the man for the job, Druggin. You've proved that.
- What do you mean I'm not... - Now wait a minute.
You're as good as any officer I've known
on handling the general routine of a prison.
But you can't handle these convicts.
You don't understand them. You don't know men.
A while ago, it was small riots.
Now it's open rebellion one time after another.
The public's demanding that it be stopped and they're right.
They're on the prison board's neck, and the board's on mine.
That's why Jameson's coming in.
Who is this great man-handler Jameson?
He's one of the best training officers in the United States Army.
He's on special leave to work with us
and I expect you to give him your fullest cooperation.
That's all.
Well, you better tell him to look to his spurs.
Some of these guys around here might steal them.
Losing out to a tin soldier. I must...
Nope. You can't rib me about this prison routine.
It's training men and I like the job.
What's the difference if it's behind stone walls or an army camp?
- What's the difference? - Wait till you're locked behind those walls.
You'll wish you were back on an army post.
Yeah. It's too bad, Steve. I certainly hate to think of you
molding away up there for two years so far from the world.
Away from all this!
It's your last night out. You better make the most of it.
Yeah. I've been giving that a lot of thought, too.
- Now, there's something for tired eyes. - And ears.
Look out, Steve,
training one woman is worse than a whole company of citizen recruits.
I know.
Yeah, but look at all the fun you have training them.
Hi, beautiful! Now, don't go away.
- Hello, Sergeant, where's the war? - Haven't you read the papers?
We're fighting the Indians 'cause they won't take the country back.
- Really, Sergeant? - And don't call me sergeant.
Well, I won't if you promise to tell me what you are.
- Don't you know what two bars mean? - Sure. Twice as many drunks as one bar.
Waiter!
Have you got a pencil and a piece of paper, please?
It's about time for reveille, isn't it?
It's more like taps for Steve.
- What's your name, gorgeous? - May.
Oh, no. May what?
Do you mean to tell me you missed it on the poster outside?
It's De Villiers.
De... Can you spell that?
- K-E-N-N-E-D-Y. - Oh, I get it.
French with an Irish accent, huh?
- How long have you been here? - I just got in today from Texas.
Where are you headed? The Presidio or Manila or Shanghai?
Well, if it was Shanghai, would it break your heart?
No. But you could send me a postcard of the geisha girls.
- They're in Japan. - I know.
But if they knew you were in China, they'd swim over.
Say, I think you and I are gonna get along all right.
Pardon me.
Excuse me.
We're not intruding, are we?
No. Yes. Sit down.
Joe!
Hello, Sis.
- Say, listen, Sis, have you got any money? - Yeah, a little.
What's the matter, Joe? In trouble?
Do you only think I come to you when I'm in trouble?
No, it's good news this time. I got a job up in Seattle
- if I can make it looking halfway decent. - Oh, I'm so glad.
- What kind of a job, Joe? - Well, I haven't got time to tell you now.
- Will you get me the money? - Yeah, wait a minute.
- And, Sis, hurry up. - Okay.
- Table, sir? - No, never mind.
He just came in the back entrance.
This is all I can spare, darling. I wish it were more.
Oh, thanks, Sis. You're a pal.
- So long, kid. I'll write you. - Okay.
Look out, Sis!
- Okay, Red, we got you. - Joe, don't!
Somebody got shot.
There is nothing to be excited about.
- Let me through here. - Let him through.
Joe, what's this mean?
It means, girlie, that your friend here tried to stick up a restaurant.
That rap in jail last year didn't teach you anything, did it?
- What's he doing here with you? - She's okay, Chief.
I heard the whole thing from out in the alley.
He gave her a line about a job in Seattle and then made a touch.
Tough on kids like you.
Come on, Kennedy.
I'm sorry.
- Your brother? - Yeah.
Don't take it too tough, kid. Maybe they'll go easy on him.
No, they won't. Not this time.
- Oh, May! - That's my cue!
Well, Jameson, there's your new army.
Looks like a man-sized job.
Well, what they need is the self-respect
of belonging to a properly disciplined group.
Now, many of those men are here just because they had bad breaks.
They're not born criminals,
and we don't want to turn them into criminals.
Well, if the army'll help them any, I'm all for it.
- When do I start? - You started.
Come on. Now that you've seen them, we'll let them have a look at you.
Blow the whistle and fall them in.
Fall in!
Fall in.
- Pipe the new captain of the yard. - New captain of the yard?
There goes the army.
Click your heels, boys. There goes the tin soldier.
Oh, Druggin, I want you to meet the new captain of the yard.
Captain Jameson, this is Lieutenant Druggin.
- He's been acting captain. - Lieutenant, I'm glad to know you.
How do you do, sir?
Come on now and meet the boys.
Hey, son, put that bench over here for me, will you, please?
All right, Captain.
Boys, this is Captain Jameson, the new captain of the yard.
Hooray!
Hello, boys.
I'm not much on making speeches. I don't believe in them.
I don't think you want to hear them anyway.
I figure actions count a lot more than words.
Now, all I ask for is order and discipline.
If anyone feels like getting funny, I'll guarantee I'll get the last laugh.
Hey, you. Come here.
Who? Me?
Yes, you! Number seven, row three, with the broken beak. Come on up.
- He gets solitary for that. - He gets what I give him.
You heard me, I said come up here.
Can you tie that?
He must have eyes in the back of his head.
- So you're a crooner, huh? - Yeah, I'm a crooner.
Well, that's fine. Let's hear you croon.
Go on. Sing nice and loud so all your pals can hear you.
Go on. Get up there and sing!
I got it up too low.
All right, Lieutenant. Start your line.
Come on.
Get back up there!
This way.
Hello, Gus. Got my room ready for me?
Well, if it isn't 'Sailor Boy' Hansen.
I'm sorry, but they put a guest in your room for the weekend.
You can have it as soon as he leaves though.
Weekend? What do you mean, weekend?
- Ten years. - Come on.
Hoffman, you've been doing fine.
I'm gonna take you out of the machine shop.
What do you want, the road gang or the laundry?
The road gang, sir.
All right. Report for duty at the office in the morning.
Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.
- That's all. - Let's go.
Outside.
Boy, what wouldn't I give for a good dose of hay fever
or even to get a sniff at the backfire of an old flivver.
- How are you, Sailor Boy? - How do I look?
Well, Hansen, you kind of like it up here, don't you?
It's the State's idea, Captain. Not mine.
Yeah. Well, looks like you'll be here for quite a while.
Get your receipt at the office.
Well, now that you've had a good look at my face, how do you like it?
I don't like it. I've seen it before.
- Oh, yeah? Where? - Forget it. Maybe I will, too.
Well, Kennedy, you've been pretty busy for a fellow your age, haven't you?
Well, I been around.
Yeah, well, you won't be getting around so much now.
You know, if you're smart, you'll turn your sentence to advantage.
Maybe you'll learn a trade.
Supposing I don't wanna?
You'll learn one anyway and like it.
Come on.
- Got any folks on the outside, Kennedy? - Yeah, a sister.
- She got any dough? - Nope.
That's too bad.
You need it to buy the luxuries you can have around here.
- Yeah? What luxuries? - Oh, tobacco and chocolate.
And believe me, you get to wanting them around this college.
- Pretty nice campus, ain't it? - Yeah, it's big.
Well, it may look big to you now. Wait till you been here for a stretch.
You feel like you're in a telephone booth with four other guys and no telephone.
- Hiya, Sailor Boy. - Hello, kid.
I just heard you got back. I been looking for you.
- How's all that Spring Street gang? - Oh, they're swell.
Pete's doing a six month stretch for the county and Duffy,
Duffy's running book at a new joint. It's great. And Louis, you remember Louis?
- The guy with the gunboats for the feet? - Sure.
Well, he got himself a job on the dock,
tripped over a hawser and fell into the drink.
He's still standing on the bottom
waiting for someone to tell him to come up.
- Did you see Casey? - Forget them slobs!
What about the dames? Say, did you see Gladys?
- Did she get my letter? - No, I didn't see her.
You're a fine pal, not to look her up.
I heard she had moved. That's the trouble with you, Mickey.
You're driving yourself stir crazy thinking about that dame.
Forget her. She'll be so old when you got out of here,
you won't even know her from your own grandmother.
- It's kind of tough on you guys. - Yeah.
- You'll soon learn, fish. - Oh, not me. I'll be out of here like a shot.
I got pals on the outside that can pull wires.
Honest, kid?
- Think you can do something for me? - I'll see what I can do when I get out.
Gee, thanks.
You know, I really got here on a bum rap.
- 58... - Say...
We got a fresh fish over there, number 53834.
- You wanna do your stuff? - Sure.
- Okay. Wait till I get back there, will you? - All right.
I'll never sit in a cell and go stir crazy.
Too many people want me in circulation.
- 53834! - That's you, Red.
Hey, that's me. What's up?
Get your stuff from your cell. You're going back to San Francisco.
- Gee, they sprung you. - A pardon!
- Can you beat that? He wasn't kidding. - I'll say I wasn't!
- Well, so long. It's nice to have known you. - So long.
Hey, turkey, open up.
Where do you think you're going?
I gotta get my stuff out of my cell. I've been pardoned. Open it up, will you?
Go on, you fat head. Get back in the yard. They've been ribbing you.
If you got a pardon, I got $1 million.
Let him have his stuff!
Let him have his clothes! He's got a pardon!
What's the matter, Red? Forget something?
You said it.
Here, come on. What's the idea?
Break this. Come on.
Why, you crazy fish, you can't do that to me.
Come on, here, straighten up. You know it's against the rules to fight.
- What've you got to say for yourself? - Nothing.
You must like solitary confinement
'cause that's where you're gonna begin this stretch.
- Take him away. - Come on.
You only came in yesterday.
You're trying to show us how tough you are already, eh?
- Shut up and give me the works. - All right. You asked for it.
We'll let the captain of the yard give you the answer.
Come on with me.
Now take it easy, I can walk.
- What is it, Lieutenant? - Kennedy, he came in yesterday,
he started a fight with his cellmate.
How do you know he started it?
I know everything that goes on in this prison, Captain.
Kennedy started blowing off about the big shots he knew
and how they're gonna have him out of here in no time.
All right. So what?
So the boys pulled a gag on him and he couldn't take it.
He got sore and he started a fight. I know the type.
The way to handle them is to break them right in the beginning.
Show them where to head in before they got started.
My advice to you is to give this guy solitary for a month.
When I want your advice, I'll ask for it.
That's all, Druggin.
Stand up straight.
One of those tough guys that can hand it out, but can't take it, huh?
I can do both, but I won't take anything from them lugs.
You're getting off to a bad start, Kennedy.
Five years in the reform school, a year in the county jail,
you come in here for assault with a deadly weapon.
You're asking for solitary right off the bat.
You left out one thing.
I kicked a guy in the face once because he was a cop.
Oh, yeah? A tinhorn hoodlum, huh?
Let me tell you something, Kennedy. You got a lot to learn.
Too bad you weren't in the army.
It might've done you a lot of good.
Learn how to got along with the crowd,
have some respect for others, it might've made you a lot happier.
All right, guard.
Well, it's your first offense.
Privileges suspended for a month. Solitary, four days.
That's it, Siberia.
Oh, and, Kennedy,
you might give that army idea a lot of thought.
Do you a lot of good.
- One? - Please.
This way.
Thank you.
What you got on here that's good?
Everything. May I recommend the lobster?
- Or the sweetbreads à la... - Never mind.
Hello. I was just going in to see you.
Hello, yourself. Too bad you missed the floor show.
- We had some new routines. - That's all right.
You're the important one. You're the one I want to see.
Well, why the store clothes? Have you left the service?
No, not exactly, but I've got sort of an outside assignment.
Oh, can't talk about it, huh?
Yeah, something like that. Well, that's the way it's worked out.
- Say, can I make a suggestion? - Sure. Go ahead.
Let's drop by and get something to eat before you go home.
Well, I wouldn't mind going home and shaking up a pan of ham and eggs myself,
that is, if you like home cooking.
I don't wanna hear anybody knock it.
Say, I got a nice yellow job outside. Taxi!
It doesn't look as if you get much home cooking.
Well, they don't let you carry your own cook in the army.
- Want some more coffee? - All right. Thanks.
I don't mind staying awake all night.
- You worry about him a lot, don't you? - Yeah.
You saw him arrested. They sent him to prison.
Well, I'll tell you, May,
it's not gonna do any good worrying about it.
Yeah, I know, but I can't help it.
He's in for 10 years, and I know what it'll do to him.
It'll break him. His spirit, everything.
I saw what the reform school did for him.
He was just a roughneck kid before that, like any of the rest.
Prison will finish the job of making him a criminal.
On the other hand, it might do him a lot of good.
Oh, no, it won't. Not what they're doing to him.
He's been up there a month, and they've thrown him into solitary cells
on bread and water, and taken his privileges away from him.
I can't even see him. I've tried to. I've been up there.
Guards and officers, they should be called animal trainers.
You haven't got much use for those guards, have you?
I hate the very thought of them.
Yeah.
Sit right over there.
Kennedy!
Hello, Sis.
I've been here every Sunday for the past month,
but they wouldn't let me see you.
Joe, what did they put you in the dungeon for?
- What did you do? - Nothing. The guy that's running the joint.
It's his big idea to show you how tough he is,
before you've even had a chance to turn around.
But you must have done something. You must have broken some rule.
Well, I had a fight, but nobody told me it was against the rules.
But you don't have to worry about that.
- Did you bring the dough? - Yeah.
- Are you sure it's all right, Joe? - Sure, it's all right.
Give me that money.
I'll have to report this to the office, lady.
It's against the rules to give prisoners money.
I thought you said it was all right.
Well, if a guy wants some good food and a smoke once in a while.
These turkeys think you can live on memories.
There's a Miss Kennedy in there.
Tried to sneak this cash to her brother. You want his number?
Yeah. And tell the dame I want to see her on her way out.
Kennedy.
So long, kid.
The lieutenant wants to speak to you, miss.
All right.
This is Miss Kennedy, Lieutenant.
What's the idea of passing money to a prisoner?
I didn't know it was against the rules.
Come on, sister, I'm reporting you to the captain.
Your sightseeing days in this pen are over.
Sit down.
The captain will be right over from the yard.
- May. - I don't understand.
Well, I guess you two don't need an introduction.
What's this all about, Lieutenant?
She was caught passing money to Red Kennedy, her brother.
According to the book of rules, that's a serious offense.
Okay. I'll handle this myself.
And I'll handle Kennedy.
Why didn't you tell me?
Well, I was going to until you told me what you thought about prison guards.
Well, you didn't need to lie to me.
Don't get me wrong, May, I didn't lie to you.
I wanted to wait until I had some good news about your brother
before I told you anything else.
Good news, you've got a beautiful sense of humor.
Privileges suspended, thrown into a dungeon, for what?
Because it might make a man out of him.
Make him tough and bitter and hopeless and ashamed.
Now you wait a minute. You listen to me.
I've handled men all my life.
I ought to know something about them.
I think Red's got a lot of stuff in him.
But I wanna bring it out in my way. That's why I'm here.
It's my job.
Suspend Kennedy's privileges for a month.
- Is that all? - No. Change his cell.
He shouldn't have been with those second-timers
- in the first place. - Where will I put him, in the cooler?
Put him where he belongs, with the first offenders.
That's all.
Captain of the yard! Inspection!
- Whose is that lower bunk? - Mine, sir.
What's the matter? Don't you know how to fold your blankets properly?
No, sir, I just got here yesterday.
You been here long enough. Why don't you show him?
Yes, sir.
- Oh, Captain. - Yes, Rogers?
Your soul, Captain.
- Has it been saved? - Yes.
I understand, fella. Take it easy.
Dopey shouldn't be in prison, Captain.
When the board meets, I'm gonna have him transferred.
Well, Simpson. Writing again, huh?
- How's the story coming? - Fine, Captain. I'm almost finished.
Here, read this.
Well, I'll wait till after it's published.
You know, I never could understand how a man with your brains
ever got into a place like this.
Well, I couldn't live on rejection slips.
I didn't start getting checks till I got in here.
- Maybe the address impressed them. - Yes, sir.
- Who are you? - Dorgan, Captain.
Oh, yes, Dorgan.
I'm a writer, too.
Oh, I think I remember now.
It was writing other people's names on checks, wasn't it?
Correct, Captain.
Trouble was I retired so long, I got out of practice.
Well, how do you like your new cell, Kennedy?
It's all right.
I'd like it better if I could take a walk or go to a ball game
or even do some work.
Well, your privileges will be restored tomorrow.
There'll be a machine waiting for you in one of the shops.
It's the first time I ever heard work called a privilege.
Well, maybe you'll think differently after tomorrow.
There are other jobs in here, a lot easier to take.
You just toe the line, stick to the rules
and, before you know it, they'll be knocking time off your sentence.
Jameson's a swell guy. Simpson ought to put him in his story.
Yeah, he's just another copper to me.
- You know how to run this machine? - Sure.
- We're old friends. - All right. Go to it.
Not sore, are you?
No, I just lost my temper at that punk joke.
You can fight. I like a guy that fights hard.
Yeah, I can fight.
Takes nerve to fight your way out of a tough spot.
- What do you mean, tough spot? - This one.
Not me.
I'm gonna work my way out of this shop.
Yeah? Then what?
- I don't know. Do you? - Sure I know. I'll tell you.
They tell me you tried to go over the wall the last time you were in here,
but you couldn't make it.
They were waiting for you at the top, weren't they?
Yeah.
But I've been thinking. A wall is bad business.
Here they are. All four of them and we're on the inside.
- There's no way to go around them. - Or over them or under them.
- Give me the lowdown. - The road gang, Red.
When you're on the road gang, you're on the outside of those walls.
All you got to do is to thumb a passing car
and ride away.
How do you make the road gang? I thought it was a privilege.
By keeping the nose clean.
Boys, have your souls been saved?
Brothers, I bring you a message of eternal salvation.
If you will...
There you are.
You godless men! Hellfire shall be your lot.
Your souls shall burn till Judgment Day!
Break it up! Break it up! Sit down there!
Now, let this man alone.
Come on, Red. Are you gonna finish this game or not?
- Hiya, Sailor. - Hi, kid.
Well, if it ain't Red.
How's all your influential friends? Still pulling wires for you?
Nix on that stuff, Red, you know where a fight lands you.
- What's going on here? - Oh, nothing.
Come on, Red. Let's finish the game. What do you say?
Hey, Hank. Hank!
Get back. Get back there!
- Look out! - Look out!
Stop!
Stop! Don't trifle with me. You see what the guard got?
Stand back, all of you, and listen!
You scoffed when I wanted to bring you salvation.
Don't shoot.
You laughed when I told you to repent.
- Choose now, ye blasphemers. - Come on, break it up.
...whether ye shall repent and be saved, for I am the instrument of Providence.
Woe be unto you if you do not see the light,
for I'll wipe you from the face of the earth.
- Put down that gun, Rogers. - Stay where you are!
Stand back. Stand back. Stand back or I'll...
Come on, Rogers, put down that gun.
How are the boys gonna repent if you don't give them a chance?
Pull yourself together, fella.
You haven't got anything to fear from me. You know that, don't you?
Sure, Captain.
You're the only one that's never laughed at my message.
But you let these men scoff at me when I would show them the way of truth.
They beat me and spat upon me and you did nothing to stop them.
You, too, are one with them, Captain! Stand back!
Take it easy, Rogers.
The boys'll all listen to you if you only give them a chance.
But you've gotta take it easy.
Lay off!
Lay off! Take him away!
Where to, the dungeon, Captain?
No, to the hospital. That man is mentally sick.
Recall me. I'll bring them salvation!
Boy, that was a close one.
- That took plenty of nerve. - It sure did.
I don't know. Anybody could have done what he did.
Yeah, but nobody did.
58648.
Burnett, 49863.
- Kennedy, 53834. - Yeah?
Report to the porch.
Richardson, 52...
53834, Kennedy.
The names and numbers I called, get up on the porch
to report for road gang duty in the morning.
- Why didn't I get it? - What's the idea?
All right! Shut up! Get back in line!
Captain of the yard's orders.
- How do you rate it? - Maybe they changed the rules.
What kind of a raw deal is this?
I've been rating that road gang for six weeks
and I'm still cleaning out.
That guy, Jameson, pulling some of that military stuff.
- He can't get away with it. - Oh, no?
"Oh, no," is right. Not if you guys got the nerve to brace him. I'm gonna.
- Lieutenant. - Get back there.
Ain't you forgot a few numbers?
I've been rating the road gang since way back.
- Check! - Me, too.
What's the idea?
Captain's orders. I got nothing to do with it.
What's he doing, boys? Trying to gyp us out of our rights?
- Captain's orders. Break it up. - Oh, come on...
Break it up!
All right, go on.
How do you like that for a raw deal?
So it's come to you gotta be a fink to make the fresh air squad.
Only the fresh fish get the good jobs in this pen.
We earn them and they get them.
That captain's so crooked, he ought to be wearing a number.
If you play straight, you can suck jute dust in your lungs for life.
I'll show him.
If I don't go to work on that road gang, I don't go to work anywhere else.
Well, I'm staying right here in this yard
until that tinhorn captain gets wise to himself.
- Me, too. - I'm with you, Muggsy.
- Same here. - Let's strike.
- Sure. - Yeah.
The captain's cheating us out of our privileges.
Let's show him, no work.
Now, remember, we strike.
We don't go to work when that whistle blows.
Nix, dummy up.
- Why don't you play the deuce? - Gangway.
Break it up.
Remember, no work!
Come on, break up.
Come on, break it up. Come on.
Break it up. Come on.
What's the matter? Can't you hear that whistle? Go back to work.
- There ain't gonna be no work. - Oh, no?
No, none of us goes to work.
We'll see about that.
You yellow monkey.
The men won't go back to work, sir.
- Why not? - I don't know.
It's the answer to your new road gang orders, Captain.
- The men won't clear the yard, Captain. - They'll clear...
- You're not going in the yard? - Yes, I'm going in the yard.
That's a swell bid for your own finish. They'll kill you.
No, I don't think so.
Quiet, all of you!
All right. What's this all about?
You know what it's about, Captain.
You're trying to double-cross us on the good jobs.
Quiet!
You heard that whistle. Back to your jobs, all of you.
Nothing doing. We won't go back to work!
All right, then don't. Back to your cells. Till you decide to obey orders, no chow.
Quiet!
I want this yard cleared in two minutes. That's it. Lock up.
Come on.
Better turn out the lights.
Hello, Bay City Press. Let me talk to Slim Mackey.
Hello, Slim. Sharpen up your pencil. I got a story for you.
Regardless of your plans, we can't tolerate conditions
that get this kind of headlines in the papers.
So that's the reason you countermanded my road gang assignments.
Afraid of the headlines, huh?
No. We did it because it's obvious this plan won't work.
How do you know it won't work?
You checked my first order before it goes into effect.
But this riot.
That riot was over at 7:00 the following morning.
The men had breakfast and went back to work.
Now, you brought me here to get results.
I came out of the army where we do get results.
However, if they prove unsatisfactory, I'll admit that I've failed.
It's not that, Captain. We know your ability and your record.
But this extreme measure of taking earned privileges from the men
is hard even for us to accept.
Mr. Barrett, there are two types of men in this prison.
Now, the first group, no matter what you do for them, they'll never reform.
They're habitual criminals. They've spent most of their lives in prison.
They're very clever at earning credits to get themselves the softest jobs.
They ask to go on the road gangs primarily with the hope of escape.
Now the second group are definitely trying to reform. They're sincere.
And they deserve rewards.
And if I stay on here, I'm gonna see to it that they get them.
Gentlemen, I'm convinced that Jameson is right.
And, if you'll allow me to give him a free hand,
I'm sure that he'll give you the results you want.
All right, Jameson. Go ahead. But we must have order and discipline.
All right, you'll get it.
I'd like to speak to Captain Jameson, please.
We don't allow ladies in the yard. I'll have to call his office.
- What's the name? - Just tell him a lady wants to see him.
Tell Captain Jameson a lady would like to see him.
Eyes front, there.
- A lady here to see me? - Yes, sir. She's right over there.
- You wanted to see me? - Why, yes, Steve, I...
Now, wait a minute.
Before you start taking any swings at me, you go and talk to that brother of yours.
He's been behaving himself, May. He's getting along fine.
I did talk to him, Steve. Just now. That's why I'm here.
Ho told me how you saved his life and the others'
by taking that gun away from a madman.
I wanted to thank you.
Well, I'm afraid I wasn't thinking of anybody but myself just then.
No, it was swell.
I want to apologize for everything I said to you.
Oh, I was afraid for Joe, but he says you've been grand to him.
Well, he's earned it lately.
He's been taking a different attitude on things.
I know it. He never wanted to be square with people before.
He's got a lot of stuff in him, May. Don't you worry about him.
Well, I won't from now on.
Well, now that the war's over,
do you think it's safe to go to San Francisco?
Oh, I think it might be safe to come over tonight
and try some more home cooking.
- I'm practically there. - Okay, I'll see you.
Don't be surprised if that con Red Kennedy ends up with my job tomorrow.
What are you looking so gloomy about?
Gee, Sailor. It ain't doing me any good having you here in stir.
I'll believe you, but only because I ain't got time to argue.
Now get a load of this and get it straight.
I got a chance of getting on the road gang.
That's tough, dearie. What was you doing, fighting again?
No. What do you mean, tough?
I've been working for it ever since I got in here.
Hey, have you still got that old bus of yours?
Sure, but it'll be just a bunch of spare parts by the time you get out.
Yeah? That's where you're wrong. Listen.
The road gang is working on the inland highway
about two miles west of where Route 28 crosses it.
If I make it, I'll let you know.
Now all you gotta do is to drive by there every morning
like you was going to work.
You know, so the guards will get to know you. And then...
I'm sure it'll be good news for you this time.
- I'll let you know. - Thanks.
And then keep your eye peeled for a signal from me. That's all.
There's the complete road gang list. Start tomorrow morning.
- Parole board okayed your plans, eh? - Yeah, they okayed them.
Long chance to take after those fireworks, Captain.
What if it don't work? They'll stop the rest of your plans, won't they?
They'll probably fire me.
Aren't you a little concerned about what's going to happen to me?
And about what's going to happen to me, too.
If a real riot breaks out in this place,
I got as good a chance as you of getting a knife in the ribs.
Yeah. Well, we'll have to see that doesn't happen.
Change that list of cards over from the machine shop
to the road assignment file. That's all.
Yes, sir.
Hey, you drop that?
Well, pick it up. You know better than to dirty up the yard.
- What do you got? - Sailor Boy's planning a road gang break.
- He isn't even on a road gang. - Well, I don't know. I heard him talking.
Wait a minute. I didn't dismiss you yet.
You've been a pretty good con. How'd you like to go on a road gang?
- Might be able to do yourself a lot of good. - Yes, sir.
Well, get up on the porch.
- Keep moving, boys. - Okay. Take it away.
Hey, pop!
- Give us a drink of water, will you? - Tired, son?
This road work is tough on a beginner.
Well, anything's better than that big house.
You're right, kid. Take it from an old man that's put 24 years of his life in stir.
If you've got time to do, do it the easy way.
Do it the hard way and they'll break you.
Do your time and make a fresh start.
You know, anybody'd ever told me a year ago
that I'd enjoy digging out the side of a mountain,
I'd have said they was crazy.
That's the trouble with you, Red. You're fresh air daffy.
I don't suppose you'd like to make a break and be on the outside away from them.
And spend the rest of my life hiding out? What good would it do you?
You'd find out what good it'd do you if we could kiss this outfit goodbye.
- Oh, like that, eh? - Sure.
Look.
When I give her the high sign, she'll be all set on the next time through.
I need a guy like you, Red,
a guy that knows how to handle himself in a tight spot.
And believe me, the going's liable to get tough.
- You want to break with me, kid? - Not me, Sailor.
- Yellow? - Yeah.
Just as yellow as I was when I took a sock at you.
All right, all right. I thought I'd do you a favor.
I thought maybe you'd like to be out with a dame one of these nights
instead of listening to 60 cons snoring in the bunkhouse.
My term isn't as long as yours, Sailor. I'm working it out.
A couple of years of behaving myself and I'll be out on the right side.
All right, boys.
How do you like the road gang, Red?
That pick and shovel business will put you in shape.
It's all right when you get used to it, only I ain't used to it.
Well, if it ain't my old pal, Red! How did you make the road gang, fella?
You had plenty of trouble when you first come in.
Why, Red's a friend of the governor's. Ain't you, pal?
You remember, fellas,
Red's got all them big-shot friends on the outside.
Button it up, you guys, I'm tired.
Red's got a better in than the governor.
He's got a good-looking sister.
Hey, listen. You can crack all you want to about me,
- but lay off my sister, you hear? - Take your mitts off of me.
I didn't mean anything.
That is, no more than the whole prison knows.
Yeah? What does the whole prison know?
You think Captain Jameson's swell to you
because he thinks you're a great guy?
How do I know what he thinks?
He's treating you pretty swell just the same!
- And he's calling on your sister! - Why, you...
All right, Red. Let's cut it out.
What's going on here?
Why... Why nothing, mister. We was just clowning.
Well, cut out the clowning.
You crazy fool.
That won't get you any place but back in the icebox.
I'll make that guy eat those words if I have to spend a year in solitary.
- Hey, Sailor. - Yeah?
That guy on the level with that crack about my sister?
He's right. It's been all over the prison for weeks.
It's a wonder you didn't get wise sooner.
It was all too phony, you being treated with kid gloves.
- Jameson, huh? - Yeah.
He's been seeing her in the prison, too, every time she comes to visit you.
Yeah?
I'll have to give these guys something else to talk about.
Some day Jameson will go across the bay and he won't come back.
- When do we break, Sailor? - Now you're talking, Red.
- Hello. How are things going? - Okay. We're up to schedule.
The Highway Commission's gonna look you over
in about an hour or so. Keep this gang hopping.
Come on! Get going.
What're you doing here, Sailor? Somebody paying off for you, too?
Easy, Red.
I don't get you, Lieutenant.
You will.
It won't be long now, kid. She's due any minute.
Here she comes now.
- What do we do, make a run for it? - No.
Move on, lady.
- You can't stop here. - I can't help it. I got a flat.
- Give me a hand with it, will you? - Sure, lady. Sure.
And which one of these cons will I give my gun to hold for me?
Ain't I dumb?
Well, I tell you what. Let a couple of your boys do it.
I'll take the wheel barrow. Follow me.
- It's not according to regulations, lady. - Neither is a flat tire.
Come on. You wouldn't have a girl spend the night out here alone, would you?
All right. I guess we can fix you up.
Hey! You two. Over here and change tires.
- Sure, we'll do it. - Make it snappy.
Thanks, Captain. This is swell of you.
If I was late again tonight, it would have cost me my job.
That's all right. Just switch off your motor.
I'll take the key, lady.
- Where are the tools? - Over there.
Unlock the tire and the tools, will you, Captain?
- Thanks. This is swell of you. - That's all right, lady.
- How long will this camp be here? - Till this road's finished.
- Well, do they get paid for this? - Sure they get paid for it.
They pay for their own food, clothing and tobacco.
The rest is credited to their account at the prison.
They get it when they go free.
Do all the prisoners get a chance to make this road gang?
No. Only the short-termers and those that rate it with good behavior.
- Now can I give the boys anything? - No charge, lady. This one's on the State.
- What's going on here? - Please, don't bawl him out, mister.
He let these two boys change a flat tire for me.
It was swell of him. I couldn't have...
Stick 'em up, Druggin! Get behind the wheel, Red.
- Turn around! - Help!
Come on, Red! Get in the track and move it, will you?
Stop shooting. They've got Druggin in that car.
Okay. Get back there. Get back there. Come on, get back there!
Stay back.
Ain't this swell?
- Now, listen, Sailor. - Yeah, keep him covered.
I've been waiting for years to get my hands on you, you mug.
Don't do that, Sailor. Listen. I'm the one that got you the chance!
- I got you on the road gang. - Well, ain't that swell?
- Now, ain't you glad you did it? - Listen, I'm your friend!
- Yeah, a pal. - No, don't! Don't, Sailor!
Don't do that, Sailor! Sailor! No!
- Where are the clothes? - Right at your feet.
Oh, yeah. Here you are, Red.
A break in the road gang.
- Who were they? - We don't know yet.
We haven't got the count. They're headed east.
A heavy touring car. License number 2X8193.
Call the Sheriff's office.
Two men escaped from the road gang!
Notify all departments. Big touring car, 2X8193.
And I'll be in the warden's office.
Sheriff's office.
Come on, Red! Step on it. They're picking up on us.
Try to get their gas tank or a tire.
- How much gas did you put in? - It was a full tank.
The gauge shows empty.
Calling all cars.
Two men escaped from State Penitentiary road gang.
Headed east in touring car.
- Here comes a car. Let's grab it. - Okay. Hang on.
Leave your motor running. Come on, get outside.
You, too, sister. Hurry it up!
Ditch the car up the road. We'll see you later.
Come on, Red. Knock on it, will you?
Beat this train, Red, and we're all set.
Sailor? Sailor?
This one's dead, Sheriff.
But how did Hansen get on the road gang?
I don't know and there's not much chance of finding out now with Druggin dead.
Yes?
- It's for you, Jameson. - Oh, thanks.
Hello?
Thank you.
Well, they found the car wrecked and Hansen's dead.
- What about Kennedy? - He got away.
And you asked the parole board to judge your plans by results.
You haven't got much chance now, Steve. It'll be proof your judgment's wrong.
Yeah, but Hansen's break proves something else.
It proved I was right about keeping that other crowd off the list.
Maybe, but they'll still hold Kennedy against you.
And he was gonna be your shining example.
You know, it's a funny thing. I can't figure that out.
Now, if this happened yesterday, he wouldn't have made that break
even if somebody left the gates open for him.
I don't know, Steve. When a man's on the level,
he doesn't repay kindness by sticking a knife in your back.
I'm afraid, for once you guessed wrong.
Well, I can settle that question.
- How? - I'm going out and find him.
What's the idea waking me up...
Red?
- What are you doing here? - Give me some.38s.
You crazy? Coming to town! Cops will be looking all over for you.
- You better get out of here. - I will.
But I gotta plug a guy first. Will you get me a box of slugs?
Sure.
Further bulletins from the Press Radio Association
concerning the escaped convict will be announced as received.
I will repeat the description of Red Kennedy, who is still at large.
Twenty-five years old, 5'10"...
- That's him? - No. Too stocky. Kennedy's thin.
Steve, have you found out anything about him?
- You haven't seen him, have you? - No.
I don't know where he is. I'm nearly crazy.
- What happened? What made him do it? - I don't know.
- You're sure he hasn't been here? - No, Steve.
Oh, I'd do anything to straighten this out.
If I could only find him and talk to him. He must be mad.
When I talked to him he was happy.
He was going straight and he meant it.
They'll get him now and he won't have another chance.
- What reason did he have? - I don't know. I can't figure it out.
- I'll tell you, copper. - Joe!
Shut up! You been giving me favors
so you could kick her around in the gutter.
Thought you had her in a swell spot with me locked up.
Thought it was safe for you to come here.
Well, here's your second payoff.
- Joe, don't! - You keep out of it.
That's a lie, Red.
You're talking out of your head. Give me that gun!
Yeah, and all the slugs with it.
Joe! Don't! You can't! Please, listen to me.
We're in love! We've been in love ever since we met.
You've got to believe me.
- Steve, you're hurt! - No, I'm all right.
Can't you understand? He tried to help you.
He did everything he could.
He even risked his job trying to make a man out of you
and you pay him back by trying to kill him.
Sailor told you all these lies, huh?
- Or Druggin? - Yeah.
Well, Red, I gave you credit for having more sense than that.
Taking the word of a lot of rats against your sister.
Did it ever occur to you that Druggin framed this break
to ruin my chances of doing anything at the prison?
- Coppers? - Wait a minute. Let us handle this.
Come on, Joe. Quick, in here.
- Steve, you are hurt. - No, I'm all right.
- What is it, boys? - We heard some shots.
We're on special patrol to look for Kennedy, a con that broke...
That's what I'm here for, too. But there weren't any shots.
It must've been a backfire in the alley or something.
Kennedy's not here. I'll be responsible for this end of it.
And I want him a lot more than you.
I'm Jameson, captain of the yards, San Quentin.
All right, Captain.
- What'll we do? - I want to talk to Red.
Well, May, he's on his own.
Halt!
- Hey, give me a lift, will you? - Sure. Bet you your life.
- Jump in. - Thanks.
- It's pretty lonesome walking at night, eh? - Yeah, pretty lonesome.
My car broke down.
Where you go?
Drop me at San Quentin crossroads.
Sure. That's a long walk.
Yeah.
- You look pretty tired, huh? - Yeah.
Why don't you stay in your car till morning?
Got to get where I'm going.
Oh.
Halt! Who's there?
- Who is it? - Kennedy!
Get the doctor.
It's no use. I don't need him.
Tell...
Tell Jameson I come back.
Tell...
Tell the cons to play ball with him.
He's...
He's a swell...