Inside the Walls of Folsom Prison

We are inside Folsom Prison and warden Ted de Corsia (Rickey) rules with an iron rod. His method involves strict rules and unofficial punishments dished out in vengeance. New supervisor David Brian (Benson) arrives and has a radical new approach in dealing with the inmates. He is going to use psychology - a bit of understanding and more humane conditions - in order to get prisoners on side. This sets him up in contrast with de Corsia. Of course, none of this has any effect or bearing on the behaviour of prisoners and the inmates still want to escape. Cue Steve Cochran (Daniels) and his plan....

The best characters in the film are de Corsia with his wicked manner and Cochran with his cool kid 'Danny Zuko' jacket. He belongs in "Grease" (1978). Brian is bland as the leading good guy. Yet, somehow, this is a likable film.

Inside the Walls of Folsom Prison is written and directed by Crane Wilbur. It stars Steve Cochran, David Brian, Philip Carey and Ted de Corsia. Music is by William Lava and cinematography by Edwin B. DuPar.

The sadistic rule of Warden Ben Rickey (Corsia) at Folsom prison has brought the establishment to breaking point. Escape attempts and riots are now the order of the day. Can Mark Benson (Brian), the board of directors' specially assigned captain of the guards, actually make a difference?

There is no substitute for freedom!

Film Noir has some pretty great prison based movies, where the likes of "Brute Force", "Riot In Cell Block 11" and some French classics are simply must see movies for anyone interested in the genre in this film making style. Wilbur's movie is no classic, but it has enough requisite nous about it to ensure it's well worth the time of the discerning viewer.

The stereotypes and prison movie tropes are of course wholesome. We have another sadistic warden (Corsia enjoying himself), alpha male convict (the always ace Cochran), stool pigeons getting short shrift (hello dam buster) and bouts of brutal violence. Jostling within the pent up testosterone stew is the core question of if prison is a place of punishment or a correctional seat of change?.

Filmed on location inside the famous prison itself, we are taken aback from the off when the prison narrates to us as a first person - stentorian like (Charles Lung), it's a neat device that demands we listen to what the prison has to say!. Wilbur (also prison movie Canon City 1948) keeps things suitably atmospheric and sweaty, while DuPar (I Was a Communist for the FBI) photographs with moody monochrome strokes to emphasise the desperation of the incarcerated male.

It all builds to an explosively thrilling climax, a reward for those who stayed patient throughout the long stretches of dialogue. And then it's time for the prison to talk to us again, thanks Folsom, nice to meet your acquaintance. 7/10

The narrator of this film is William T. Woodson. He's done a lot of narrating and voice-overs down through the years, particularly the miniseries THE WINDS OF WAR and WAR AND REMEMBRANCE.

Woodson narrated the opening credits of THE INVADERS ("David Vincent knows..."). He also narrates the opening credits for THE ODD COUPLE: "Can two divorced men share the same apartment without driving each other crazy?"

He can also be seen in episodes of such varied television series as PERRY MASON, F TROOP, THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW as well as many others. According IMDb, his last known credit is for an episode of DUCKMAN in 1995.

"Inside the Walls of Folsom Prison", brutal warden Ted de Corsia (as Ben Rickey) cracks down hard on inmates who don't follow the rules, tripling sentences and making sure troublemakers are either shot dead or smacked upside the head. He favors hard-edged discipline, but newly arrived captain David Brian (as Mark Benson) wants Folsom to try a more humane approach with the prisoners. As the two men clash, the inmates contemplate the hellish conditions. Serving a life term, leader Steve Cochran (as Chuck Daniels) is planning an escape. Future "One Life to Live" star Philip Carey (as Red Pardue) wants to stay out of trouble...

Another in a long line of Warner Bros. productions encouraging better conditions those confined for wrongdoing, this one was written and directed by veteran actor Crane Wilbur. He makes the point. Supposedly, this film inspired Johnny Cash to write his classic "Folsom Prison Blues" (1955), but there are no train whistles, and plenty of sunshine herein; in fact, Mr. Cash copped his song from Gordon Jenkins' album "Seven Dreams" (1953). The escape plotted by Mr. Cochran is captivating. Early in the running time, "Dark Shadows" paroled convict Anthony George is the man holding the knife up near Mr. De Corsia's jugular.

****** Inside the Walls of Folsom Prison (5/18/51) Crane Wilbur ~ Steve Cochran, David Brian, Philip Carey, Ted de Corsia

Who narrates? A snippet of this film is played in "Walk The Line", and the snippet has turned me into a whirling dervish. The narrator voice I CANNOT get out of my head. I have been on the main message board already. Any help would be appreciated. The narrator sounds like the burning bush voice in The Ten Commandmants. I know it is supposed to be Heston as the God voice in the Ten Commandmants, but ......I am not sure. The two voices, narrator Inside Folsom Prison, burning bush Ten Commandmants sound the same to me and I Do not think it was Charlton Heston. I don't know how much can be done with sound manipulation in the 50's. Is anyone else hearing what I am hearing or am I just crazy? Please see main message board, Trivia for thread of answers. Thanks for any help.