Chain Gang

Leading man Douglas Kennedy's uncanny resemblance to tough guy Robert Ryan almost makes up for the lack of star names in this watchable B-movie. Kennedy is convincing as a crusading reporter who goes under cover as a chain-gang guard to expose the brutality of the penal system. Brandishing his high-tech (for the time) camera disguised as a cigarette lighter, he tries to conceal his bleeding heart liberal credentials secret from his oafish colleagues as he posts a series of shocking exposes.

The film's brief running time doesn't give director Lew Landers much of a chance to explore nuances of character or theme. But it's not giving anything away to say that the real villains here aren't the guys in the striped suits.

If you're a fan of this particular sub-genre of prison movies, you'll want to check out the infinitely superior Paul Muni vehicle, I Am a Fugitive From A Chain Gang.

Director Lew Landers churned out quickie programmers like sausages, many of them almost instantly forgettable, but this isn't one of them. It's a solid little epic about a reporter going undercover as a guard to expose the brutality and corruption of the chain-gang system. Stalwart Douglas Kennedy--usually a stolid second-lead or heavy--does a good job as the reporter, veteran character actor Emory Parnell as the corrupt head guard has a bigger part then he usually does and makes the most of it and little-known character actor William Phillips does a very good turn as hardened chain-gang convict Snead. This picture has a bit more bite to it than the usual Landers epic, it's tighter (somewhat reminiscent of Phil Karlson's work, but just somewhat) and faster-paced than connoisseurs of Landers' work are used to. Thurston Hall as the main heavy and William Tannen as his front man are also quite good, although Marjorie Lord drags things down a bit as Kennedy's girlfriend. Altogether, though, it's actually a pretty good little picture, and definitely one of Landers' better efforts.

Upon hearing about the brutality that is abound in the chain gang penal system, intrepid reporter Cliff Roberts goes undercover as a prison guard. Using a tiny camera cunningly disguised as a cigarette lighter, he takes pictures of barbaric practises and documents the whole sorry existence of the inmates. However he is always one mistake away from being found out and with that in mind, his life is severely in danger.

Chain Gang is a solid if instantly forgettable incarceration based picture, small budget and a largely unknown cast list make it a film that only genre fans can readily embrace. No real surprises here as we, thru the term of our protagonist reporter, witness the hostile environment the prisoners live in, this of course throws up the usual moral quandaries. Surely because these men have broken the law {some crimes despicable} they forfeit the right to a decent term of imprisonment? Or is it wrong that they be treated like animals and bullied to breaking point? So like I say, nothing new here, but as with every other film of this type, there is no denying that the quintessential point of the topic makes for an interesting story.

Chain Gang stays above being poor because of the candid display from Douglas Kennedy as Roberts, his conflict of interest during his stay at the prison {before it inevitably goes pear shaped} is handled very well and gives the piece more heart than it probably deserves. William Phillips is the other actor to come out with some credit, a bit of gruff believability goes into his prisoner Snead, and both he and Kennedy keep the film on safe waters. Having a short running time of only 70 minutes, Chain Gang is unable to break free from its own B movie shackles, but a little drama here, and a little moral poser there, means it's at the very least a watchable genre entry. 5/10