Riot in Juvenile Prison

Reviewer msroz is really on target. The film's competently made, performed, and better than expected given the sleazy title. Trouble is, as msroz points out, the story's a cliché about a humane reformer (Thor) bringing kindness to a brutal reform school for boys. He's opposed by the resident warden (Hoyt) who only grudgingly cooperates. Not exactly cutting-edge material for its time.

Unfortunately, the screenplay includes two big stretches. First is the expected Hollywood ending that's an abrupt reversal of what's gone before. Second-- in my book at least-- is making the school co-educational. I just can't see how mixing teen-age girls with hormonally-driven boys is going to make anyone's job easier or more effective. Nonetheless, it does set up an audience-pleasing battle of the bra's, especially Dorothy Provine, who's soon to take a few steps up the Hollywood ladder and I can see why.

Shouldn't overlook several of Hollywood's best baddies of the period. We've got Scott Marlowe who snarled with the best of the teenage punks, as he does here. Then there's John Hoyt, his cruel face and manner perfect for a tough warden. And shouldn't neglect Richard Reeves as the hulking guard, ever an intimidating screen presence.

All in all, it's an excellent cast for a B-movie independent. So, if you can overlook some of the stretches, the film's got genuine compensations.

The story really picks up when the new warden decides it's time for the juvenile joint to go co-ed! Decent acting and crowd choreography make this one of director Cahn's most enjoyable efforts. The riot scenes and the dance scenes are very well handled, and Scott Marlowe is effective as the "Rebel with Claws".

Scott Marlowe stars as a tough kid at the Ditman Hall "State Training School for Boys." Apparently acting is not what these kids are being trained for. Marlowe leads a mini-breakout, but some of his gang are shot down by the guards and Marlowe is put in stir by the screws. After we're treated to multiple front page headlines of the problems at the school, the Governor of whatever state this is appoints a psychiatrist to run the school. The liberal shrink (Jerome Thor) immediately runs up against the school's conservative warden, played by John Hoyt. Hoyt's philosophy on discipline is somewhat to the right of Attila the Hun.

Thor's first initiative is brilliant; integrate the school by bringing in the chicks from the "Larkin School for Girls." (More front page headlines.) Now what could possibly go wrong here? The girls arrive to the sound of catcalls, whistles, and seem to enjoy every minute of it, setting the women's movement back 1000 years. The chicks are led by matrons Ann Doran and Marcia Henderson. The next day, during the co-ed breakfast, Marlowe and a muscle head named Stu vie for the attention of one of the chicks, played by Virginia Aldridge. Meanwhile, a rival chick (Dorothy Provine) has her sights set on Marlowe; she calls him "tall, dark, and delinquent." The inevitable rumble between Marlowe and Stu occurs, with Thor breaking it up. Henderson and Thor get off to a bad start, when she tells Thor his theories won't work. But then we find out Henderson's sister was once assaulted by a "sex psychopath." So Thor does some of his psycho-alkalizing on Henderson, which ticks her off, especially when she finds out this is not covered by Obamacare. Since Henderson and Thor can't stand each other, you know darn well that sooner or later, Henderson and Thor will do it 'til they're sore.

Undeterred by his first failure, Thor then announces that the School will start holding classes, showing films twice a week, holding a dance every two weeks, and eliminating armed guards. Marlowe and his two pals ("Dink" and "Matches") decide they are going to get even with one of the screws (tough guy Richard Reeves), who roughed up one of their friends. Thor intercepts them and is beaten up for his trouble.

The big dance rolls around, and Stu tries to assault Aldridge. When Thor tries to intervene, Stu pulls a shiv, but Marlowe clocks Stu. More front page headlines: sex assault at the school. Thor gets canned. Hoyt takes over and immediately turns the place back into the black hole of Calcutta. Marlowe manages to overpower Reeves, get his gun, and lead a revolt. Can Thor somehow intercede, save the day, and reform Marlowe? Hoyt calls Governor for help. Governor calls State Police for help. Audience calls manager for refund.

The "delinquents" seem to change on a dime, varying from being repulsive to contrite. Marlowe is decent in his role, but is just a little too mixed up for my tastes. Also, he occasionally sounds like Jon Stewart impersonating Donald Trump. Aldridge is blah, and I can't figure out any reason why she would be in reform school unless she was convicted of impersonating an actress. Provine, despite her cute looks, is snooty, unlikable, and her nasal voice does not help either. Thor is deadly dull as the psychiatrist. Henderson has some nice curves. But her hair is pasted into a bun, making her look almost as old as Doran, who has appeared in roughly 10,000 films.

The story concept is perfect for a movie, but the actual story was so threadbare that if you blinked, you might miss it!

There were obviously no legal or law enforcement advisors consulted about the script, so the lack of realism was frightening.

Not as frightening as the acting, though!

Boring film with a few great lines (as in inadvertently hilarious great).

Most 1950s prison and delinquent movies have some camp value. This one does not. It sure doesn't have any social value. Dullsville daddy-o.