Review of Convicts 4 (1962) by Allan C — 14 Jan 2017

I'm a sucker for a good prison drama. In this film artist Ben Gazzara is sent to prison for killing a toy store owner over a teddybear for his child. Once in prison there is the usual shakedowns, con men, mean & decent prison guards, and assorted colorful characters, but it's all done so well and Gazzara is so compelling in the lead that it elevates the pretty standard formula prison story into something much better.

The excellent cast includes Stuart Whitman, Ray Walston, Vincent Price, Rod Steiger, Broderick Crawford, Sammy Davis Jr., and the always great Timothy Carey who has a very memorable first scene. There's also a great jazzy score by Leonard Rosenthal.

This film was apparently loosely based upon a true story.