MovieChat Forums > Convicts 4 (1963) Discussion > It's up next on Turner Classic Movies!

It's up next on Turner Classic Movies!

posted 13 years ago by MystMoonstruck
5 replies | jump to latest

I've never seen it and am curious about it. I was weighing the merits of various movies but decided to go with this one as I've never heard about it till now.

As I always say about anyone claiming to be one of those ultimate film buffs who know EVERY movie: There's no such person. But, it's always great to check off another film. Who knows when someone might ask about this someday, whether here at IMDb or at the other movie mystery sites? Then, those of us who tuned in this morning will come to the rescue. *giggle*

I really did want to watch "The Black Rose", which I haven't seen for many years, but this is too much of a temptation.

~~MystMoonstruck~~

[–] kbarada 13 years ago

Well, what do you think having just watched the movie? Just watched it myself.

[–] MystMoonstruck 13 years ago

It's difficult for Ben Gazzara to reach anywhere near sympathetic for me, so perhaps I'm not a good judge of the film. It was rather amazing to see all of those character actors even though some had very brief roles.

Would I watch it again? Hmmmmm... I'm not sure about that. Generally, I like to watch a movie more than once, but this one really didn't *click* with me. It seemed oddly amateurish, which I wouldn't have expected with such a cast. With some tweaking, it could have been a parody of a prison movie.

Am I misjudging it or perhaps being too harsh? I do like watching something I've never seen before, but I would have enjoyed "The Black Rose" more. Oh well... I followed it with "Captain from Castile", which was much more enjoyable.

~~MystMoonstruck~~

[–] kbarada 13 years ago

cynsemele, you are not being too harsh on this movie. I think the message is even out of date regarding rehabilitation in America's prison system. Prison nowdays seems to be just warehouses to keep bad guys off the streets for awhile. The premise of the movie ie. getting out of prison based on art, wasn't compellingly told. The guy did serve 18 or so years and probably would have been paroled under today's standards.

The cast of characters was what kept me interested as the story was poorly told. I kept thinking how many were in Twilite Zone episodes. Too bad that Broderick Crawford and Rod Steiger only had cameo appearances. Location filming at Folsom Prison was a good thing.

No, wouldn't watch again. It was OK for Sunday morning waiting for NFL football to start.

[–] MystMoonstruck 13 years ago

I feel better about my opinion. I thought I might be too harsh, but I thought that, if Timothy Carey was the only one over-the-top, it wouldn't have been too bad. However, Ray Walston also chewed the scenery unmercifully, and I was surprised that he did not perform with his usual flair. Maybe we can blame the director.

I did think Sammy Davis Jr. delivered one of the better, most natural moments. Of course, it's always great to see Vincent Price, who has one of the greatest voices ever.

I agree about the parts that basically were cameos. It might have strengthened the film to flesh out those characters. There certainly was a lot they could have pared away to make room for those expanded scenes.

That's one more movie experience under my belt, and it wasn't at all painful to watch thanks to the cast. So, that's something positive.

~~MystMoonstruck~~

[–] The_Dying_Flutchman 12 years ago

If U R truly interested in the man, look up his autobiography. He was quite a fellow.

Reference is inscrutable because there is nothing to scrute.