Revolt in the Big House (Allied Artists) (1958)

ROBERT BLAKE SCORES HIGH IN ROLE OF YOUNG CONVICT (Review) David Diamond’s production of ‘Revolt In The Big House” for Allied Artists release will be remembered for its several fine qualities, but most of all, perhaps, for the outstanding performance of The film, which opened yesterday at the theatre, stars Blake with another? exceptionally talented actor, Gene Evans. Evans portrays the hardened criminal, a hoodlum who has beaten a large number of _ police charges but at last finds himself a prisoner determined to escape the penitentiary. To play a great part in what he hopes will be his successful escape, he foments discontent among his fellow prisoners and stirs them to staging a riot; it is during the uprising that he plans to get over the wall. Evans’ ceil-mate is young Blake, who had been convicted on a holdup charge after having been tricked into participating in the crime. Unlike Evans, Blake is determined to gain an early parole and prove himself worthy of a place in society. This determination, however, is shattered by the ruthless Evans. Blake at once proves himself to be one of Hollywood’s most brilliant young players; never in “Revolt In The Big House” does he neglect to reflect his full understanding not alone of his own role but of it in relation to the overall production. His portrayal at once gains the sympathy of the audience, and few, if any, are those who are not completely held in his grip throughout the production. Evans, who always can be counted upon to fill his role in masterful fashion, brilliantly portrays a vicious, despicable man who holds life with such disdain that he doesn’t mind if a few are lost so long as he can escape confinement. Others whose acting contribute much to the good quality of the film are Timothy Carey, John Qualen, Emile Meyer and Walter Barnes. As the only girl in the cast, the shapely titian-haired Arlene Hunter injects a welcome bit THE CAST Gannon.....GENE EVANS Rudy..... ROBERT BLAKE Kyle.... TIMOTHY CAREY Doc....... JOHN QUALEN Al........SAM EDWARDS Red........ JOHN DENNIS Starkey. WALTER BARNES Jake... . FRANK RICHARDS Warden... EMILE MEYER Girl..... ARLENE HUNTER young Robert Blake. of feminine allure. The entire worth of the film mirrors the brilliant direction of R. G. Springsteen, the talents of scenarists Daniel Hyatt and Eugene Lourie and the cinematography of William Margulies. | DUPE | Robert Blake, pictured above, one of the most talented of the newer crop of Hollywood’s dramatic stars, is starred with Gene Evans in Allied Artists’ “Revolt In The Big House,’ a David Diamond production now at the .... theatre. WRITERS Authors of Allied Artists’ “Revolt In The Big House,’ now at the Beppe ade en Noe theatre, are Daniel Hyatt and Eugene Lourie. The film, produced by David Diamond, stars Gene Evans and Robert Blake. CREDITS Produced by David Diamond; Directed by R. G. Springsteen: Screenplay by Daniel Hyatt and Eugene Lourie; Director of Photography, William Margulies; Art Director, David Milton; Film Editor, William Austin; Production Manager, Edward Morey. Jr.: Assistant Director, Herb Mendelson; Sound Editor, Charles Schelling: Set Decorator, Joseph Kish; Set Continuity, Bobbie Sierks; Recording Engineer, Ralph Butler; Wardrobe, Roger J]. Weinberg; Makeup Artist, John Holden; Property, Arthur Cole; Special Effects, Herman Townsley, and Construction, James West. | END OF THE LINE | Robert Blake, a youth imprisoned for participating in a crime into which he had been tricked, is the victim of convict violence during a wild prison riot in Allied Artists’ “Revolt In The Big House,” now at theatre. Blake shares starring honors with Gene Evans. the eer r eee ree Evans In Two Of Diamond's Films Gene Evans went as star of one David Diamond production to a star role in another of the same producer’s films. The second assignment put him into the role of a hateful convict in “Revolt In The Big House,” an Allied Artists release now at the She ase eates theatre. Just before going into the prison picture, which was filmed in California, Evans returned from England where Diamond produced “The Behemoth,” also for Allied Artists release. Sharing star honors in “Revolt In The Big House” with Evans is 25-year-old Robert Blake, regarded as one of Hollywood’s most forceful and talented players. R. G. Springsteen directed the prison picture. Arlene Hunter In Film Role Arlene Hunter, one of Hollywood’s sexiest looking redheads, is the only actress in “Revolt In The Big House,” a David Diamond production for Allied Artists now at the theatre. The shapely Miss Hunter, a newcomer to pictures, is cast as the girl friend of a gangster, whose murder she witnesses in a subway. The film stars Gene Evans and Robert Blake and was directed by R. G. Springsteen. The screenplay was authored by Daniel Hyatt and Eugene Lourie. PHOTOGENIC Arlene Hunter, only actress in the cast of Allied Artists’ “Revolt In The Big House,’ Gene EvansRobert Blake starrer now at the Aa eRe ee theatre, is considered one of Hollywood’s most photogenic redheads. | RUTHLESS | Gene Evans, pictured above, is starred with Robert Blake in Allied Artists’ exciting prison drama “Revolt In The Big House,” now at the theatre. The film shows what happens when a convicted big time gangster plans a prison-wide break which backfires. Warden For Second Time Emile Meyer for the second time in his film career portrays a prison warden in “Revolt In The Big House,” now playing at the .... theatre. He made his screen debut some years ago, after having been discovered by a producer while driving a taxicab in New Orleans, as a warden in Walter Wanger’s “Riot In Cell Block 11.” His current picture, a David Diamond production for Allied Artists, which also released Wanger’s prison film, stars Gene Evans and Robert Blake. MADMAN Timothy Carey is cast as the psychopathic killer in “Revolt In The Big House,” a David Diamond production starring Gene Evans and Robert Blake for Allied Artists and now at the theatre. | BRUTE FORCE | Robert Blake (right), seems to be Imprisoned for participating in a holdup into which he was tricked, getting the worst of it from Gene Evans in this scene from Allied Artists’ “Revolt In The Big House,” opening at the eeeceeseee . theatre. The picture stars Evans and Blake with Timothy Carey in a strong supporting role. HATE, VIOLENCE FOUND IN NEW PRISON RIOT PICTURE (Advance) Hate and violence abound in “Revolt In The Big House,” produced by David Diamond for Allied Artists and due to open next at the theatre. The film, dealing with a prision riot planned by a despicable convict as a cover for his planned escape, stars Gene Evans and Robert Blake, and features Timothy Carey and John Qualen. Evans portrays the prisoner who is determined to escape regardless of how many lives of his fellow prisoners it may cost. Blake is cast as the sympathetic young inmate, convicted of a holdup, participation in which he had been tricked. Others in the cast include Emile Meyer, John Dennis, Sam Edwards, Walter Barnes, Frank Richards and Arlene Hunter, only actress in the cast. The film was directed by R. G. Springsteen from a script authored GUARDED Under law, whenever machine guns are used in films, as they were during the making of “Revolt In The Big House,” they must be under constant guard of a uniformed policeman. “Revolt In The Big House” stars Gene Evans and Robert Blake and was produced by David Diamond for Allied Artists. It now is at the theatre. BONUS Because of his exceptional work in “Revolt In The Big House,” now at the theatre, young Robert Blake received a $1000 bonus from Allied Artists. . 4 by Daniel Hyatt and Eugene Lourie. The photography was by William Margulies, the art direction by David Milton and special effects, including the dynamiting of prison gates, were the work of Herman Townsley. Star Teaches Thespic Art At 25, Robert Blake not alone is one of Hollywood’s most highly regarded acting talents but he also conducts classes in acting for a group of students, half of whom are professional actors. His pupils include such screen names as Connie Stevens, Millie Perkins, Bobbie Driscoll and Dean Stockwell. He carries on with the school at night despite picture making assignments which keep him busy during the day, as did “Revolt In The Big House,” now at the .... Ma OE theatre. In this prison picture, a David Diamond production for Allied Artists, he co-stars with Gene Evans. Each is cast as a convict, one bent upon earning an early parole and the other on gaining an early escape. The film was directed by R. G. Springsteen. THE STORY (Not For Publication) Lou Gannon (Gene Evans), imprisoned finally after beating a long series of police charges, immediately begins planning his escape. Kyle (Timothy Carey), whom he quickly replaces as the bossman of the inmates, also has formulated plans for a prison break. When Al (Sam Edwards), another convict, backs out of his part in the break plans, he is slain by Kyle and Gannon. Rudy (Robert Blake), Gannon's cell mate, who was imprisoned after being tricked into participating in a holdup, is determined to earn an early parole. His intentions are shattered when he is goaded, according to Gannon’'s well laid plans. into a fight with another convict. In the resulting excitement, Gannon plants a knife in Rudy's pocket. Starkey (Walter Barnes), captain of the guards, finds the knife, and tries to force Rudy to confess Al's murder. Rudy admits nothing, but is thrown into solitary confinement. Embittered and egged on by Gannon, Rudy now agrees to take part in the mass escape. Kyle and Gannon draw final plans for the break, to be launched when Kyle dynamites the main gate. Rudy and Doc (John Qualen), another old timer, are assigned to capture Starkey and other guards as hostages. However, the convicts are unaware that the warden (Emile Meyer), already alerted to a possible break, has ordered outside guards to shoot to kill anyone attempting to pass through the gate. The break quickly gets underway. Rudy and Doc, in charge of the captured guards, are told by Starkey that if the men attempt to break through the main gate, they will be massacred by the machine guns manned by guards outside. Rudy runs to warn his fellow convicts of the danger, and, far from the rioting mob, he sees Gannon climbing a rope in an effort to go over the wall. Gannon urges Rudy to come with him to a waiting car, and it is then that Rudy realizes that Gannon knew about the outside guards. Rudy dies of injuries in a fight with Gannon but not before he warns the mob of the possible wholesale slaughter. Kyle. who won't give and is machine-gunned to death. is killed once he gets over it. up, runs through the gate alone, Gannon goes over the wall, but