CARBINE WILLIAMS

US, 1952, 93 minutes, Black and white.
James Stewart, Jean Hagen, Wendell Corey, Carl Benton Reid, Paul Stewart, Otto Hulett, James Arness.
Directed by Richard Thorpe.

Carbine Williams is the story of David Marshall Williams, the inventor of the Carbine automatic. He is played by James Stewart, somewhat out of typical role. Williams was a sailor, argued with his family about working the land, was a part-time bootlegger and involved in a shoot-out with federal police. He was convicted of murder and spent many years in prison. It was his work on the Carbine, as a hobby, that changed his attitude as well as the support of the head of the prison, Captain Peoples (played by Wendell Corey). The film was told in flashback so that we see the achievement by Williams. Peoples explains the story to Williams' young son. The supporting cast is good, led by Jean Hagen as his wife.

1.Interesting and enjoyable biography? An American who made good? The moralising tone of the film about people and opportunities?

2.MGM production, black and white photography, the Prohibition period, life in prisons? The musical score?
3.The title, the focus on Williams and his achievement? based on a Reader's Digest story? The introduction to Williams, his work, the phone call from Maggie, his concern about David? The phone call to Cap, taking him to the prison, being met by Peoples in the prison?

4.Cap telling the story, trying to help David understand his father? The audience knowing that all came well at the end and its effect in looking at the young Williams?

5.Marsh, going to sea, his brothers and sisters, clashes with his father, the return from the navy, his wanting to marry Maggie, not wanting to work the land, his work, the distilling? The moonshine and the friends? The arrests? The gun and his threat? The shoot-out, the confusion, every man for himself, the death of the agent? His decision to give himself up?

6.The court case, the evidence against him, his own aggressive manner? The plea bargaining, the change of judge, his getting 30 years? His going to prison, his bitterness, his refusal to communicate with Maggie for years? With the men, his surliness, the chain gang, the knives and the violence, the attempts at escape? The transfer to the farm? His meeting with Peoples? His surliness and anger? His going to do 30 days' solitude on bread and water? His explanation to Peoples about his thinking, gradually overcoming the pain, the plan of the Carbine?

7.Peoples, his administration, tough? The men and their work? Discipline? His putting Williams in the hole? The explanation? Interest in the gun? His decision to let him keep making it? The bond between the two? Persuading him to see Maggie, their day together? The beginnings of rehabilitation?

8.The other men, violence, knives, interrogations and line-ups? Kruger and the attempt on the train, Williams stopping him from being shot? Taking the gun, knocking Williams out? His death?

9.Williams' achievement, the publicity in the press, Peoples called to account before the board, his plea that they examine the gun, their giving permission, Peoples' pledge and Williams' faith in him? The success of the gun, the patent, the pardon? A happy ending and rehabilitation?

10.Portrait of an ordinary American, his gifts, his change of heart, the support of friends and family?