OUTSIDE THE WALL

US, 1950, 80 minutes, Black-and-white.

Richard Basehart, Marilyn Maxwell, Signe Hasso, Dorothy Hart, Joseph Pevney, Lloyd Gough, Harry Morgan, Jon Hoyt..

Directed by Crane Wilbur.

A small supporting feature from 1950, a social justice focus on prisoners and their release into the community, and complications of the popular film noir of the period. Hence the title, Outside the Wall.

At the centre of the film is Larry Nelson, played by Richard Basehart, imprisoned at the age of 14 with the death of the guard in the juvenile home, an unintended killing by Larry. However, after 15 years, his request for release has been granted.

The screenplay is interesting in showing the inexperience of the world of a young man who has been in prison for 15 years, and, in that context, from 1935 to 1950. Some people pick up that he is an ex-prisoner because his beret which he throws away, he doesn’t know how to cross the street in traffic with lights, he does dishwashing jobs, is able to stop hold-up, is promised a job at a lab, capitalising on his work in prison, but decides to move outside the city.

All seems well, there is a nurse, blonde, something of a gold digger, played by Marilyn Maxwell. There is a nice nurse played by Dorothy Hart. The complication of the plot is a million-dollar robbery, masterminded by a former prisoner, killing hostages, and the prisoner himself coming into the hospital. Larry is suspected as being part of the robbery and so is persuaded by the mastermind to transfer money to his wife, played by Signe Hasso. There are attempts on the life of the prisoner in the hospital, but Larry uses his wits, with the help of the nice nurse, building up to quite a climax.

At 80 minutes, succinct enough, but an interesting example of the small supporting features of the time.

1. Brief supporting feature, 1950s style?
2. Combination of film noir elements with social comment about prisons and life after imprisonment?
3. The prison, the city, the streets, the hospital, labs, the diners? Outside the city? The musical score?
4. Larry Nelson and his story, aged 14, the conflict, the death of the guard, in prison, aged 29, granted release? The discussion with the Warden? Out in the world, lack of experience of the world, his cap and his being considered a former prisoner, throwing it away, ticked off about crossing through the traffic…? Going to the hospital, the receptionist asking for documents, the doctor being away? Going to the diner, the women, flirting, the drinks, seeing his money, his inexperience with drinking, knocked out, her taking the money, his reaction? Going to the diner, washing up, the hold-up and his intervening, overcoming the robbers? Decision to leave the city?
5. At the hospital, the encounter with the doctor, at work, diligent? The physical examination, Charlotte, the suggestiveness, blonde, eager for money? The encounters, the better friendship with Ann, her understanding, talking, advice? At the restaurant, Charlotte and the criminal?
6. News of the robbery, the deaths? Larry knowing the identity of the criminal? His being brought to the hospital, Larry not giving him to the authorities, the request that Larry transfer the money to the criminal’s wife, reluctance, acceptance, visiting the wife, her attitude, the thugs? The puzzle about his identity, their thinking he was the unnamed accomplice? Their following him?
7. Talking to Ann, bonding, not having had this experience with a woman before? The contrast then with Charlotte?
8. Explaining the situation to Ann, the criminal, his physical condition, the thug paying off Charlotte to visit him, their taking him through the window? Larry and his reaction?
9. Larry, his being abducted, interrogated? The plan, the money, Ann to go to the police, her being taken? The criminal’s wife and her wanting the money, collusion with the criminals? The manner and behaviour, the threats?
10. Larry, able to turn the tables, but wanting the criminal to exonerate him, his finally being persuaded? The criminals and their plan to turn on each other? The arrests?
11. The elements of film noir? The commentary on prisons and the experience of young prisoners released from jail?