More of a crime than a film noir, it's one expertly made movie that achieves great entertainment. The shrew writing and pacing by director/writer Crane Wilbur move the storyline at breakneck speed, but provide just enough drama to give character some depth. After all, this movie is about a very simple story of 12 prisoner (doomed men, maybe that's what makes this a noir) attempting to break out a maximum-security penitentary in Canon City, Colorado. The cinematography is truly impressive; I later learned that this is due to John Alton, who's responsible some of the most iconic film noir cinematography. The movie also features a young DeForest Kelley, but hell if I know who "Smalley" is in the movie
May 18, 2009
#172: Canon City (1948)
More of a crime than a film noir, it's one expertly made movie that achieves great entertainment. The shrew writing and pacing by director/writer Crane Wilbur move the storyline at breakneck speed, but provide just enough drama to give character some depth. After all, this movie is about a very simple story of 12 prisoner (doomed men, maybe that's what makes this a noir) attempting to break out a maximum-security penitentary in Canon City, Colorado. The cinematography is truly impressive; I later learned that this is due to John Alton, who's responsible some of the most iconic film noir cinematography. The movie also features a young DeForest Kelley, but hell if I know who "Smalley" is in the movie
