Experiment Alcatraz
Experiment Alcatraz is a 1950 American crime film directed by Edward L. Cahn and written by Orville H. Hampton. The film stars John Howard, Joan Dixon, Walter Kingsford and Robert Shayne. The film was released on November 21, 1950, by RKO Pictures.[1][2][3]
| Experiment Alcatraz | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Edward L. Cahn |
| Screenplay by | Orville H. Hampton |
| Story by | George W. George George F. Slavin |
| Produced by | Edward L. Cahn |
| Starring | John Howard Joan Dixon Walter Kingsford Robert Shayne |
| Cinematography | Jackson Rose |
| Edited by | Philip Cahn |
| Music by | Irving Gertz |
Production company | Edward L. Cahn Productions |
| Distributed by | RKO Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 57 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Plot
Many Alcatraz prisoners have volunteered to take an experimental serum that could cure a fatal blood disease, promised parole if they take part. During the experiments, notorious racketeer Barry Morgan steals one of lieutenant nurse Joan McKenna's scissors and stabs convict Eddie Ganz to death, then escapes.
The medical tests are abandoned, and the vaccine is called a failure. Joan is upset for many reasons, including that such a serum could help her brother Dick, who has the disease. Dr. Ross Williams created the medicine and he attempts, with Joan's help, to understand why Morgan behaved the way he did. Ross is beaten by one of Morgan's thugs, Duke Shaw, and told that he and Joan had better drop their pursuit, but they don't.
The trail leads them to Lake Tahoe and a lodge owner, Ethel Ganz, the dead inmate's stepdaughter. She pulls a gun on them. It turns out Eddie hid $250,000 in stolen loot that she found. Ethel is now married to Morgan, with whom she plotted the murder and prison breakout. Morgan turns up with a gun, putting the lives of Ross and Joan in peril, but she is rescued, the villains are incarcerated and the serum is put to good use.
Cast
- John Howard as Dr. Ross Williams
- Joan Dixon as Lt. Joan McKenna
- Walter Kingsford as Dr. J.P. Finley
- Lynne Carter as Ethel Ganz
- Robert Shayne as Barry Morgan
- Kim Spalding as Duke Shaw
- Sam Scar as Eddie Ganz
- Kenneth MacDonald as Col. Harris
- Dick Cogan as Dan Staley
- Frank Cady as Max Henry
- Byron Foulger as Jim Carlton
- Ralph Peters as Bartender
- Lewis Martin as Asst. District Attorney Walton
- Harry Lauter as Richard 'Dick' McKenna
- Raymond Largay as Warden Keaton
References
- "Experiment Alcatraz (1950) - Overview - TCM.com". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
- "Experiment Alcatraz". TV Guide. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
- Hal Erickson (2016). "Experiment Alcatraz (1950)". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Baseline & All Movie Guide. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 21 September 2014.