Prison Pictures from Hollywood : Plots, Critiques, Casts and Credits for 293 Theatrical and Made for Television Releases

"Pile out, you tramps. Its the end of the line, " begins Caged, a remarkable on-screen study of women behind bars released by Warner Bros. in 1950. The well-defined conventions of this picture and almost 300 others in the prison film genre are examined.

Four subgenres emerge: sociological studies (e.g., I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang, 1932), raucous comedies (Stir Crazy, 1980), black action pictures (Riot, 1968) and exploitation entries (Chained Heat, 1983).

Comprehensive cast/character and technical listings and an essay blending synopsis, contemporary review quotes, production details with costs and analysis are given for each feature.

Coverage includes both silent and sound feature films from Hollywod as well as American made-for-television movies.

Fully indexed.