My Six Convicts

‘Doc’ Wilson is a college professor and psychologist who commences work at ‘Harbor State Prison’ (filmed at San Quentin). He is more scientist than counsellor, and has a large battery of tests at his disposal. He does explain what they’re for, but we never really see one being put to any practical use. He has a hard job. He’s new. The role is new. The Warden would prefer him to pass on information about the prisoners, which he can’t do. The prisoners refer to him as a ‘bug doctor’ and are rowdy, disrespectful and suspicious. Will it surprise you to learn that he wins their trust and respect by the end?

He needs helpers, and recruits six inmates to help him administer the tests, score them, and so on. So much for his ethical stand about passing on information. Anyway, they’re a motley bunch: James T Connie, an intelligent, showy, shifty safe-cracker who can arrange anything in the prison; the influential and excitable Punch Pinero, murderer and hard man, due to be deported to Italy; Steve Kopak, who has done ten years for bank embezzlement and is afraid of living on the outside; Blivens Scott, a talented drunk; psychopathic killer Dawson; and Clem Randall, a troubled young man. —Prisonmovies.net