Behind the High Wall (1956)

Behind the High Wall is a 1956 American film noir crime film directed by Abner Biberman starring Tom Tully and Sylvia Sidney. It featured an early performance by John Gavin who had just signed with Universal. It was sometimes referred to as his first film although he had appeared in Raw Edge under another name. In March 1956 it was said “John Gilmore” was in the film but in the credits he is called “John Gavin”.

Director – Abner Biberman

Writers – Harold Jack Bloom (screenplay), Richard K. Polimer (story), Wallace Sullivan (story)

Cast –
Tom Tully as Warden Carmichael
Sylvia Sidney as Hilda Carmichael
Betty Lynn as Anne MacGregor
John Gavin as Johnny Hutchins
Don Beddoe as Todd MacGregor
John Larch as William Kiley
Barney Phillips as Tom Renolds
Ed Kemmer as Charlie Rains
John Beradino as Carl Burkhardt
Rayford Barnes as George Miller
Nicky Blair as Roy Burkhardt
David Garcia as Morgan
Peter Leeds as First Detective
James Hyland as Second Detective (as Jim Hyland)

Watch “Behind the High Wall” (1956)

Plot

Inmates pull a prison break, taking the warden and another prisoner as hostages. But when the car gets into a crash, killing the others, the warden makes off with the gang’s loot and places the blame on the other hostage.