My Six Convicts . . .

Stanley Kramer, the producer of such realistic films as "The Men" and "Home of the Brave." has brought us another that could have been of the same type, but, in fact is not. This. I think, from the point of view of entertainment value, is a matter for rejoicing. I am thoroughly sick of Hollywood's mass production of "stark psychological dramas." with their self-conscious attempts to point a moral. "My Six Convicts" does succeed in making us think about what goes on in a prison, but only after we have laughed at the film's comedy. Perhaps it doesn't go far enough, perhaps it could have posed deeper problems. I don't know. Anyway the producers have decided not to take any risks and have taken the easy way out. This film is merely refreshing entertainment, unharmed by complicated psychology.

The director and actors play for laughs, and they get them. There are times, of course, when they all get serious-minded and give us gun-shootings and punch-fightings; but they are necessary and never really distract us from the comedy. And there are times when the fantasy goes too far when the camera-work is too fussy and unobtrusive, when Dimitri Tiomkln's music score is too heavy and over-dramatic. At these times, I must admit. I was distracted (and slightly annoyed) but only to be won over again by the quality of the acting it had to be good if those six convicts were to be at all convincing. I can't mention them all but they were all quite human, with their mixture of toughness and fundamental simplicity. Punch Pinero and James T. Connie appealed to me most, but all the performances, including the psychologist's, were equally as competent.

Not a great film as it might have been if its makers had been more courageous and less inclined to play for safety. But "My Six Convicts" could have been terribly dull.

Grading: ****