In “There Was a Crooked Man… 1970,” a cunning criminal seeks freedom from prison, manipulating those around him like chess pieces in a game of diabolical strategy. As he navigates a complex web of corruption and deceit, he must also contend with the warden’s sadistic regime and the dangerous inmates who inhabit his cell block. Will he emerge victorious, or will he finally meet his match in this thrilling tale of crime and punishment?
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Review
There Was a Crooked Man… And what a crooked man he was! This 1970 American western comedy-drama film holds a special place in Hollywood history given its cast, production and direction team. This article takes an in-depth look at the movie’s storyline, plot, characters and notable mentions of this classic film.
Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz and produced by James H. Nicholson and Samuel Z. Arkoff, There Was a Crooked Man… was based on an original screenplay by David Newman and Robert Benton. The film starred the likes of Kirk Douglas as Paris Pitman Jr., Henry Fonda as Warden Lopeman, Hume Cronyn as the Governor, John Randolph Jones as Floyd Moon and Warren Oates as Cyrus McNutt.
The storyline of There Was a Crooked Man… revolves around Paris Pitman Jr., a crafty conman who lands himself in prison after his last heist goes awry. Pitman quickly figures out that he doesn’t want to be behind bars for long, so he feigns insanity to get transferred to a more relaxed facility where he can plan his escape.
Pitman soon finds himself in the Arizona Territorial Prison known as “Hellgate,” run by an honest warden Lopeman. Pitman starts plotting his escape with another inmate Cyrus McNutt, played brilliantly by Warren Oates. However, things take an interesting turn when Pitman discovers that McNutt has found some hidden gold in the desert worth over $500k; this begins an exciting cat-and-mouse game between Pitman and the other inmates who all want to get their hands on the treasure.
The plot of There Was a Crooked Man… is filled with sharp dialogue and witty one-liners that set it apart from other movies in its genre both then and now. One notable line from Henry Fonda’s character Warden Lopeman is, “I never met an honest man that I didn’t like.”
The film is also known for its excellent cinematography, with scenes shot in beautiful locations such as the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona and the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in California. The production team took great care to capture the American West’s natural beauty, adding to the film’s visual appeal.
Despite its success as a box office hit, There Was a Crooked Man… did not receive any major award nominations during its release. However, it remains a fan favorite and has been praised for its excellent direction and unique storyline.
The film’s cast is one of its strongest points. Kirk Douglas’s performance as Paris Pitman Jr., who oozes charm throughout the movie, is exceptional. Henry Fonda’s portrayal of Warden Lopeman also stands out; his honesty and integrity are on full display throughout the movie.
Hume Cronyn offers an excellent performance as Governor Fairchild; his confrontation with Pitman towards the end of the movie is one of the standout scenes. John Randolph Jones delivers an entertaining performance as Floyd Moon, one of Pitman’s accomplices who is eager to get his hands on the hidden treasure.
There Was a Crooked Man… remains popular among fans of western movies because it manages to blend elements of humor and drama seamlessly. The film is not just about bank robberies or horse riding – it explores themes such as deceit, redemption, and human nature.
In conclusion, There Was a Crooked Man… remains a classic Hollywood movie that continues to captivate and entertain audiences even today. Its witty dialogue, strong performances from iconic actors like Kirk Douglas and Henry Fonda coupled with breathtaking visuals make it an absolute must-watch for anyone interested in western movies or film history overall.
Technical Data
- Release : 1970-09-18
- Runtime : 123
- Genre : Western
- Cast : Kirk Douglas as Paris Pitman, Jr., Henry Fonda as Woodward W. Lopeman, Hume Cronyn as Dudley Whinner, Warren Oates as Floyd Moon, Burgess Meredith as The Missouri Kid
- Crew : Perc Westmore as Makeup Artist, Gordon Bau as Makeup Supervisor, Jean Burt Reilly as Hairstylist, Charles Strouse as Songs, Charles Strouse as Music
- Revenue : 0
- Budget : 0
- Company : Warner Bros. Pictures
- Popularity : 9.775
- Summary : Arizona Territorial Prison inmate Paris Pitman, Jr. is a schemer, a charmer, and quite popular among his fellow convicts — especially with $500,000 in stolen loot hidden away and a plan to escape and recover it. New warden Woodward Lopeman has other ideas about Pitman. Each man will have the tables turned on him.
- Tagline : Of All the Crooked Men in All the Crooked West One of Them Was the Best!
