Paula Kungel Watched this movie twice last night, back-to-back on "antenna TV," and would have watched it a third time to get every nuance. It's finally being shown in the public airwaves--would sure like to have my own copy and reading the book would be a treat. I love the symbolism in the movie: Stewart's character, in response to a question about the evil exhibited by the overly-religious Kennedy: "God uses good men. Bad men use God." Ann's fallen-woman character was excellent. I believed the director struck a great balance, able to produce a movie that seemed simple but was heavily laden with symbolism. Ending on an uplifting, "pick yourself up by your bootstraps and carry on" theme, the dog (whose unintended betrayals nearly caused the end of our heroes) tied things up nicely. A tale of hope when all seems its darkest and I unabashedly give it a "10."

Mark The plot is simple: 3 convicts have done their time and are being released from prison. Mattie Appleyard (James Stewart) has saved a large sum of money while behind bars and plans to open a small store with his two compatriots. However, we know from the very first scene that prison authority 'Doc' Council (George Kennedy) is not a friend of inmates nor those who have paid their debt to society, and this is where the story begins. Both Stewart and Kennedy give very solid performances, and as to why this movie is not widely recognised for being one of the best in either actors' careers is very much beyond me. No, it doesn't have space aliens blowing up New York, or laser beams shooting out of mutants' eyes, or even alleged terrorists fighting each other with bio-chemical weapons in some far flung country. However, what it does have are actors practicing their individual crafts as best as they know how to and providing the viewing audience with an extremely good product. This is what is called entertainment.

zepp-6 Probably the most memorable roles for Jimmy Stewart and George Kennedy respectively. Set in northern Kentucky in the depths of the Great Depression, it is the story of three parolees who are planning to start a new life, and the efforts of town and prison officials to stop them.Contains some of the funniest scenes in motion picture lore, including Stewart using his glass eye to intimidate a god-struck hired killer, and Anne Baxter as a hyper-patriotic riverboat whore who is embittered by the refusal of the DAR to let her join. George Kennedy is implacable and sinister as Stewart's antagonist.The humor doesn't hide the desperation and despair of the times, or the life-and-death struggle the three parolees face as they attempt to start a new life.Does not appear to be in publication at this time. Hopefully Criterion or somebody will re-release this gem.

Nazi_Fighter_David Though not technically a Western, the picture, with an early-Thirties West Virginia setting, had all of a Western's action and plot situations… Once more, Andrew V. McLaglen directed Stewart in an ambivalent, morally reprehensible characterization… In an uneasy blend of melodramatic themes, Stewart is a convict who squirrels away $25,000… A murderer, he has done all the hard prison jobs and has been a model prisoner… He gets out of prison with bankrobber Strother Martin and rapist Kurt Russell, and having paid their collective debt to society, they set out to make their fortune as civilians once more… But corrupt prison officer George Kennedy and banker David Huddleston are out to relieve Stewart of his nest egg…Baxter, whose houseboat is doing part-time bordello duty, wants Stewart's money too…The film remains a curious admixture of comedy, adventure and violence from James Agee, author of "The Night of the Hunter."