Hellgate 1952 DVD - Sterling Hayden, Joan Leslie, Ward Bond

Description: Item Description HARD TIME IN THE DESERT Sterling Hayden is Gilman S. Hanley - a peaceable ex-Confederate veterinarian and family man in 1867 Kansas, during a period where former soldiers have formed bandit gangs and become a nuisance. In his good-natured way, he treats James Anderson, who shows up at his doorstep with a damaged rib. Unknown to Hanley, Anderson is actually the leader of one of the roving bandit gangs who is on the run. Soon the U.S. Army shows up and finding some of the gang's belongings stashed on Hanley's property, take him into custody. Despite supportive character witnesses from all around, Hanley is convicted of being a bandit and an ex guerrilla and sent to do the hardest time there is at Hellgate Prison - a horrible place in the middle of the New Mexico desert. There Hanley comes up against bitter and sadistic Warden Tod Vorhees (Ward Bond) who thinks Hanley is the kind of no-goodnik who would burn down the house of a Yankee with the women and children still inside, and treats him as such. The prison camp is in a broiling hot canyon surrounded by convincingly arid desert where life is almost impossible. The Army guards at the camp are aided by Pima Indians who are paid to bring in the bodies of prisoners who try to escape. Hanley is put through absolute hell, but just when all hope seems lost a plague breaks out which threatens the lives of everyone at the camp - both inmates and staff - and Hanley becomes the best chance for everyone's survival. First-rate entertainment from start to finish. Warren, bolstered by a stellar cast (Hayden, Leslie, Bond, Wilke, et all) great screenwriting; maintains the right amount of tension throughout. Seen today, HELLGATE is an interesting cinematic curio that ably mixes both the western and the prison genres into a rather unique whole. Although in terms of execution the film has dated somewhat, it remains watchable thanks to the strange nature of the prison itself: a canyon in the scorching desert in which the cells have been dug into a grimy cave system. The hero of the piece is square-jawed Sterling Hayden, committed to the clink for a crime he didn't commit. The usual prison clichés are here including a particularly sadistic warden in the form of Ward Bond, but there's a greater emphasis on character than usual which makes it a pretty decent film. The direction and black and white photography could have been better but as a routine programmer this holds the attention, delivering suspense at regular intervals and building to a thrilling climax. REGION 0 - WILL PLAY WORLDWIDE INTERACTIVE MENUS / SCENE SELECTION 1952 / BLACK & WHITE / 4:3 Ratio / ENGLISH / 88 MIN DVD ART WITH INSERT AS SHOWN. A GREAT COLLECTOR'S ITEM - AND A GREAT GIFT FOR ANY FAN OF CLASSIC FILMS! PLEASE NOTE: THIS PRODUCTION HAS NEVER BEEN AVAILABLE ON DVD AND IS NOT AVAILABLE IN STORES. This is not an "official" release or copy thereof. All media came from public domain sources. This is a good-quality copy with interactive menus and packaging designed by myself. This DVD is boxed exactly as pictured above, and is brand new and factory shrink-wrapped. All screenshots are taken directly from the DVD. All files used in the production of this DVD are not in violation of copyright laws or Ebay guidelines. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DVD is professionally assembled & shipped to you! Any defective disks happily replaced! Please allow 3 business days for shipment to be sent out. Orders within the United States will usually arrive within one week of purchase but I have seen it take up to 10-15 days during Christmas time. International orders can sometimes take up to 14 to 21 business days. If you are unhappy for any reason, please contact me before posting negative feedback! I have a 100% satisfaction policy and will gladly iron out problems. I love these neglected films and have spent years tracking down quality copies! I aim to give these films the loving attention they deserve, with quality packaging and interactive menus. I'm always on the hunt for rare & neglected gems so check back often! I'm happy to answer any and all questions you may have! Just drop me a line!

Price: 12 USD

Location: Sparks, Nevada

End Time: 2024-01-14T00:38:40.000Z

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