"(dramatic music)" "**" "(narrator) Deep in the mountains of Colorado is the Royal Gorge of the Arkansas River, tamed by the steepest tramway in the world, climbing up from the depths, past 1,550 feet of sheer red rock to the canyon rim." "A suspension bridge spans the gorge, its roadways soaring higher in the air than the topmost tip of the Empire State Building." "Near the Royal Gorge is the town that is the subject of this true story, a town that has seen United States Cavalry, mountain men, beaver hunters," "Indian scouts, gold seekers." "Settled by covered-wagon pioneers, cowhands, miners, by hunters, trappers, and farmers, it is today the home of their grandsons and daughters, and a typical Western community." "Cañon City, population 7,000." "Elevation, one mile and 63 feet above sea level." "A city of small homes that is set in a beautiful and rugged land of mountains and canyons, a land that smiles in summer, in winter, is often grim with blizzards." "But within Cañon City, there is another city, a grim place of gray stone walls... of watchtowers, of armed guards... the Colorado State Penitentiary." "Established in 1868 as a territorial prison by the Federal Government, it became the state penitentiary when Colorado was admitted into the Union in 1876." "It has been a going business ever since and a home for those who like to have their own way too much and have taken forbidden steps to achieve their aims." "All kinds are here-- murderers, kidnappers, thieves, robbers, embezzlers." "The warden of a penal institution has a grave responsibility-- absolute control over the lives and futures of hundreds of men." "To the tough-minded, he must be tougher." "To those who show promise and a desire to make good again in society, he must be understanding." "Meet Warden Roy Best." "How are you?" "(narrator) Fine, thanks." "Have a chair." "Thank you, I will." "Warden, tell me, what's the population of this prison?" "Uh, something over 1,200." "And how many of those men are doing life?" "It's better than 10%." "And what's the" "(barking)" "Chris." "Has Chris got a bad temper?" "Well, he's allergic to quick moves." "Then I won't make any sudden moves." "I was about to ask, what's the toughest job in prison?" "Well, naturally, I think mine." "It must be a heavy responsibility." "You don't show it." "Nevertheless, it's always with you." "No doubt." "You must have some inmates with interesting stories in here." "Well, we think we have." "Let's go and meet some of them." "I'd like to, very much." "(narrator) These men, behind walls, disciplined, subject to routine, deprived of freedom, wearing prison gray, are still human beings-- sons and husbands and fathers." "In spite of a few who are untamable, because of the many who can be helped, modern penology recognizes man's need of work and furnishes tools and machinery." "Here in the knitting mill, prisoners make socks and underwear for all inmates and learn a trade that will aid them after release." "And here in the prison tailor shop, inmates manufacture work clothing and going-away suits." "Hey, that looks like a good fit." "You'd never know where it came from." "I'm getting out of here next week." "Congratulations." "Where do you go?" "To Denver." "My wife will meet me at the train." "She's waited 12 years-- stuck by me, in spite of everything." "Hey, look, when they press the coat, don't let 'em put a crease in the sleeve." "(narrator) Other inmates work in the stamping mill, making state license plates and road signs." "In the West, when they say something, they're not fooling." "Let's ask this old timer a few questions." "What's your name?" "Joe Bundy." "Been here long?" "Oh, quite a piece." "Since 1897." "50 years." "Aren't you about due for a parole?" "They can keep it." "Where would I go?" "Who'd want me?" "That's the worst punishment of all-- when nobody wants you." "Yep." "(narrator) Here, inmates with special skills and an artistic bent work at making hooked rugs." "Let's talk to this boy." "What's your name, son?" "Carlo Nova." "And how old are you?" "14 years old." "What crime were you convicted of?" "Murder." "What's your sentence?" "20 years to 30 years." "(narrator) Warden Best has recommended this inmate for parole." "The man has proven himself." "Our next stop is the gymnasium." "Mr. Frady, you're athletic instructor for the prison, aren't you?" "Yes." "How long have you been here?" "I came here when I was 23, convicted of murder." "And you got life?" "I got death." "Four hours before I was to die in the gas chamber, the warden got my sentence commuted." "I see." "And do you expect to be paroled?" "Yes, in '49." "I'm going to show the world that the warden made no mistake when he gave me back my life." "(narrator) In the afternoon, the work details return from their labors on Quarry Hill." "The prison day begins early and ends early." "Although familiarity and routine can breed contempt, the authorities never forget that these men are here against their will." "All prisoners are checked for contraband on their return from work." "This electronic frisker sounds an alarm whenever anyone carries a metal object past it." "The robot guard gets alarmed over anything metallic, harmless or not, and it can be set so fine that it will announce the nails in your shoes." "Immediately after chow, the 1,200 inmates march into the cell house, and by 5 p.m., while it is still daylight, are locked away in their cells for the long night." "All over the prison, in the other cell houses, men are filing along the galleries, standing before their cell doors." "On signal, the cell doors are opened by the bar men." "These are inmate trustees, and one bar man handles each tier of cells." "Again, on signal, the bar men close the cells." "These are the hardest hours of each prison day, when a man is left alone with his thoughts of what has been, of what might have been." "As another round of routine ends, every man behind these bars is dreaming of only one day-- the day of freedom." "This is Johnson, a long-termer." "Perhaps the boat model is, to him, a symbol of the open sea, of freedom to roam, of hope." "His cell neighbor is Sherbondy, in for the killing of an officer." "He was committed when he was 17." "He's now 29." "(dramatic music)" "**" "How is the new boat coming?" "Great." "She'll soon be ready to launch." "Is that all you're building?" "A boat?" "Why?" "I know when something's going on." "Wise guy, huh?" "You'll never make it." "I'm not in this alone." "We've got every angle figured." "We can't miss." "That's what they all think." "Look at Smalley, Hathaway, Lavergne." "They tried it more than once, and they're still here." "Murray made it." "He was out five years." "And they found him and brought him back." "So, we don't make the same mistakes." "Now, get this." "(footfalls)" "(narrator) Hope springs eternal, they say, and never more so than for those in prison." "Take Johnson, for instance-- the boat builder." "For months, he's been hoping." "For weeks, planning." "And now, he's decided to put those plans into operation." "It's just a matter of brains and of guts, and of a lot of scheming and a little luck." "Hi, Charlie." "Oh, hello, Willie." "Hi, Harry." "Nice weather for December." "Yeah, don't you just love the climate here?" "Got any souvenirs?" "Yeah." "Faith." "Hope." "This one's for charity." "They tell me you've got a load for me." "Yeah." "Take this control panel down to the desk sergeant's office." "I've got orders to install it this afternoon." "Nice work." "(narrator) Sure, they can put you behind bars." "Sure, they can set men to watch you, men with tear-gas billies and guns." "Sure, they can shove you around and stick a number on you and make you walk with your arms folded, but they can't keep you from having buddies, like New, a sharp little guy who'll try anything" "and always knows the score." "And there are others-- a fighting dozen of them." "Warden Best, with his big hat and his dogs and his tough guards." "There are always ways, if a man uses his head, and if he picks his pals." "So much for those who plot and plan." "Modern prison science follows the doctrine that besides work, man-- even man in prison-- must have recreation." "Once a week, a movie is shown in the auditorium, selected, of course, and properly approved, but something of the outside world, nevertheless-- something to be thought over and remembered and discussed during the coming week." "(dramatic music)" "**" "I found the one-reeler." "Ah, just in time." "The feature's just beginning." "Look, I know how you feel about what I told you, but" "I don't want any part of it." "Okay, if you want to rot in this joint, that's your business, but that doesn't mean you can't help us out." "I've got some stuff hidden in my cell that I've got to get rid of for the time being." "I won't touch it." "I counted on you as a friend, kid." "Look, I told you," "I don't want to get mixed up in anything." "Now, keep away from me, will ya?" "Beat it!" "(upbeat music)" "**" "What'd he say?" "No dice." "The date's been set." "We go the 30th." "Sure." "We need that guy." "He's got the one spot where the hitters will be safe." "Why don't you talk to him?" "I will." "Stop worrying." "He'll be with us." "I'm in on the break." "Yeah?" "How do you feel about it by now?" "I haven't changed." "You can't get away with it." "Seconds?" "Yeah, more corn." "What you got to lose?" "You're doing life." "Look, you don't need me." "We've got a special job for you." "I might be paroled in a few years." "Don't be a mug." "You killed a copper." "I've got a date in your department this afternoon." "Be seeing you then." "I understand you have a loose connection in the darkroom." "That's right." "Is it okay to go in?" "Wait a minute." "(knocking)" "Is it all right to open the door?" "(Sherbondy) Yeah." "Where's your trouble?" "Fuse box." "You can turn the lights on." "Quite a nice little set-up you've got here." "Quiet, probably lonesome." "With the clean record you've built up, they leave you pretty much alone, don't they?" "I get along." "I mind my own business." "Lone wolf." "It doesn't pay." "That's why they say, in jail, you should work together." "Okay, it's fixed." "Just burned out." "The whole building needs going over." "All right to turn the lights out now?" "I want to load some film." "Okay." "Use your head, kid." "A man would better be dead than locked up all his life." "Come on, straighten up a little." "(dramatic music)" "**" "(narrator) Yes, Sherbondy, a special job for you." "You're in this, whether you like it or not." "They need you." "You control the best hiding place in the prison." "No one can enter the darkroom without knocking, not even the guards." "Might spoil a batch of prints or X-ray negatives." "The officers trust you, would never suspect you of hiding murder weapons." "Yes, Sherbondy, you've been taken." "(knocking)" "Sherbondy, we want to come in." "Oh, uh-- uh, just a minute, till I put these prints away, will ya?" "(suspenseful music)" "**" "Okay." "Is that X-ray film ready yet?" "Oh, uh, yeah, yeah, I think so." "Here you are, Joe." "Yeah, the doc wants it." "If you think I'll dummy up on a rap like this, you're crazy." "Call a screw." "Tell them they'd come to plant it on you." "Would he believe you?" "Would the warden?" "No, he'd stick you in a hole from now on." "How do you know those guns will shoot?" "I'd stake my life on it." "Besides, we'll grab tear-gas guns from the guards." "They take a 12-gauge shell." "Then we'll hail when we go." "When we go." "When's that?" "The 30th." "How do you expect to get through the gate?" "It's all doped out." "Relax, Jimmy." "We'll tip you off when it's time to pack your weekend bag." "(dramatic music)" "**" "How's the kid, huh?" "How's Bob?" "Is he okay?" "He's well." "Look, I shot this last Sunday." "Gee, he looks bigger." "He is." "I never saw a child grow so fast." "Honey, he takes after you more and more every day." "You mean, he" "Oh, no." "Aw, the little son of a gun." "Gee, Billy, it's good to see you again." "Three years." "Keep it down." "I got the message you sent by that guy who was paroled last month." "Yeah?" "I did everything he told me." "You didn't use your real name?" "No, no, a phony." "Good." "Like you said I should." "He said everything had to be ready by the 30th." "Don't mention that date in here." "But why?" "Shh!" "Mrs. Wilson?" "Yes?" "The captain would like to see you a minute before you have your visit." "What's the matter?" "Is anything wrong?" "Well, I don't know." "He'll tell you all about it." "This way, please." "You're a smart kid, May." "Just lay low and wait." "I'll be seeing you on the outside." "But, Billy, you've got two more years to go in here." "Look, I can't talk now, but there's a deal coming off, and I'm gonna cut in on it." "Don't take any chances." "Forget it." "Talk about something else." "Say, uh, how's your old lady?" "Oh, she's swell." "You understand, Mrs. Wilson, what I told you about your brother is for his own good." "Yes, of course." "You tell him what I said, but put it in your own way." "You may save the boy a lot of trouble." "I understand." "I'll talk to him." "Thank you very much, captain." "It's all right." "You can see him now." "I'll send him in." "The captain spoke well of you, Jimmy." "He says you have a clean record so far and that you're doing a good job in the projection booth and in the darkroom too." "But I think there's one thing you might have forgotten." "(Jimmy) What's that?" "You kept bad company when you were a kid, Jimmy, and that's why you're here." "That sort of thing can happen to you on the inside as well as on the outside." "He says you're keeping bad company again." "What did he mean by that?" "He meant you've-- you've made the wrong kind of friends in prison." "You've got to be careful, Jimmy." "Don't forget, you're doing time for murder." "The fact that you were 17 when you were sentenced can work in your favor, but if you get into trouble now, they might keep you here for life." "But if I thought there was some chance for parole, ma-- maybe a few years, even" "There is a chance, Jimmy." "Did he say that?" "Yes." "Did he say when?" "Well, if you keep your record clean, as you have in the past, it's quite possible you might be out of here within ten years." "Ten years?" "That's right." "Oh, you've taken so much, Jimmy." "You can take that, can't you?" "I suppose I'll have to, sis." "So long, sis." "Open." "(overlapping shouting)" "(bell ringing)" "(cheering)" "Keep working on Sherbondy." "Sure, but what worries me is how we're gonna get these six guys out of solitary." "We can't go without 'em." "We'll get 'em out." "But how?" "We can't even talk to 'em." "We can't even get near 'em when they're in solitary." "Take it easy." "I'll get to them." "(whistle blowing)" "(referee) Seconds out." "(narrator) This is cell house six, the hotspot of the prison." "Over 200 of the hardest inmates call it home, and for the six most case-hardened of these, there is a block of cells known as solitary" "Little Siberia." "26." "Next time you threaten an officer, the warden will keep you in here for the rest of your time." "Go peddle your fish, screw." "Tough guy, huh?" "You ought to know." "You don't seem to be happy unless you're here in Siberia with your six pals." "Well, you'll get a good dose of it this time." "If 60 days don't cool you off," "I'll see that you get some more." "And that goes for the rest of you hyenas." "(blowing nose)" "Who'd you threaten?" "Gray himself." "Only next time, I won't stop with a threat." "Got any news for us?" "Plenty." "Everything's set." "Did you bring anything with you?" "You think I got myself buried in here to sit around for 60 days?" "I got a little Christmas present for you, Tolley." "Yeah?" "And one for myself." "We sweat blood to get these things." "If Gray finds 'em, we're sunk." "I think we've got a perfect set-up." "If I give you the dope, you could pass it on to the other guys." "Okay." "Joe, is it okay if I stay in from the main line tonight?" "I don't feel so good." "Maybe I scored a miss." "My stomach's upset." "Okay." "Thanks." "(narrator) The inmates are on their way to chow-- all but the six in solitary." "The cell house is almost deserted." "It is Carl Schwartzmiller, the ringleader, who makes the first open assault against authority, takes the first step toward freedom." "That noisy fan is noisy on purpose." "Organized carefully, neglected to oil it for several weeks, the racket it makes will cover for them." "The planning is over." "It's time for action." "It's all set." "Now, there can be no wavering, no turning back, no stopping." "Whatever comes, they must continue on the course they have chosen." "(overlapping chatter)" "Hi, Warden." "Hi, Tim." "Hi, Paddy." "Hi." "You want to take a hand in this, Roy?" "I can't, doc." "I went upstairs to a meeting, and I'm on my way back to prison." "You're wanted on the telephone, doctor." "The party says it's urgent." "Who's calling?" "Well, they didn't say, sir." "They only said it's-- it's liable to happen any minute." "Holy smoke!" "Roy, you'd better sit down and take my hand." "Sit down, Paddy." "Well, you forced me to it." "All right." "What are we playing?" "(overlapping chatter)" "Don't bring your topic here." "Aw, why do you keep handing me the dope one piece at a time?" "I want to know the whole set-up." "What happens next?" "We sic guys on the north perimeter and duck out any time we like." "The eight guys handling the locking bars to number six always leave ahead of the others." "We go when they go." "Where are the heaters?" "Outside." "There go the bar men now." "Okay, let's go." "(narrator) The usual routine-- the bar men returning early from mess." "Everything will be okay-- if some sharp guard doesn't count them, discover two more than there should be." "If only Johnson and Sherbondy can back into cell house six on time." "In the cell house, Morgan creeps into position, carefully, cautiously." "There must be no slip-up now." "This has been planned for weeks and months, all for these few minutes of this day." "Everything depends upon clockwork position, on every man doing his job right." "Morgan will be the first to attack." "His target has been picked." "Here come the bar men." "Routine." "Everything looks normal." "The sally port closes behind them." "(suspenseful music)" "**" "Johnson and Sherbondy are still with them." "They haven't been noticed." "What are you men doing here?" "(dramatic music)" "**" "(narrator) Tolley and Schwartzmiller are on time." "They've sawed their way out of Little Siberia." "**" "Did you get the key to the bar cage?" "Yeah, take it." "**" "(narrator) Now, to spring the other men in Little Siberia, the toughest crew in the whole prison." "**" "They'll have to hurry." "Things are taking longer than they'd planned." "If the other prisoners get back from mess too soon, everything could go wrong." "**" "The cell house six crowd is on their way back from mess." "200 guys." "What'll do we do with them?" "Oh, leave it to me, I'll handle it." "Open that door." "Come on, get the uniforms off these guys." "**" "Don't gang up, you guys!" "Keep that line moving!" "Go on!" "March to your cells, same as always!" "Keep moving!" "(overlapping chatter)" "Keep quiet!" "You guys don't want to forget, this thing fires tear-gas shells." "First guy that opens his yap to yell gets a load of it right in their mouth." "This is a break." "We've got a good chance." "Any of you guys want to go along, just say so." "Those who don't, keep your mouths shut and lay low!" "I'm doing life now." "I don't need no extra ten." "Come on, there's nothing to look at." "Get back in your holes!" "Hey, Schwartzmiller." "Huh?" "Don't forget, we're in on this." "Yeah, I know-- you and your friend here." "Go on, keep moving!" "Here comes Clark to make the count." "(scuffling)" "(narrator) Outside, it's beginning to snow-- the birth of a blizzard." "(phone ringing)" "Nonez speaking." "This is Clark in cell house six." "(thud)" "McLean's had a stroke." "Tell him to send Captain Gentry." "You'd better get a hold of the captain." "Send him up right away." "(hangs up call)" "He can't get Gentry." "They're sending another man." "Grab the guard when he comes in." "You mean, we're gonna wait for him?" "Let's take the men we've got and get out of here." "We haven't got enough." "Bring those other screws out." "We need all the guards we can pick up." "We gotta use 'em for cover when we hit the gate." "The tower guards will blast us if we don't." "They won't even see us in the snow." "What's the matter with you suckers?" "Haven't you got any guts?" "Shut up!" "Come on, screw, you're going for a little trip!" "Go on, get Gray out here!" "We can't take Joe Gray with us." "Why not?" "Why, Schwartzmiller half killed him." "We don't have to die on our hands." "Who says we don't?" "We don't need Gray." "The guy can't even walk." "So, what good is he?" "I'll finish the job on it." "No!" "Leave him alone." "Are you telling me what to do?" "Yeah, I'm telling you." "I didn't ask in on this party, see?" "But now that I'm in on it," "I'm not gonna let you foul it up just to satisfy a personal grudge." "Listen, this goes for all you guys!" "(scuffling)" "Here's another boyfriend to take along." "(scuffling)" "Are we set?" "Yeah." "Yeah." "If we clear the yard, we're on our way." "(dramatic music)" "**" "(suspenseful music)" "**" "Come on, we want the keys to the north gate." "I haven't got it." "You're lying." "I'm not." "It's kept during daytimes, never at night." "We can't wait for the key!" "They'll see us in a minute and start shooting!" "Maybe we can climb this thing." "Let me at that lock!" "Keep back, you guys!" "(smashing)" "(suspenseful music)" "**" "(banging)" "They found this key on Biggs." "See if it fits!" "**" "Got it!" "(chains rattling)" "**" "It's okay!" "The gate's open!" "**" "(telephone rings)" "McNally speaking." "What?" "No, there's no "Hill Gang" on tonight." "Why should there be?" "McNally, there's been a break!" "12 men gone," "Joe Gray nearly killed!" "(phone clattering)" "Get me the warden!" "(horn blowing)" "(whistle blowing)" "(narrator) The dread sound of the prison whistle, announcing a break, warning Cañon City." "The people hurry for their homes, to protect their families, to prepare for whatever may be coming, for the blast of that whistle always means trouble, suffering, bloodshed, death." "Cañon City can never forget the last time it blew-- a night of horror, 12 dead-- seven guards, five convicts." "Tonight, another break, a blizzard setting in and a tornado of desperate men at large." "The people get ready for anything and gather their children into their homes." "Warden Best hurries back to the prison, through the storm, to take command, to muster his forces." "Rifles and ammunition are issued for the manhunt." "The state police have been alerted." "A statewide alarm is out." "(alarm blaring)" "These three guards can't go any farther." "All right, we'll leave 'em here." "Come on." "(whistle blowing)" "The cops!" "Break it up!" "Scatter!" "(narrator) Even a newsboy's whistle means danger." "All of Cañon City is stirring like a nest of hornets." "People have one goal-- to get to the safety of their homes." "The fugitives have scattered." "One group got away in a laundry truck." "Others steal cars, like Schwartzmiller and his group." "The keys are still in it, the engine still warm." "Get in the back, screw!" "(dramatic music)" "**" "Listen, men, you all know the country." "It's rough outside tonight, and you're dealing with some rough men." "If possible, bring 'em in alive, but don't take any chances." "That's all." "Okay, warden." "Let's go, fellas." "(overlapping chatter)" "(suspenseful music)" "**" "(sirens blaring)" "**" "(tires squealing)" "**" "Nice driving, Curt." "You did all right." "I'd like to see you do as good on a night like this." "Where's the prison dairy farm?" "About a mile up the road." "You may find a car there, but you're wrong in thinking you'll get guns." "They keep 'em locked up in a vault." "That won't stop us." "Not tonight." "We'd better get off the road." "We'll go through that field." "No matter how we go, we leave tracks in the snow." "That's not a bad thought for a city guy, but I beat you to it." "Go ahead and walk in single file." "I'll follow you and wipe the tracks away." "The wind'll do the rest, stupid." "**" "Hey, where are you trying to take us?" "This isn't the dairy farm." "I know." "It's not far from here." "But I thought we'd go in here and get warm." "Whose place is this?" "A family by the name of Oliver." "Do they know you?" "No, I don't think so." "Maybe they got a car." "Yeah, we'll find out." "You keep your mouth shut." "(dramatic music)" "(door closes)" "Excuse us for tracking in the snow." "Mrs. Oliver?" "Why didn't you knock?" "You scared me half to death." "(laughing) I'm sorry." "You see, we're in a hurry." "We're officers from the pen." "I suppose you heard about the prison break." "Yes, we heard it on the radio." "You got a phone?" "No." "No." "Well, uh, our car was wrecked, and we lost some guns." "We'd like to borrow some of yours, and your car too, if you don't mind." "Well, I don't know." "Now, listen he" "Uh, you've got guns, haven't you?" "Uh, yes." "Yes, we've got guns." "A .38 pistol and a .22 rifle." "I'll get 'em for you." "That's very nice of you, friend." "We want ammunition too." "Go get yourself warmed up." "Poor guy got a chill when the car turned over." "Ripped the coat right off his back." "Seems to me, you men should have on overcoats in this kind of weather." "Well..." "How'd you come to lose your guns?" "They got smashed in the wreck." "Of course, we've still got these tear-gas billies." "They're loaded with shotgun shells." "They'd make a nasty hole in a person." "Yes, they would." "Dear me." "Where are the keys to your car, Mrs. Oliver?" "The car won't start." "What do you mean, it won't start?" "Well, the engine's cold." "The battery's run down." "Now, don't give us that!" "Take it easy, chum." "Well, you-- it wouldn't start for me." "You can try it yourself, if you want to." "Here are the keys." "It's out by the barn." "Thanks." "Oh, don't mind him." "He's got a nervous disposition." "I wish he'd control it." "I've got one too." "You must have been half frozen." "(Schwartzmiller) Yeah, but he feels a whole lot better now." "Sit down, boys." "(radio announcer) Bulletin" "The 12 escaped convicts are still at large." "These men are armed and dangerous." "Four prison officials injured by the escapees have been taken to the hospital." "One is near death." "Officer Winston Williams, kidnapped as a hostage, is missing." "It is not yet known what has become of him." "You were right, lady." "Your stinkin' car won't start!" "Looks like the whole blasted country's froze up." "How do we get to the dairy farm from here?" "You can't miss it." "You follow the road out front." "You'll come to Superintendent Higgins' house first." "Where is Higgins' office?" "In the farm dormitory, a couple of hundred feet from the house." "One of us had better stay here, just in case." "I'll stay." "Get a car and pick me up here." "Keep an eye on this guy before he goes nuts." "Don't forget to come back!" "I'll come back!" "(door closes)" "Funny-- if you're prison guards, you don't know where the dairy farm is." "We're new on the job, Mr. Oliver." "We don't know this country yet." "Then how can you go hunting escaped convicts?" "I..." "I was just getting supper." "I'm sure you wouldn't object to a nice, hot cup of cocoa." "You'd like one, wouldn't you, Mr. Williams?" "Hey!" "You said these people didn't know you." "We don't, but we heard the radio." "Yeah, he's Williams, and we're cons." "Sit down, Mr. Oliver." "Take it easy." "(Mrs. Oliver) Anything else you'd like?" "Yeah, some fruit, maybe." "Oranges." "I've got some." "You know, you don't look like a criminal." "I'm not." "They got the wrong man." "Get the cocoa." "(wind howling)" "12 men?" "My goodness, what time did it happen?" "No, I didn't know a thing about it." "Lonnie's been writing letters since suppertime, and we haven't had the radio on." "He stepped over to the farm dormitory." "Maybe he's heard something about it." "I'll talk to him and call you back." "Good-bye." "(bell ringing)" "(phone ringing)" "Hello?" "Oh, it's you, Minnie." "Yeah, I heard about it." "The boys here in the dormitory got it over the radio." "That's right, 12 of the toughest cons in the pen." "You be careful, now." "Don't worry about me." "(knocking)" "Wait a minute." "There's someone at the door." "Oh, it's all right, Lonnie." "It's two guards from the prison." "They likely want to use the phone." "I'll call you back." "Well, I guess I don't know you boys." "No, I guess you don't." "You're from the prison, aren't you?" "We're from the prison, all right." "We work on the graveyard shift." "They got us out of bed to chase the cons that made a break." "I just heard about it." "Terrible, wasn't it?" "Yeah, worst break since '29." "Oh, the only break since '29." "But Roy Best will get them back." "So he says." "Where's your husband, Mrs. Higgins?" "(dramatic music)" "**" "He's over to the farm dormitory." "Where's that?" "Just down the road a beat." "You can see it from here." "Funny, you don't know where the dormitory is, if you're prison guards!" "Never mind what we are!" "Our car broke down." "We want you to get your car out and drive us to Pueblo." "Boys, I couldn't take my car out on a night like this." "The roads are covered with ice." "Those rifles belong to my son." "Where does he keep his ammunition?" "I don't know anything about that." "We've got no time to fool around with you." "We want that ammunition, and we want your car, and you're gonna drive it." "Now, where is it?" "Locked in the garage." "Where are the keys?" "I don't know that, either." "You better not lie to us!" "This guy's a little upset, but I'm not, see?" "I'm glad to hear that." "You're convicts, aren't you?" "Yeah." "I was doing life for murder." "Get the angle?" "I guess I do." "Then go across." "All right." "My husband changed his clothes before he went out." "He left his other things in the bedroom closet." "Maybe the car keys are in his pocket." "I'll go see." "You'll do that." "We'll be-- Right behind you." "The keys must be somewhere among his clothes, but I'll have to hunt for them." "He's like most men-- no system whatever." "Always losing his keys." "He's liable to drop 'em any old place." "Find 'em-- that's all we want." "You'd think a man would have one place for his things, but not Lonnie." "Anytime he wants anything, he's got to go digging all through his pockets." "Keep quiet!" "You make me stop talking, I'll only start yelling." "Then you will be mad!" "I'm doing the best I can." "Here they are." "Give 'em here!" "That's what I'm trying to do!" "You make me so nervous, I can't hang onto anything!" "Okay, come on." "Let's get out of here." "All right, all right," "I'm coming as fast as I can." "(cocks gun)" "(dramatic music)" "**" "Oh!" "(ringing)" "Hello?" "Hello?" "Is that you, Minnie?" "(ringing)" "(phone ringing)" "If that gun had been loaded, you'd have killed us both!" "That's what you'd do to me!" "(phone ringing)" "Why does that phone keep ringing?" "You'll find out!" "Wait a minute!" "She knows the roads, and we don't!" "Come on, you!" "Oh!" "Oh!" "(crashing)" "(suspenseful music)" "**" "Oh, Lonnie!" "Oh, Lonnie!" "(wind howling)" "(radio announcer) This is station KRLN, broadcasting from Warden Best's office." "Two of the escaped convicts have been reported in the vicinity of the Lon Higgins home." "Help is on its way there now." "All citizens are urged to keep off the streets, stay in your homes, and report anything suspicious." "Looks like your friends may not come back." "Yeah, it looks like it." "More cocoa?" "No, thanks." "Cigarette, Williams?" "Yeah, thanks." "Hey, wait a minute." "Sit down." "Careful about those sudden moves, Williams." "Why don't you go to bed, Ethel?" "What good would I do in bed?" "Do you think I could sleep?" "He doesn't expect you to sleep." "He figures you could signal for help from the bedroom window." "You stay right here with us and see the fun." "(Mrs. Oliver) You know, there's one thing I'm curious about." "Yeah, go ahead and ask me." "I'll wring your whole towel dry." "You seem to be an educated person." "Education seldom goes hand in hand with crime." "So, why did I become a criminal?" "No, not that, but what were you charged with?" "Well, this time," "I still have to commit murder." "The first time, it was grand theft auto." "Then, armed robbery, armed robbery again, then a parole violation, and an escape." "I'm still wanted in Illinois." "I've been in the can on and off since I was 20 years old." "Now tell me crime doesn't pay." "Well, it seems to pay the wardens." "Haven't you any ambitions?" "Sure." "I want to commit the perfect crime." "You say you have 22 years to go." "That's bad enough." "Is this any better?" "How could you take such a terrible chance?" "I couldn't stand it around there." "The joint's full of cheap thieves." "What are you doing now, sister?" "I'm gonna get a cup for myself." "Is it all right?" "Yeah, but don't get me wrong, sister." "I'd kill to stay out of that joint." "You mean, it's bad there?" "Well, not the way you see it, but you can't lock men up and expect them to stay put, not even if you feed 'em off gold plates." "They'll always fight to get out and take the gold plates with 'em." "Can't you get anything but the local station on this box?" "We must have made the headlines on the major networks." "(swing music)" "**" "(suspenseful music)" "**" "(radio announcer) Again, a bulletin from Warden Best's office." "Two of the escaped convicts, Smalley and Hathaway, have been returned to the prison." "So far, five of the escaped convicts have been recaptured." "These men state that the break was planned and led by Richard Heilman, a life termer." "Heilman is still at large." "Stay tuned to this station for information and warning announcements." "Warden Best warns the people of Three Mile County to be on their guard." "Keep your doors locked." "Admit no strangers." "How do you like that?" "Giving Heilman all the credit." "That dope had nothing to do with it." "I was the" "What are you doing?" "Listening to the radio." "What do you got under your apron?" "I thought you might like another orange." "Oh, thanks." "I can't stay here much longer." "The minute I get out of sight, one of you would duck for a phone." "The best way would be to take you all with me, but I can't do that, because I got nothing to take you in." "I don't want to kill you." "I wouldn't like that." "So, I'll have to tie you all up but good, give myself plenty of time." "Meanwhile, the fires will go out, and we'll freeze." "That might kill us anyway." "It's tough, but that's the way it's got to be." "(vehicle approaching)" "(man) This isn't the place." "It's a half-mile down the road." "You see?" "A half-truck full of officers, and they started coming to the house." "Just lucky they changed their mind." "I see." "I'll take those." "(suspenseful music)" "**" "Aah!" "(crashing)" "**" "(crashing)" "**" "(Williams) Get me some rope!" "Have you got him?" "I've got him." "You're sure?" "I'm sure." "Dear me, I feel so funny." "What's the matter?" "Has she fainted?" "No." "Well, by golly, you should." "(narrator) Meanwhile, New and Hernandez come to May's home for help." "Is this the house?" "Yeah." "(knocking on door)" "(knocking)" "Oh, boy." "I heard about the break on the radio, but I never dreamed it" "We needed to wait till we got the chance." "There's no time for gab now." "We want to get rid of these rags, change our clothes." "Come on, quick." "Get-- get me an outfit for my friend." "Okay, Billy." "Well, is that a package?" "Yeah, but look, ain't you worried about the cops?" "You do the worrying." "(May) Here." "These things will fix him up." "I'll go get your clothes packed." "Make yourself at home, Georgie." "(wind howling)" "How are you, Georgie?" "Who else is in there?" "Nobody." "How did you know we was here?" "Ask the warden." "(dramatic music)" "**" "Okay, New, the party's over!" "(gunfire)" "**" "(phone ringing)" "Hello." "Yes, the warden speaking." "Swell." "Yeah?" "Where at?" "Well, anybody hurt?" "That's fine." "Bring him in." "(radio announcer) They got New and Hernandez?" "At the home of a girl who just moved to town." "I guess it pays to keep track of my boys' girlfriends." "(laughing)" "(wind howling)" "(radio announcer) Warden Best announces the capture of Carl Schwartzmiller after a fierce struggle in the farm home of Mr. And Mrs. Lawrence Oliver." "Warden Best again warns you of the dangerous character of these men." "Six are still at large" "Morgan, Heilman, Freeman, Tolley," "Johnson, and Sherbondy." "Aah!" "(radio announcer) This is station KRLN, broadcasting from Warden Best's office." "All citizens are urged..." "Is the phone working?" "Not since the storm." "(clattering)" "How about it, mister?" "You wouldn't be him, would you?" "No." "Okay, sit down." "You're next, kid." "Take it easy, folks." "If anybody gets hurt, it'll be your own fault." "Remember, we're not here to play dominoes." "It's life and death to us, see?" "And the same to you." "How many men in the family?" "(man) myself and two boys." "Where's the other one?" "He's in the Army." "Then he must have plenty of good, warm clothes." "We want 'em." "You-- get 'em, kid, and no foolin'." "You go with him." "Who are you snapping your fingers at?" "At you, slug!" "Go on, do what I tell you!" "Next, we want some food to take with us." "That's your department, Mrs." "What's your name?" "Smith." "Okay, Smith, I want you to pack a big, fat lunch for three hungry guys." "Get going." "Just as you say." "You come with me, Maxine." "Uh-uh, she stays here." "Take the kids." "Any liquor in the house?" "We never touch it." "Heh." "I haven't touched it myself for ten years." "Put on a big pot of coffee, Mrs. Smith." "You people must have some guns here, with shells for 'em." "We've got a couple of .22 rifles with ammunition." ".22s?" "Look, I know you hunt deer in this county." "You've got something heavier than rabbit guns." "A couple of 30-30s stashed away someplace?" "Where are they?" "The .22s" "are all we've got." "Who do you think you're kidding?" "What are you gonna do?" "Hey!" "You don't have to convince him you're tough." "Keep your hands off him!" "Okay, pappy." "Show me where you keep your guns." "How old are you?" "(crying) 17." "How far is this place from town?" "(sniffles)" "Eight miles." "Why did you have to stop here?" "Why didn't you go on?" "Well, we ran out of gas." "(crying)" "Hey, nobody's gonna hurt you." "(crying)" "You're gonna be all right." "There's plenty of his stuff in there." "There's enough for all of us." "It'll feel good to get these wet things off." "My feets are frozen." "Come on, Freeman." "I'm okay." "All I need is another coat, so as I can ditch this uniform." "Keep your eyes on the road, Tolley." "You don't have to tell me to do that." "Where's the stuff, kid?" "Right in here." "Are those all the guns they've got?" "So he says." "Load 'em, will you?" "We need some gas." "Most of you ranchers have storage tanks." "You've got one, ain't ya?" "(Mr. Smith) Yes, but it's empty." "We'll find out about that." "Show me where the tank is, honey." "It's just out there, at the side of the house." "Okay, come on, show me." "Take it easy, mister." "Sit down." "Sit down." "There's the tank." "Where?" "Right there, in front of you." "Don't get excited." "Nobody's gonna hurt you." "I haven't seen anything like you since they locked me up." "(gasping)" "Now, listen, kid." "You're pretty keen about your old man, ain't ya?" "You mean, Mr. Smith?" "He's not my father, he's my uncle." "Just the same, you wouldn't want him to get hurt." "No, of course not." "Then don't be that way!" "(gasping)" "Or I will get tough with you." "(whimpering)" "(screaming) No, let me" "Stay where you are!" "That means you too!" "Where's Freeman?" "He's out there." "(Maxine) Let me go!" "Please, no!" "Get inside, you!" "Listen, chump, I know how your mind works, and I don't like it!" "I want you to leave these women alone!" "You want me?" "Hey!" "Who's running this picnic?" "That's what I want to know." "Are you telling me what to do?" "You dumb apes!" "You've been framing this break ever since you've been buried in the can." "I didn't want any part of it, but you dragged me into it, see?" "There's only one shell in this trick heater, but it's a 12-gauge, see, and it spreads." "Well, how about it?" "You want a sample?" "That's how you'll end-- killing each other." "Yeah, maybe you're right, lady, but we're not gonna mess up your dining room." "We're moving out of here, see?" "I mean, now." "How do we travel without the gas?" "You've got a car, haven't you, Smith?" "Yes." "Then, that's how we travel." "Go on, outside." "Nice guys." "Come on, kid, show us where the car is." "If we run into trouble, we'll be back." "I guess you'd hate that." "I don't blame you." "Here's the sandwiches, with coffee." "Thanks." "Go on." "Tell the kid I'm-- Tell her nothing." "(engine sputtering)" "(engine turns over)" "(radio announcer) The two convicts who invaded the home of Mrs. Lon Higgins earlier this evening later shot at our prison officers at an isolated cabin, where they had taken refuge." "One convict wounded, the other killed." "No answer." "The lines are still down." "Ma, Ma, they're coming back!" "Ma!" "Oh, go back to room, children!" "Go on!" "Maxine, you stay with them!" "(pounding on door)" "Open up, or we're breaking in!" "Oh, let them in!" "They'll kill us if we" "(gasping)" "Turn out the lights in the kitchen." "Hurry up!" "You said they'd followed us here." "There's a half-truck coming!" "There's gonna be shooting!" "Lie down on the floor!" "Not you, pappy." "I need you for a front." "Here they come!" "(suspenseful music)" "**" "(brakes screeching)" "**" "Smith, are you in there?" "(gunfire)" "**" "(window shattering)" "**" "(gunfire)" "**" "Get on the floor!" "Do you want to be killed?" "(gunfire)" "**" "Those men are gone." "You can come in now." "(narrator) Of the fugitives cornered at the Smith home, only Sherbondy makes good his getaway." "The whole countryside is alive with pursuers." "The blizzard is increasing in intensity, merciless alike to the hunters and the hunted." "(dogs barking)" "(dramatic music)" "**" "Sherbondy finds a safe hiding place." "**" "Tolley was captured, waiting in the freezing waters of a creek to hide his tracks." "He's badly frostbitten." "He's the ninth accounted for." "Freeman put up a savage struggle." "Wounded, defiant, cursing his captors, he's stopped in his tracks only by the knowledge that he will be shot down if he makes a move." "He's number ten to be checked off." "That leaves two still at large" "Sherbondy and Johnson, the boat builder." "(train whistle blowing)" "Johnson is the one who decided to go it alone." "It's now 4:00 in the afternoon of the next day." "Johnson has been free for almost 24 hours-- running, hiding, going without food." "He battles his way up, out of the gorge." "It's a rock-wall trap." "(dramatic music)" "**" "(gunfire)" "**" "(gunshot)" "**" "(gunfire)" "**" "Only number 12, James Sherbondy, is still at large." "After 48 hours, hunger forces him from hiding." "**" "(Sherbondy) Lock that door!" "Pull down the shade!" "I saw your pictures in the paper." "Yeah, you're Sherbondy." "(panting)" "You people got a phone here?" "No phone." "See for yourself." "I will." "I don't want to hurt anybody, see?" "But you've got to give me something to eat." "Well, I guess I could fry a couple of eggs for you." "Yeah, yeah, make if five eggs." "Rustle up some soup, coffee, milk." "Don't touch me!" "(Mrs. Bauer) Leave him alone." "Your first name's James, isn't it?" "Sit down, Jimmy." "And be careful of that cannon you've got there." "It's the craziest-lookin' thing I ever saw." "It'll kill." "It will?" "My goodness, you must be starved." "Here, maybe this milk will hold you 'til I can get something ready for you." "(Mr. Bauer) One of the escaped convicts is dead." "Three of them are wounded." "They got ten of them the first night-- all but you and another fella." "The National Guard's been all out, looking for you-- and airplanes." "(exhales)" "Thanks." "Don't mention it." "Land sakes." "I haven't eaten anything since supper, Tuesday night." "I see you people have a car outside." "It's so cold, we can't get it started." "We'll get it started, somehow." "We're all gonna take a little trip." "Not now." "Toward morning." "Where are we going?" "We'll head for Pueblo." "If we meet anybody, I'll be on the floor, under a blanket, with this in my hand." "It'll be up to you to tell a good story." "How do you like 'em?" "Straight up or turned over?" "Straight up." "Okay." "They'll be ready in a minute." "What time is it?" "Just past 7:00." "Take it easy, Jimmy." "Yeah." "(toy gun firing)" "Hey, pretty keen, ain't it?" "Jerry got it for Christmas." "Yeah, I never had anything like this when I was a kid." "I used to practice with one whittled out of wood." "(cat meows)" "Machine Gun Kelly." "(imitates rapid gunfire)" "(cat meows)" "Makin' believe I was blasting all the kids that pushed me around." "Gradually, I got the idea that a guy could get places with a gun." "Oh, what a sucker idea that was." "(Mr. Bauer) You started early." "Yeah." "(cat meows)" "A kid begins with hoisting milk bottles off a doorstep, or apples from a fruit stand." "He finds it easy to get what other people have got." "First thing you know, he's got a heater in his hand, and one night, some guy with real guts scares the pants off him, and he pulls the trigger." "You killed a deputy, didn't you?" "He was after me, and we shot it out." "A good man died, and I thought I was a great guy." "I hadn't got any sense that I'd been in the can a while." "I might have gotten a parole in ten years, but I just couldn't wait that long." "(child fusses)" "He seems to have a fever." "He hasn't been well." "Do you mind if I take him and-- and put him to bed?" "Oh, sure, go ahead." "(child fusses)" "(ticking)" "**" "(moaning)" "Be quiet, sweetie, just for a few minutes." "Wait 'til Mommy sees what your temperature is." "It's bad." "Worse than I thought." "Look." "Haven't you got any medicine for him?" "Nothing that'll help." "The doctor told me this might happen, and if it did, I was to get Jerry to the hospital as fast as I could." "It's his appendix." "Mommy, it hurts." "I know, darling." "We'll get it fixed soon." "He can't stay here." "I've got to get him to town." "It might rupture if I don't, and you know what that means." "Yeah, but you said you couldn't get your car started." "I could take him across the road to Mr. Brooks." "His car is okay." "He'll take us in." "And the minute he gets you to the hospital, he'll call the prison." "No, he won't." "I won't tell him anything about you being here." "You expect me to believe that?" "You've got to." "(crying) You've got to." "(dramatic music)" "Here." "Take him, and make it quick, before I change my mind." "(crying) Oh!" "Honey, wait." "But don't forget, lady, you're leaving your husband and your little girl here." "You turn me in, they'll get hurt." "You can trust me!" "Trust her!" "You can." "She'll keep her word." "What's a promise, made to a guy like me?" "She knows you two are safe!" "I don't want to hurt anybody!" "I just want to be free!" "(door slams)" "He's gone, he's gone!" "Yes." "He's gone." "(crying)" "**" "(narrator) 300 men are hunting you, Sherbondy-- prison guards, city and state police," "National Guardsmen, citizen volunteers, combing the frozen highlands for you." "This is your freedom, Sherbondy." "The sound of a car, and you're a hunted animal, diving for cover, always ready to flee or to fight." "Hold it!" "Get out of there!" "Hold it there, I can use this car!" "Bauer." "I got her started." "I thought I'd catch up with you." "What's the idea?" "You said you wanted to get to Pueblo." "I knew you'd never make it on foot." "My boy might have died." "You let him live." "This is the least I could do." "Come on, get in." "Why did you bring the kid?" "I had no place to leave her." "Besides, she wanted to come." "I like you, and you forgot to say good-bye." "Remember, Bauer, you're not doing this because you want to, but because I'm making you." "I mean that." "I've got my gun on you, see, all the time." "Yeah, I know." "**" "Look." "**" "What do we do now?" "What can we do?" "Good-bye, kid." "Will they hurt you?" "Naw." "They'll treat me like I've never been away." "**" "Oh, no, don't!" "(crying) No, don't!" "No." "You'll see him again." "You'll see him again." "No!" "Don't cry, dear." "(narrator) It is 61 hours after the break." "All 12 have been crossed out, checked off, accounted for." "The reign of terror is over." "Two of the 12 lie in the prison morgue." "The other ten are here, back in solitary, back in the Siberia of Colorado State Prison." "They will be here for a long time." "Meanwhile, in the warden's home..." "Here in the home of Warden Roy Best, in Cañon City, Colorado, are two brave women who distinguished themselves on a night which will be long remembered by the people of this community." "Acting on behalf of Governor Lee Knaus of Colorado," "Warden Best is presenting these ladies with "The Denver Post" Gold Medal Award for Heroism." "Warden Best." "Mrs. Higgins, Mrs. Oliver..." "Are you nervous?" "I'm shaking like a leaf." "So am I." "You didn't tell me this would be heard on the radio." "Well, I knew if I did, you wouldn't show up." "We men like to think that we have all the physical courage, but on the night of the break, you girls certainly stole the show." "These gold medals, awarded by "The Denver Post,"" "testify that the State of Colorado is proud of you." "Congratulations." "Thank you so much." "Thank you, warden." "And Mrs. Oliver, if I just had you patrolling the yard with that hammer, my troubles would be over." "(laughter)" "Warden, may I speak to you a moment?" "Certainly, Mrs. Bauer." "Have a chair." "Will you tell me what you've done with James Sherbondy?" "All ten of those men are in solitary confinement." "That's pretty bad, isn't it?" "Well, they're pretty bad boys." "Will you keep Sherbondy in that long?" "That, I can't answer." "When he let me take my boy to the hospital, he knew it meant recapture." "My little girl and I have prayed for him ever since." "Remember the ten lepers who were cleansed by Our Savior?" "One returned to give glory to God." "Please do what you can for him." "(narrator) Is there hope?" "Yes, even here in prison, there's always hope." "But the way back for the violent and the savage, whether they be men or groups or nations, can only be by the road of right and law and justice." "**"