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      Big House, U.S.A.

      Released Mar 3, 1955 1h 22m Crime Drama List
      Reviews 36% Fewer than 50 Ratings Audience Score Extortionist Jerry Barker (Ralph Meeker) accidentally comes upon a runaway child and uses the opportunity to take the boy and demand a ransom. After collecting the money, Barker flees when he discovers the boy has accidentally fallen to his death. The FBI becomes involved, and Barker is apprehended, but without a body, he's only sentenced for extortion. In prison, Barker is placed with hardened criminal Rollo Lambert (Broderick Crawford), who plots a breakout to get the hidden ransom. Read More Read Less

      Critics Reviews

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      Nicholas Bell IONCINEMA.com Forgettable and rather unenthusiastically presented, Big House, U.S.A. is only notable for avid fans of one of the famed cast members. Rated: 2/5 Oct 21, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

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      Biker B Another great noir type movie! Definitely ahead of it's time showing what prisoners are really like! Great movie Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/25/23 Full Review Audience Member Somehow original, Kidnapping a kidnapper was well planned, however the kidnapper role was not fitting the actor playing itself Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/16/23 Full Review Audience Member This is a 1955 movie and full of the old familiar actors I watched on the 3:00 afternoon movies after school, while my friends watched cartoons. I've always loved movies. It was a good story and entertaining but I must admit, I laughed out loud more than once at the dialog. My absolute favorite in came at the very end. I'm sure I won't be giving away anything when I tell you the FBI got their men. The voice over had the FBI agt telling that Broderick Crawford's character had been captured. But I lost it when he of him "a bank robber and an advisor to bank robbers." This was in the last minute of the film Absolutely hysterical!! Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/19/23 Full Review delysid d this movie was like a breath of fresh air after being exposed to this netflix garbage Rated 3 out of 5 stars 05/04/19 Full Review Audience Member An interesting prison escape drama with elements of documentary in it. Includes some excellent performances including supporting roles from Lon Chaney and a very young Charles Bronson. The kidnapping plot towards the end is enjoyed, and is brutal in some places for a 1950s film. Recommended! Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review Audience Member This is a astonishing movie made in 1955, by Bel-Air Productions (who). I watch this via Netflixs instant watch (excellent deal); The movie was mostly filmed in the Royal Gorge of Colorado, a forgotten landmark in the United States. The scenes were breathtaking. This movie contained so many film greats. Broderick Crawford, Ralph Meeker, William Talman, Lon Chaney Jr., Charles Bronson and of course child actor in 1955 Peter J. Votrian. The movie is about a young boy who runs away from summer camp only to be found by the man who wants to kidnap him. The boy dies by accident but the kidnapper goes through with collecting the ransom. It follows the story as the kidnapper is put in prison only to escape to collect the hidden money, many twist and turns, this film will make you a watcher of the forgotten Black & White Film Noir. 5 Stars I'm Hooked,. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/23/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

      Cast & Crew

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      Big House, U.S.A.

      Big House, U.S.A. (1955) Big House, U.S.A. (1955) Big House, U.S.A. (1955) Big House, U.S.A. (1955) Big House, U.S.A. (1955) View more photos

      Movie Info

      Synopsis Extortionist Jerry Barker (Ralph Meeker) accidentally comes upon a runaway child and uses the opportunity to take the boy and demand a ransom. After collecting the money, Barker flees when he discovers the boy has accidentally fallen to his death. The FBI becomes involved, and Barker is apprehended, but without a body, he's only sentenced for extortion. In prison, Barker is placed with hardened criminal Rollo Lambert (Broderick Crawford), who plots a breakout to get the hidden ransom.
      Director
      Howard W. Koch
      Screenwriter
      John C. Higgins
      Production Co
      Bel-Air Productions, Camden Productions, Inc.
      Genre
      Crime, Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Mar 3, 1955, Limited
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Apr 29, 2017
      Runtime
      1h 22m