Parole, Inc ** (1948, Michael O’Shea, Turhan Bey, Evelyn Ankers) – Classic Movie Review 12,159

‘Sensational! Shocking! The inside story of the Nation’s Worst Crime Plot!’ Parole officers fight gangsters infiltrating the US parole system in the 1948 film noir crime thriller Parole, Inc.

Michael O’Shea plays an ace FBI operative, agent Richard Hendricks, who infiltrates a gang plotting to free dangerous crooks and killers from jail, getting them unjustifiably released on parole by means of a corrupt prison parole board. Hendricks infiltrates the gang by posing as wanted convict Rick Carson. But gang boss Barney Rodescu (Turhan Bey) uncovers Carson’s identity, endangering his life. It starts with Hendricks in a hospital bed dictating the results of his investigation for a report to the California Governor, prompting long flashback scenes showing the investigation.

Parole, Inc is an interesting, short, fast-paced if predictable drama that delivers no special surprises or great thrills, and that never really manages to escape the restraints of its low budget. The basic script and production need a lift but the handling and the acting are no more than adequate.

Also in the cast are Virginia Lee, Lyle Talbot, Charles Jordan, Noel Cravat, Paul Bryar, Charles Williams, Michael Whalen, Charles Bradstreet, and James Cardwell.

Parole, Inc is directed by Alfred Zeisler, runs 72 minutes, is made by Orbit Productions and Equity Pictures, is released by Eagle Lion, is written by Sherman T Lowe, is shot in black and white by Gilbert Warrenton, is produced by Constantin J David, and scored by Alexander Laszlo.

It was released on 24 November 1948 in Los Angeles.

The cast are Michael O’Shea as Richard Hendricks, Turhan Bey as Barney Rodescu, Evelyn Ankers as Jojo Dumont, Virginia Lee as Glenda Palmer, Charles Bradstreet as Harry Palmer, Lyle Talbot as Police Commissioner Hughes, Michael Whalen as Kid Redmond, Charles Williams as Titus Jones, James Cardwell as Duke Vigili, Paul Bryar as Charley Newton, Noel Cravat as Blackie Olson, Charles Jordan as Monty Cooper.

© Derek Winnert 2022 Classic Movie Review 12,159

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