Prison Garb
In 1940, Warner Brothers made a gangster movie that was a hit about a petty crook who thought he was the "cat's pajamas." He made one to many wrong moves and ended up being captured. After conviction, he was sent to the "Castle on the Hudson" aka Sing Sing Prison in Ossining, New York, just north of the boroughs of New York City, adjacent to the Hudson River.
In my posting of September 5, 2024, I featured a photograph of a black-eyed crook in a baggy, white union suit being accompanied by a police officer. Wondering from whence this came, I asked for your help in identifying. Here's the posting:
BUSTED - This Miscreant Apprehended Late One Night in his Underwear!
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With a black eye and sore shoulder, he's
caught, arrested and taken away in his Union Suit.
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In short order, Ronnie of Tallahassee, Florida answered. He intoned: "The picture is from the 1940 movie, "Castle on the Hudson," directed by Anatole Litvak. Pat O'brien plays the warden and John Garfield plays the dapper union suit wearer. Hope this helped ...Ronnie" In the further comments' section of the posting, Bill (no hometown or region indicated) said, "Hopefully, Chris will do a full posting on this movie."
Upon receiving this information, I watched the movie and found it particularly entertaining. Not only for a congenial long johns' scene but for a pretty darn good story. The film was based on the book, "Twenty Thousand Years in Sing Sing" by Lewis E. Lawes. It was also a remake of the 1932 film of the same title, starring Spencer Tracy.
If you enjoy "cop movies" from yesteryear, have a look at his film. In the meantime, here you go Ronnie and Bill for the story line and more scenes from "Castle on the Hudson."
John Garfield stars as Tommy Gordon, a small time crook who led a big heist, was caught, and eventually sentenced to seven years at Sing Sing. Having been brought to the notorious prison, he made a splash on his first day.
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But not everyone was impressed.
the leg length was too short!
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He deeply felt he should be allowed to wear his own expensive suit, dress shirt and tie. Perhaps the prison guard would understand his predicament. Excuse me sir...
The guard didn't give a flip who he was or what he wanted; a flagrant insult.
Gordon, a hot head, took matters into his own hands with a fist to the kisser....
....With his pants falling down, a brawl commenced. Throwing fists, shoes and anything else he could get his hands on, Gordon pushed hard against the establishment.
That was until he tripped over his pants which he forgot to buckle.
Not surprisingly, against heavy police odds, he finally was brought to heel:
The warden knew just what to do. "Tell him he doesn't have to wear the prison garb. And, oh by the way, place him in a holding cell while he cools off."
And, cooling off is just what happened to the hapless Gordon
as he sat in his union suit underwear
with only a blanket to help keep warm.
Finally, a decision was made to release him. Prison authorities came for him. He was marched out of the holding cell, attired only in his long underwear and boots....
Throwing off the blanket and feeling smug and dignified
even though he wore only a union suit,
he was now getting some where; about time!
Out he was marched in front of the other incarcerated souls,
locked in their cells along side of him....
For a bit he put up with their catcalls, but finally he'd had enough. They couldn't talk to the great Gordon like that. He lunged at the others, threatening to shut them up, or else, and then continuing on his way....
Ahhh finally, a breath of fresh air:
but man was it cold, and him in just his long underwear!!
But maybe, after being transferred to a better, more comfortable place,
he'd get back his proper dress clothes, suit, white shirt and tie.
Clothes more suited to his station in life.
But first, he had to swallow his pride, and march past other convicts
across the parade grounds, still clad in only his union suit:
Continuing to where ever he was being taken, he endured additional insults and cat calls from the other misanthropes.
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For the other inmates, did it ever overcome the monotony of their everyday life, seeing a fellow inmate being marched across the yard in only his underwear! Ha!
But not for Gordon. This excercise was humiliating and certainly beneath the dignity of such a distinquished gentleman.
Hmmm, now what's this? Has he finally arrived at a next destination.
Perhaps now, he'll get out of the cold
and away from gleeful eyes and taunts of the other prisoners.
Or, maybe not!
So, grab some popcorn, turn on the tv, and view this movie,
found on a number of streaming sites.
You'll likely will be interested in that which eventually happens to Gordon.
A special thanks to Warner Brothers, the producers and actors of this worthy film.
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