Parole Inc.

1948

crime, drama

Taken from IMDB:When several notorious criminals are unjustifiably released on parole, the Federal Government smells a rat and sends ace agent Richard Hendricks to investigate. Hendricks infiltrates the gang, responsible for the parole racket by posing as a much-wanted convict Rick Carson. However, the wily Barney Rodescu, who is the brain behind the racket, soon finds out Carson's true identity. Carson's life is now in grave danger.

Parole, Inc. is a 1948 American film directed by Alfred Zeisler and featuring Michael O'Shea (actor), Turhan Bey, Evelyn Ankers and Virginia Lee.<>.</>

Plot

The film opens with a scene of FBI agent Richard Hendricks (Michael O'Shea (actor)) bedridden in a hospital bed, dictating the results of his investigation for a report to the California Governor. The dictation scenes are interrupted by long Flashback (narrative) scenes showing how the investigation proceeded.
After a number of paroles granted to dangerous career criminals, the California Governor and State Attorney General suspected corruption in the state parole board. They called upon Hendricks to investigate and expose those involved. Hendricks decided to go undercover as an ex-convict wanting to buy a parole for a criminal partner currently in jail. He then proceeded to infiltrate the social circle of another recent parolee of dubious character, Harry Palmer, and ask him how to purchase a parole. However, the people operating the parole purchase ring were quite secretive and ready to take extreme measures to prevent their exposure.

Cast

Michael O'Shea (actor) 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 (actor) 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

Reception

=Critical response=

Film critic Dennis Schwartz panned the film, writing, "Alfred Zeisler (Fear) directs this uninteresting undercover police drama ... The story for this low-budget B-film from Eagle Lion studios is just about as far-fetched and ludicrous as the acting. It also lacked suspense, any surprises and the production values were shoddy. The only good thing is that it moves along at a fast clip and is over in a flash."

Category:1948 films
Category:1940s crime films
Category:American crime films
Category:American films
Category:Black-and-white films
Category:Eagle-Lion Films films
Category:English-language films
Category:Films directed by Alfred Zeisler

Constantin J. David