Prison Farm (1938)
Directed by Louis King and released by Paramount Pictures, Prison Farm is a fast-paced crime drama that blends romance, moral conflict, and social commentary. With a runtime of just over an hour, it packs a surprising amount of plot and emotional tension into its compact frame. The film stars Shirley Ross, Lloyd Nolan, and John Howard, and is notable for being William Holden’s first film appearance.
Plot Summary
Larry Harrison (Lloyd Nolan) is a smooth-talking con man who wants to give his girlfriend Jean Forest (Shirley Ross) the finer things in life—without working for them. When he punches a corrupt cop who’s harassing Jean, both he and Jean are sentenced to six months at a county prison farm.
Inside, Jean meets Dr. Roi Conrad (John Howard), the compassionate prison doctor, and begins to question her loyalty to Larry. As tensions rise and loyalties shift, Jean must choose between her past and a possible future built on integrity and love.
Cast Highlights
- Shirley Ross as Jean Forest
- Lloyd Nolan as Larry Harrison
- John Howard as Dr. Roi Conrad
- J. Carrol Naish as Noel Haskins
- Porter Hall, Esther Dale, Marjorie Main, and Anna Q. Nilsson in supporting roles
- Virginia Dabney as Maisie — she would later marry Lloyd Nolan in the 1980s
Behind-the-Scenes Trivia
- This was William Holden’s screen debut, though he appears in an uncredited role
- The film was one of over 700 Paramount productions sold to MCA/Universal in 1958 for television distribution
- Its earliest documented TV broadcast was in Boston on October 17, 1958, on WBZ Channel 4
- Director Louis King was known for his brisk, efficient style and directed many B-pictures, including Westerns and crime dramas
