Convicts 4 (1962)

Ben Gazzara portrays a convicted killer who, when he receives a reprieve from a date with the electric chair, goes on to find redemption in prison. Based on a true story.

Wino (Sammy Davis, Jr.) wants protection money. Iggy (Ray Walston) is a walking timebomb. Nick (Timothy Carey) can fix you up. And John Resko (Ben Gazzara), given a last-minute reprieve from the chair, wants out.

So he tries to go over the walls of Dannemore Prison and is caught. Tries to tunnel below and is caught again.

In the end he simply walks out a free man, thanks in part to the rehabilitation that came when his artistic talent was discovered and developed.

The real-life Resko's novel is the source for this social-conscience film that features no shortage of acting talents - including Rod Steiger, Broderick Crawford and, as the critic who discovers Resko, Vincent Price, renowned offscreen as an art expert.