Hellgate (1952)

Sterling Hayden is Gil Hanley, a veterinarian scorned by most of his Kansas neighbors because he fought for the South during the Civil War.

When a man with broken ribs shows up at his home one night, he bandages him, no questions asked.

What he doesn’t know is that he just cared for the notorious guerilla outlaw Vern Brechene.

When the authorities find out, he’s arrested and asked to divulge information about the guerilla’s hideout. When he insists he never met Brechene before, he’s convicted and sent to Hellgate, a prison in the New Mexico desert from which escape in virtually impossible.

The commandant, Lt. Voorhees (Ward Bond), has a special hate for guerillas; they burned down a home with his wife and daughter inside during the Civil War.

So while Hanley’s wife (Joan Leslie as Ellen) works to free him through legal channels, Hanley struggles with the decision of whether to participate in a daring breakout with his cellmates, including George Redfield (James Arness).

Sterling Hayden as Gil Hanley, an innocent man condemned to prison in Hellgate (1952)

James Arness as George Redfield, planning an escape from prison in Hellgate (1952)

Review:

The film probably would have benefitted from anyone else in the lead role. It’s just tough to drum up sympathy for an actor as wooden as Hayden.

And Hellgate might be surrounded by mountains and desert, but the security inside is pretty lax. Inmates pick locks with ease and gates are left open just about any time Hanley wants to run through one.

Bond turns in a solid performance as the commandant who won’t even let Hanley see the letters from his wife and who’s eager to torture him should the opportunity arise. Robert J. Wilke plays a sergeant nearly as sadistic as his commander. Leslie’s role is a minor one; she disappears for most of the film.

Hanley’s other cellmates include Jumper Hall, Gundy Boyd, Dan Mott (who knows his way across the desert), George Nye and an Indian known as Hunchy. Speaking of cell mates, this marked an early major role for James Arness, still three years removed from his long run as Marshal Matt Dillon.

Ward Bond as Lt. Tod Voorhees, commander at Hellgate Prison in Hellgate (1952)

Joan Leslie as Ellen Hanley, wondering if husband Gil wants to stay in an area where he won’t be forgiven for fighting for the South in Hellgate (1952)

Directed by:
Charles Marquis Warren

Cast:
Sterling Hayden … Gil Hanley
Joan Leslie … Ellen Hanley
Ward Bond … Lt. Tod Voorhees
James Arness … George Redfield
Peter Coe … Jumper Hall
John Pickard … Gundy Boyd
James Anderson … Vern Brechene
Robert J. Wilke … Sgt. Maj. Kearn
Richard Emory … Dan Mott
Dick Paxton … George Nye
William Hamel … Lt. Col. Woods
Marshall Bradford … Dr. Pelham
Sheb Wooley … Neill Price
Rory Mallinson … Banta
Pat Coleman … Hunchy

Runtime: 87 min.

Peter Coe as Jumper Hall, one of Hanley’s cellmates in Hellgate (1952)

Richard Emory as Dan Mott, a sickly inmate sharing a cell with Hanley in Hellgate (1952)

Memorable lines:

Lt. Voorhees to Gil Hanley: “Now why wouldn’t they shoot a mad dog like you?”

Lt. Voorhees: “It’s like this, Mr. Hanley. In your group, there’s a deserter, a mutineer, a thief and a murderer. But you’re the only one that has guerilla on his record. Guerillas burn down homes with women and children in them. You’ll find I have a special regard for guerillas.”

Gil Hanley: “Your barricade and your rifles won’t stop the fever from reaching you. Somehow it’s going to creep over or under those walls out there. There’s only one you can stop the fever from reaching you: Kill it where it is — at the prison.”

Sterling Hayden as Gil Hanley treating outlaw Vern Brechene (James Anderson) in Hellgate (1952)

Sterling Hayden as Gil Hanley, a veterinarian awaiting the birth of a colt with wife Ellen (Joan Leslie) in Hellgate (1952)

Robert J. Wilke as Sgt. Maj. Kearn, Voorhees’ second in command at the prison in Hellgate (1952)

John Pickard as Gundy Boyd, being beaten by one of Sgt. Maj. Kearn’s men in Hellgate (1952)

Dick Paxton as George Nye, a former artilleryman haunted by the din of battle in Hellgate (1952)

Sterling Hayden as Gil Hanley, leading with his wife for help proving his innocence in Hellgate (1952)