05/11/1980
Filmed on location at Alcatraz Island, this two-part "whole story" actually concentrates on a handful of the denizens behind the cold grey walls of "The Rock". Michael Beck plays the real-life Clarence Carnes, an Oklahoma Choctaw Indian said to be the youngest man ever incarcerated in the notorious maximum security prison. Serving a 99-year sentence for a gas station holdup and murder, Carnes makes periodic attempts to escape, the final attempt being the most violent. Many of the subordinate characters are fictional (as are most of the details concerning Carnes' escape efforts); the one exception is Robert Stroud, the "Birdman of Alcatraz", here portrayed by Art Carney as a gentle, kindly philosopher. Telly Savalas, a costar of the Burt Lancaster vehicle Birdman of Alcatraz, also guest starred in the 1980 film. Originally titled Alcatraz and Clarence Carnes, this made-for-TV movie wavers between gritty realism and "I'm bustin' outta here!" artifice.
Michael Beck
as Clarence Carnes
Art Carney
as Robert Stroud
Alex Karras
as Jughead Miller
Telly Savalas
as Cretzer
Will Sampson
as Clarence's Father
Ronny Cox
as Bernard Coy
Richard Lynch
as Sam Shockley
Robert Davi
as Hubbard
John Amos
as Bumpy Johnson
James MacArthur
as Walt Stomer
Ed Lauter
as Frank Morris
Joe Pantoliano
as Ray Neal
Louis Giambalvo
as Clarence Anglin
Jeffrey Tambor
as Dankworth
Paul Mantee
as Ordway
Charles Aidman
as Warden Johnson
Jack Rader
as Weinhold
Walter Mathews
as Corwin
Spencer Milligan
as Fred Haskell
Sidney Clute
as Miller
Redmond Gleeson
as Jackson
Bradford English
as Thompkins
Antony Ponzini
as John Anglin
Paul Picerni
as Lt. Lagason
Burt Marshall
as Guard
Lois Red Elk
as Clarence's Mother
Arthur Taxier
as Connelly
David Doyle
as Guard
G.W. Bailey
as Holfeld
Sandy Ward
as McIntire
Stack Pierce
as Presser
Tom Lupo
as Dunslay
Roger Hackett
as Male Nurse
Ken Letner
as Armory Lieutenant
Tom O'Neill
as Guard
Al Cingolani
as Carroll
Robert F. Hoy
as Myron Thompson
Peter Coyote
as Courtney Taylor
John Waggoner
as Alphie
Wiley Marker
as Judge Goodman
John Chappell
as Sheriff's Deputy
Peter Jason
as Lt. Micklin
Hoke Howell
as Store Owner
Jocko Marcellino
as Prisoner
Roger Hampton
as Hampton
James Harrison
as Dumpy
Jim Steck
as Guard Crayden
Pat Valentino
as Colman
W.T. Zacha
as Baggett
David De Lange
as Lt. Stenfield
Francis X. McCarthy
as Lt. Holmby
James Jeter
as Guard Fairgate
Angelo Grisanti
as Convict
Jim Haynie
as Salkin
Nick Eldredge
as Larwin
Johnny Weissmuller Jr.
as Felish
Robert Elross
as Vernon
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