This is the story of convicted murderer David Marshall Williams who invented the M-1 carbine rifle that was used in WW11. This is James Stewart at his laid back, laconic best.However he injects a darker side to his role as a moonshiner,wrongly or rightly accused of killing a federal Marshall.His innocence or lack of it was neatly sidestepped as this is the story of his invention not of his crime. For modern films viewers the prison scenes may seem slightly twee and a bit too clean cut compared to modern prison classics such as The Shawshank Redemption and the Green Mile but some scenes really pack a punch they include a man being whipped and James Stewert in solitary confinement for differences with the prison warden. Jean Hagen does well in a supporting role as his wife who promises to wait for her husband till he completes his 30 year prison sentence. This film also has moments of great beauty the foremost being David M Williams being let out of jail for 24 hours to visit his wife.He is trying to get his wife to divorce him and she says, "without you I am only half a person,you are my other half".Priceless. This may not be considered by many to be a classic movie but it is certainly a very satisfying one that gives you a warm feeling inside at the end. Thank you TCM for showing another golden oldie.8/10
25 Reviews
wonderful, wonderful movie
rupie16 June 2003
"Graceful" is not a word one would use in the same sentence with "Jimmy Stewart." Gangly, awkward, and with a reedy, high-pitched voice, he seems to have none of the things that we think an actor should have, and yet he was truly one of the great ones. His presence in this true story of David Marshall Williams, designer of the M-1 rifle, lifts what is a fascinating human story to begin with by a quantum notch. Stewart's portrayal of the character transformation of this angry, troubled man is one of the finest things I have seen from him. Abetted by Wendell Corey in the essential role of his prison warden and an excellent script, this movie is truly an underrated gem. They just don't make 'em like Jimmy anymore.
A sullen smithing Stewart...
AlsExGal2 September 2023
... and definitely a change from the more affable fellows he had been playing.
Marsh Willliams (James Stewart) is a guy with a chip on his shoulder, running a still during Prohibition. He is doing this for economic reasons, and also, like most people, thought that the 18th amendment was ridiculous. When his still is surrounded by federal agents. Marsh, along with the others working the still, run but first return fire with the agents, and one agent is killed. Convinced by his wife (Jean Hagen) to surrender, his murder trial ends in a mistrial - it could not be determined who fired the fatal shot - and Williams decides to plead guilty to second degree murder rather than have his father sell some of his land to pay for a second trial. He is sentenced to thirty years hard labor and unsuccessfully tries to convince his wife to divorce him so she can remarry somebody who can be with her.
On one level the film is a pseudo biography of Williams in prison and how he develops a semi-automatic rifle using just the tools he has in the prison blacksmith shop, and how focusing on that task literally changes his personality for the better. On another level it is a scathing indictment of the prison system and its brutality as it existed in the US until the middle of the twentieth century.
Jean Hagen plays Marsh's devoted and loyal wife, and Wendell Corey is good as H. T. Peoples, the warden of the prison farm Williams lands at after spending time in some horrendous places such as the chain gain and the rock pile. Peoples wants to know what makes Williams tick, but Williams keeps testing his authority in front of the other prisoners, creating a dangerous situation for himself should he just let these incidents go. When Williams ends up lasting 30 days in "the hole" when no other prisoner could endure a week he wants to know why, and the answer is intriguing.
At its core, Carbine Williams is a story of resilience, innovation, and redemption. Carbine's determination to develop a safer and more efficient firearm mechanism while serving time in prison is both inspirational and a testament to the human spirit's capacity for growth and change. The film does an excellent job of highlighting the importance of second chances and the potential for individuals to make positive contributions to society, even after making grave mistakes.
Marsh Willliams (James Stewart) is a guy with a chip on his shoulder, running a still during Prohibition. He is doing this for economic reasons, and also, like most people, thought that the 18th amendment was ridiculous. When his still is surrounded by federal agents. Marsh, along with the others working the still, run but first return fire with the agents, and one agent is killed. Convinced by his wife (Jean Hagen) to surrender, his murder trial ends in a mistrial - it could not be determined who fired the fatal shot - and Williams decides to plead guilty to second degree murder rather than have his father sell some of his land to pay for a second trial. He is sentenced to thirty years hard labor and unsuccessfully tries to convince his wife to divorce him so she can remarry somebody who can be with her.
On one level the film is a pseudo biography of Williams in prison and how he develops a semi-automatic rifle using just the tools he has in the prison blacksmith shop, and how focusing on that task literally changes his personality for the better. On another level it is a scathing indictment of the prison system and its brutality as it existed in the US until the middle of the twentieth century.
Jean Hagen plays Marsh's devoted and loyal wife, and Wendell Corey is good as H. T. Peoples, the warden of the prison farm Williams lands at after spending time in some horrendous places such as the chain gain and the rock pile. Peoples wants to know what makes Williams tick, but Williams keeps testing his authority in front of the other prisoners, creating a dangerous situation for himself should he just let these incidents go. When Williams ends up lasting 30 days in "the hole" when no other prisoner could endure a week he wants to know why, and the answer is intriguing.
At its core, Carbine Williams is a story of resilience, innovation, and redemption. Carbine's determination to develop a safer and more efficient firearm mechanism while serving time in prison is both inspirational and a testament to the human spirit's capacity for growth and change. The film does an excellent job of highlighting the importance of second chances and the potential for individuals to make positive contributions to society, even after making grave mistakes.
Mr. Not-So-Nice Guy
k_jasmine_9920 November 2000
Jimmy Stewart plays real-life inventor Marsh "Carbine" Williams, a not-so-very-nice guy, really. Which is mostly the reason why Stewart wanted to take the part. Marsh Williams is convicted of murder although there was really never any proof. He is a bitter man, proud, trying to spare his family the heartache of seeing him in prison, but they stick by him anyway.
I enjoyed this movie; my favorite part probably being the friendship that slowly develops between inmate Williams and Captain Peoples ("Cap"). Watch for a good scene towards the end where Cap makes his friendship for Williams loud and clear - a true symbol of the trust he had in the alleged killer.
The story of the man, his family, and his friends, is the real story here. The fact that he invented a new kind of gun is a side-note. Interesting, though, the ability he had to build things with bare essentials and his own two hands.
Good movie. Not the typical "everyman" Stewart, but he does a great job in the part.
Jean Hagen (perhaps best known for her role as the ditzy silent-movie star opposite Gene Kelly in "Singin' in the Rain") plays Stewart's wife in the movie.
I enjoyed this movie; my favorite part probably being the friendship that slowly develops between inmate Williams and Captain Peoples ("Cap"). Watch for a good scene towards the end where Cap makes his friendship for Williams loud and clear - a true symbol of the trust he had in the alleged killer.
The story of the man, his family, and his friends, is the real story here. The fact that he invented a new kind of gun is a side-note. Interesting, though, the ability he had to build things with bare essentials and his own two hands.
Good movie. Not the typical "everyman" Stewart, but he does a great job in the part.
Jean Hagen (perhaps best known for her role as the ditzy silent-movie star opposite Gene Kelly in "Singin' in the Rain") plays Stewart's wife in the movie.
An innovator
jotix10017 May 2007
Warning: Spoilers
"Carbine Williams" is a seldom seen film. It offers a rare James Stewart in a role that was so opposite to the kind of characters he usually portrayed. The film which was based on a real individual, David Marshall Williams, gives us a glimpse about his life in rural North Carolina. The film, directed by Richard Thorpe, should be seen as a curiosity piece showcasing a great actor.
Marsh Williams' life was not a happy one. He had the misfortune of being at the wrong place, at the wrong time. Without being a criminal, he was condemned to jail. His time in prison was not exactly a happy one because everything conspired against him. Marsh had high values and evidently, he was ashamed of even corresponding with his family. It takes a wise man, Capt. Peoples, a warden from the facility where he was serving time, to see that Marsh had the potential for achieving greatness, as he proves at the end.
James Stewart plays a much younger man with conviction. Mr. Stewart was an actor that always delivered in spite of playing against type. In fact, his performance is more nuanced in this film. Jean Hagen, the good girl who marries Marsh, is also good. Wendell Corey has the more interesting role of the warden who sticks his neck out because he believes in a man, that by right, shouldn't be helped. Veteran actors Paul Stewart, Porter Hall, James Arness, Rhys Williams, Otto Hulett, and Leif Erickson are seen in supporting roles.
"Carbine Williams" is worth a try because of all the elements that went into the production of the film.
Marsh Williams' life was not a happy one. He had the misfortune of being at the wrong place, at the wrong time. Without being a criminal, he was condemned to jail. His time in prison was not exactly a happy one because everything conspired against him. Marsh had high values and evidently, he was ashamed of even corresponding with his family. It takes a wise man, Capt. Peoples, a warden from the facility where he was serving time, to see that Marsh had the potential for achieving greatness, as he proves at the end.
James Stewart plays a much younger man with conviction. Mr. Stewart was an actor that always delivered in spite of playing against type. In fact, his performance is more nuanced in this film. Jean Hagen, the good girl who marries Marsh, is also good. Wendell Corey has the more interesting role of the warden who sticks his neck out because he believes in a man, that by right, shouldn't be helped. Veteran actors Paul Stewart, Porter Hall, James Arness, Rhys Williams, Otto Hulett, and Leif Erickson are seen in supporting roles.
"Carbine Williams" is worth a try because of all the elements that went into the production of the film.
Jimmy to the rescue!
JohnHowardReid4 September 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Producer: Armand Deutsch. Copyright 14 April 1952 by Loew's Inc. A Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture. New York opening at the Capitol: 7 May 1952. U.S. release: May 1952. Australian release: 30 July 1952. 92 minutes. Cut to 8,073 feet in the U.K.
SYNOPSIS: A true story about David Marshall Williams who developed the carbine rifle while serving a thirty-year prison term in North Carolina. — Copyright summary.
COMMENT: Although it was none too successful on first release, "Carbine Williams" was formerly a frequent player on TV. It was one of the first of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer black-and-white library to be "colorized". But now, of course, following the public outcry against colorization, it is not broadcast at all.
For all this fuss, "Carbine Williams" offers no more than medium- range entertainment — except of course for dyed-in-the-wool Jimmy Stewart fans. The script offers little in the way of action but plenty of emotive moments for good old Jim. Indeed, patrons expecting the usual high-charged thrills of the typical prison picture, are going to feel rather short-changed.
Despite her star billing, Jean "Singin' in the Rain" Hagen has a paltry role. And whilst it's true we see a lot of Wendell Corey, it's a rather thankless part that offers the glum actor few opportunities to shine.
Thorpe's direction is competent enough, production credits are okay. The budget rates as just passable "A".
OTHER VIEWS: Stewart's most negligible film of the fifties — the only serious career mistake he made amid a stream of remarkably fine pictures — Carbine Williams doesn't fit Stewart's image or personality at all. — Allen Eyles in "James Stewart".
P.S. Your dead right, Allen, but would you believe Jimmy Stewart positively sought this role? Finally, he told Louis B. Mayer that he'd do it for half his usual fee. How could Mayer resist such an offer? If I was in Mayer's shoes, I would have done the same!
SYNOPSIS: A true story about David Marshall Williams who developed the carbine rifle while serving a thirty-year prison term in North Carolina. — Copyright summary.
COMMENT: Although it was none too successful on first release, "Carbine Williams" was formerly a frequent player on TV. It was one of the first of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer black-and-white library to be "colorized". But now, of course, following the public outcry against colorization, it is not broadcast at all.
For all this fuss, "Carbine Williams" offers no more than medium- range entertainment — except of course for dyed-in-the-wool Jimmy Stewart fans. The script offers little in the way of action but plenty of emotive moments for good old Jim. Indeed, patrons expecting the usual high-charged thrills of the typical prison picture, are going to feel rather short-changed.
Despite her star billing, Jean "Singin' in the Rain" Hagen has a paltry role. And whilst it's true we see a lot of Wendell Corey, it's a rather thankless part that offers the glum actor few opportunities to shine.
Thorpe's direction is competent enough, production credits are okay. The budget rates as just passable "A".
OTHER VIEWS: Stewart's most negligible film of the fifties — the only serious career mistake he made amid a stream of remarkably fine pictures — Carbine Williams doesn't fit Stewart's image or personality at all. — Allen Eyles in "James Stewart".
P.S. Your dead right, Allen, but would you believe Jimmy Stewart positively sought this role? Finally, he told Louis B. Mayer that he'd do it for half his usual fee. How could Mayer resist such an offer? If I was in Mayer's shoes, I would have done the same!
Interesting drama about the titled gun, starring James Stewart
jacobs-greenwood16 December 2016
Warning: Spoilers
44 year-old James Stewart plays a man in his early 20's through his mid-40's (and beyond?), something he was asked to do quite often throughout his career. His characterization is good, though he is clearly not youthful enough physically to play the title character in the first third of the film. Chameleon actress Jean Hagan, on the other hand, ages much more believably (perhaps because she was only 30 at the time;-)
In any case, the film is about a young man, "Marsh" Williams, who returns home after two "hitches" in the Navy to find that he must earn his eighth of the family farm by working it for two years, before his father (Carl Benton Reid) will give him the deed to it. That's what his other seven brothers, including the oldest (James Arness), are doing, or plan to do when they're old enough. Marsh isn't interested, though, because he's impatient to marry his childhood sweetheart Maggie (Hagan). So, he gets a job laying track for the railroad that pays him 40 cents an hour for a 10 hour day. However, wanting to have "more" sooner, he decides to join a couple of still makers (one of which is the recognizable character actor Porter Hall) and creates a growing business making moonshine, all without his wife's knowledge. When his operation is raided, a man is killed and Williams is sentenced to 30 years of hard labor (the good old days;-)
In prison, he becomes associated with "Dutch" Kruger (Paul Stewart) which leads to trouble when Kruger and some other inmates knife a squealer. Even though Williams didn't participate, he's caught with a knife in his possession and gets sent to work on the chain gang with the other perpetrators. After a while of this arduous work, and having to spend some time in the infirmary when his appendix burst, he and his "group" are transferred to another prison run by Warden Peoples (Wendell Corey). Peoples discovers Williams is a hard case with a strong will who won't even read his wife's, let alone write her or his family back, because he wants them to forget about him. But he gains some respect for him when Williams kills a rattlesnake that might have bitten the warden. However, when Williams shows disrespect to him before the rest of the inmates, Peoples decides that he'll break Williams' will by putting him in "the box". But the warden must release Williams after a record 30 days, no one else had ever lasted more than a week, at the prison doctor's insistence.
It turns out that Williams was able to withstand eating no more than bread & water while sitting in a dark crate for a month by thinking of a new way to design guns, ones which are lightweight and can fire multiple rounds before having to be reloaded.
The rest of this most interesting story is about how this man came to earn his name, which is the title of the film, while he was a prisoner that was allowed to make a gun!
In any case, the film is about a young man, "Marsh" Williams, who returns home after two "hitches" in the Navy to find that he must earn his eighth of the family farm by working it for two years, before his father (Carl Benton Reid) will give him the deed to it. That's what his other seven brothers, including the oldest (James Arness), are doing, or plan to do when they're old enough. Marsh isn't interested, though, because he's impatient to marry his childhood sweetheart Maggie (Hagan). So, he gets a job laying track for the railroad that pays him 40 cents an hour for a 10 hour day. However, wanting to have "more" sooner, he decides to join a couple of still makers (one of which is the recognizable character actor Porter Hall) and creates a growing business making moonshine, all without his wife's knowledge. When his operation is raided, a man is killed and Williams is sentenced to 30 years of hard labor (the good old days;-)
In prison, he becomes associated with "Dutch" Kruger (Paul Stewart) which leads to trouble when Kruger and some other inmates knife a squealer. Even though Williams didn't participate, he's caught with a knife in his possession and gets sent to work on the chain gang with the other perpetrators. After a while of this arduous work, and having to spend some time in the infirmary when his appendix burst, he and his "group" are transferred to another prison run by Warden Peoples (Wendell Corey). Peoples discovers Williams is a hard case with a strong will who won't even read his wife's, let alone write her or his family back, because he wants them to forget about him. But he gains some respect for him when Williams kills a rattlesnake that might have bitten the warden. However, when Williams shows disrespect to him before the rest of the inmates, Peoples decides that he'll break Williams' will by putting him in "the box". But the warden must release Williams after a record 30 days, no one else had ever lasted more than a week, at the prison doctor's insistence.
It turns out that Williams was able to withstand eating no more than bread & water while sitting in a dark crate for a month by thinking of a new way to design guns, ones which are lightweight and can fire multiple rounds before having to be reloaded.
The rest of this most interesting story is about how this man came to earn his name, which is the title of the film, while he was a prisoner that was allowed to make a gun!
Brilliant but forgotten performance
Mike Sh.6 August 2001
As an actor, James Stewart seems to have hit his stride in the fifteen years or so after the Second World War. Known up to this point as a gee-whiz, gulp-and-golly, boy-next-door Everyman type, Stewart took on roles of increasing complexity, most notably in the psychological "adult" westerns of Anthony Mann. Even his famous and much loved role as George Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life" contains a dark brooding undercurrent which belies its sunny reputation as a feel-good family Holiday film. All of which goes to show that Stewart could bring something unexpected to even the "corniest" movies.
In "Carbine Williams", Stewart plays the title role, a moonshiner who is convicted of murdering a Federal agent, and who then gets sent to a chain gang after being implicated in a prison murder. His rebellious nature brings him into conflict with the warden at the prison farm, Captain Peoples (Dracut MA's own Wendell Corey), until he discovers a means of channelling his anger and bitterness.
The real-life David Marshall Williams did indeed invent the improvements in firearms which led directly to the development to the M-1 carbine, the weapon which helped to win World War II. And he did it while serving a long prison sentence for murder. The story is interesting enough on its own, but Stewart brings an intensity and heart to the role which makes it even more fascinating than a mere telling of the facts would be.
One of many excellent films James Stewart made during the 1950's, this one is somewhat obscure, not particularly well-remembered today. But it deserves to be.
In "Carbine Williams", Stewart plays the title role, a moonshiner who is convicted of murdering a Federal agent, and who then gets sent to a chain gang after being implicated in a prison murder. His rebellious nature brings him into conflict with the warden at the prison farm, Captain Peoples (Dracut MA's own Wendell Corey), until he discovers a means of channelling his anger and bitterness.
The real-life David Marshall Williams did indeed invent the improvements in firearms which led directly to the development to the M-1 carbine, the weapon which helped to win World War II. And he did it while serving a long prison sentence for murder. The story is interesting enough on its own, but Stewart brings an intensity and heart to the role which makes it even more fascinating than a mere telling of the facts would be.
One of many excellent films James Stewart made during the 1950's, this one is somewhat obscure, not particularly well-remembered today. But it deserves to be.
Quite mediocre
JurijFedorov30 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Very basic movie. It's not great nor bad. It's quite fine. Marsh Williams is a bit lazy and prone to anger, but technically gifted. He runs a distillery during the Prohibition with some workers. He's good at it and makes quality alcohol. But the 18th Amendment makes it illegal. One day cops find the distillery in the woods and Williams shoots at them and commands his workers to do the same. He then runs away and plans to hide for a few weeks and return to his life. But a cop died so he's in trouble. In real life his workers were Black and all said he must have shot the cop, he seemingly did and it actually happened in a different way. The cops were taking the distillery and the group returned and started shooting at the cops to stop them. In the trial it appeared that another worker shot the cop more times and likely killed him. But a 12-men White jury found the Black man not guilty. For Williams it wasn't as simple, in real life he pleaded insanity. One jury member found him not guilty. In the movie we see how Williams agrees to plead guilty instead of taking a retrial and in return the death penalty was taken off the table. A judge sentenced him to 30 years. Initially he found himself in a big city prison. The kind with shanks and criminality. A shank is found on him after a prisoner got killed. And he is sent to live with other chained up trouble makers in the woods in wagons. Horrible conditions with prisoners who break the rules getting whipped. After that he's sent to a minimum security prison. A pretty relaxed place. Actually the first prison we see for some minutes, the second one for a bit longer, third one is the movie itself. The story is told by a prison warden to his son in the future to scare him straight as he also is prone to anger. The prison warden became his best friend. Initially he doesn't want to contact his family and wants his wife to divorce him. As he's still a troublemaker the prison warden throws him in the hole for 30 days. There he invents a new rifle. He later draws one in secret then makes one in secret. After he's found out the warden agrees to let him continue on it. Much later the upper management reads the story in the media and after talking to Williams let him test the rifle. He then gets job contacts and is released early because his dad spends a lot of money on lawyers with political contacts so he can get a pardon. We discover that his rifle system was used in WW2 in 8m rifles.
The movie is pretty basic. A lot of scenes are just showing us what happened when in his life like marriage or big family conflicts. It's plain. Some scenes could have used much more creativity or more focus on the technical details to at least show us how a distillery or a rifle works. It's never dull, it's just a by the book movie. Nothing out of the ordinary. They even removed most of the Black people who would have been in the very negative roles here. Didn't want to make them look bad, clearly showing that they tried to avoid most potent conflict and drama. Overall people are happy and kind here. The prison warden and cops are great. Not always kind, but overall very fair. This is nice. In most new prison movies the cops and warden are mostly evil and racist. Then you read the real story and find out that this or that prison officer was a great friend of this protagonist prisoner in real life and you feel the movie did them dirty. Real life people made into villains just because the movie needed conflict. This movie always feels real on the other hand. The prisons look real and you can feel the prison tension. But no one is over the top super evil. People do want the best for everyone. Most workers are this way in real life too. And many prisoners like this who just made 1 giant mistake can be overall good people. I do feel like they could have made a bigger case about the cop Williams shot. He did kill a man for just doing his job. It did leave a widow and surely a big family behind. Yet they skip this stuff and just make a few jokes in the trial. They didn't want to make Williams look bad in any way. So you do feel like the movie is pulling punches. It never really goes into much negativity and lacks some punch. That's a James Stewart movie for you. The guy can't act to save his life. Constantly looking like a comedic lanky fool with no negative bone in his body making him feel like a cartoon character. He's by far the worst actor in the movie. His dad and the prison warden stand out as the top performers, but it's not enough. The movie is worth checking out if you want to learn about the story or want to see how an old prison system worked. It's quite fine and a decent waste of time. But it really doesn't do anything new or clever. The best thing about it are the realistic sets and technology. Put it on your watch list for a boring day if you have some time to waste. Largely it could have been improved by showing us his later life developing rifles and then showing us small technical rifle details with slow developments. We only see his prison life here. The least productive part of his life.
The movie is pretty basic. A lot of scenes are just showing us what happened when in his life like marriage or big family conflicts. It's plain. Some scenes could have used much more creativity or more focus on the technical details to at least show us how a distillery or a rifle works. It's never dull, it's just a by the book movie. Nothing out of the ordinary. They even removed most of the Black people who would have been in the very negative roles here. Didn't want to make them look bad, clearly showing that they tried to avoid most potent conflict and drama. Overall people are happy and kind here. The prison warden and cops are great. Not always kind, but overall very fair. This is nice. In most new prison movies the cops and warden are mostly evil and racist. Then you read the real story and find out that this or that prison officer was a great friend of this protagonist prisoner in real life and you feel the movie did them dirty. Real life people made into villains just because the movie needed conflict. This movie always feels real on the other hand. The prisons look real and you can feel the prison tension. But no one is over the top super evil. People do want the best for everyone. Most workers are this way in real life too. And many prisoners like this who just made 1 giant mistake can be overall good people. I do feel like they could have made a bigger case about the cop Williams shot. He did kill a man for just doing his job. It did leave a widow and surely a big family behind. Yet they skip this stuff and just make a few jokes in the trial. They didn't want to make Williams look bad in any way. So you do feel like the movie is pulling punches. It never really goes into much negativity and lacks some punch. That's a James Stewart movie for you. The guy can't act to save his life. Constantly looking like a comedic lanky fool with no negative bone in his body making him feel like a cartoon character. He's by far the worst actor in the movie. His dad and the prison warden stand out as the top performers, but it's not enough. The movie is worth checking out if you want to learn about the story or want to see how an old prison system worked. It's quite fine and a decent waste of time. But it really doesn't do anything new or clever. The best thing about it are the realistic sets and technology. Put it on your watch list for a boring day if you have some time to waste. Largely it could have been improved by showing us his later life developing rifles and then showing us small technical rifle details with slow developments. We only see his prison life here. The least productive part of his life.
One of Stewart's best roles, should be a classic
smokehill retrievers1 May 2004
As other reviewers mention, this is a very good portrayal of one of the most interesting and talented men to ever serve time for murder. Unlike "Birdman of Alcatraz," which portrayed one of the most revolting murderers in history as some sort of a saintly scientist, this film accurately describes Carbine Williams' transformation from a rebellious moonshiner (who may or may not have killed a Fed in self-defense) into an admirable and very valuable citizen.
Williams' brilliant innovations in weapons design made a significant contribution to the Allied victory in WW2. I carried an M-1 carbine (essentially his design) in the Army and still own several of them -- perhaps the best all-purpose firearm in history.
This movie isn't shown often and most people are unaware of it, but it deserves a wider audience.
Williams' brilliant innovations in weapons design made a significant contribution to the Allied victory in WW2. I carried an M-1 carbine (essentially his design) in the Army and still own several of them -- perhaps the best all-purpose firearm in history.
This movie isn't shown often and most people are unaware of it, but it deserves a wider audience.
James Stewart as a bad boy
HotToastyRag7 January 2022
Though the overall script is a tad weak - as you can totally imagine the magazine article upon which it was based - the opening sequence of Carbine Williams is riveting. James Stewart starts the film as an old man; he's called away from his work at Winchester headquarters to deal with a problem at home. His son, Bobby Hyatt, has gotten into a fight at school. Jimmy and his wife, Jean Hagen, decide that it's time he learned the truth; so Jimmy drives Bobby to a prison run by Wendell Corey. He introduces Wendell as his best friend and leaves them alone together in the warden's office. It was great parenting for Jimmy to allow his story to be told by a friend. If he told it himself, his son might not have believed it.
Wendell sits Bobby down and tells him that his father spent years in prison for murder before he was born. Then the movie goes back in time and the story starts - riveting, isn't it? You know what else is riveting: James Stewart as a bad guy. Until recently, I'd always thought James Stewart played exclusively goody-goodies like George Bailey. But you can find lots of movies where he plays someone incredibly unlikable - sometimes a downright jerk. In this movie, he runs an illegal bootleg still, then starts shooting at the police when they try to arrest him. Not very bright, and not very admirable. It's no wonder he winds up in jail. Once there, though, he portrays the original Cool Hand Luke and is bad and stubborn to the bone.
Jimmy gives a great performance, though, even when he's not someone you can root for. Before this movie, I couldn't picture him as convict on the chain gang. He's George Bailey, for goodness sake! But he's got quite the chip on his shoulder as this brand-new character, and his gruffness is quite startling. If it hadn't been such a contentious year at the Hot Toasty Rags for 1952, he would have scored a nomination. If you can't imagine seeing such a different side to James Stewart, check out this forgotten drama.
Wendell sits Bobby down and tells him that his father spent years in prison for murder before he was born. Then the movie goes back in time and the story starts - riveting, isn't it? You know what else is riveting: James Stewart as a bad guy. Until recently, I'd always thought James Stewart played exclusively goody-goodies like George Bailey. But you can find lots of movies where he plays someone incredibly unlikable - sometimes a downright jerk. In this movie, he runs an illegal bootleg still, then starts shooting at the police when they try to arrest him. Not very bright, and not very admirable. It's no wonder he winds up in jail. Once there, though, he portrays the original Cool Hand Luke and is bad and stubborn to the bone.
Jimmy gives a great performance, though, even when he's not someone you can root for. Before this movie, I couldn't picture him as convict on the chain gang. He's George Bailey, for goodness sake! But he's got quite the chip on his shoulder as this brand-new character, and his gruffness is quite startling. If it hadn't been such a contentious year at the Hot Toasty Rags for 1952, he would have scored a nomination. If you can't imagine seeing such a different side to James Stewart, check out this forgotten drama.
Redeemed By A Gun
bkoganbing19 November 2006
Ten years before Burt Lancaster came out with the acclaimed Birdman of Alcatraz, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer produced this neglected gem of a film starring a dark and brooding James Stewart as David Marshall Williams who invented the M-1 carbine rifle while in prison.
Before writing this review I took a look at the wikipedia article on Marsh Williams and found that MGM had stuck pretty close to telling the real story about Williams. For the farmer the Great Depression began after the Armistice was signed and the food they produced was no longer needed to feed troops. Many like Marsh Williams turned to making moonshine, not just as a way of distilling spirits for personal use, but for economic survival. That fact cannot be emphasized enough in telling the Carbine Williams story.
The federal men were seen as taking the bread out of the farmer's mouths in the North Carolina hills and other such places and the rural folk reacted accordingly. Williams was convicted of murdering a federal agent during a raid. He didn't get the death penalty because no one could tell who really fired the fatal shot, but as he was part of the group he shared responsibility. He got thirty years.
Williams was a skilled machinist and after he got over the bitterness of his incarceration with the help of a friendly warden he worked out the design of the weapon that later became the M-1 carbine rifle used by our armed forces in World War II.
James Stewart in developing his character as Marsh Williams borrowed a whole lot from some of the characters in his Anthony Mann westerns. This is not the 'aw shucks' Jimmy we all identify him with, but a very bitter man, as bitter even as George Bailey when he thinks the world's deserted him in It's A Wonderful Life.
Jean Hagen plays the Donna Reed like wife here who with a man incarcerated has a lot more troubles than Ms. Reed dealt with. The third major role is that of Wendell Corey's warden whose belief in Stewart is sustained.
Carbine Williams tread earlier along the same lines that Birdman of Alcatraz did. And in depicting the moonshining community, Carbine Williams shows folks that could have been the ancestors of the family Robert Mitchum was part of in Thunder Road. It's a good story about a man who found his soul and his work in the oddest of places.
Before writing this review I took a look at the wikipedia article on Marsh Williams and found that MGM had stuck pretty close to telling the real story about Williams. For the farmer the Great Depression began after the Armistice was signed and the food they produced was no longer needed to feed troops. Many like Marsh Williams turned to making moonshine, not just as a way of distilling spirits for personal use, but for economic survival. That fact cannot be emphasized enough in telling the Carbine Williams story.
The federal men were seen as taking the bread out of the farmer's mouths in the North Carolina hills and other such places and the rural folk reacted accordingly. Williams was convicted of murdering a federal agent during a raid. He didn't get the death penalty because no one could tell who really fired the fatal shot, but as he was part of the group he shared responsibility. He got thirty years.
Williams was a skilled machinist and after he got over the bitterness of his incarceration with the help of a friendly warden he worked out the design of the weapon that later became the M-1 carbine rifle used by our armed forces in World War II.
James Stewart in developing his character as Marsh Williams borrowed a whole lot from some of the characters in his Anthony Mann westerns. This is not the 'aw shucks' Jimmy we all identify him with, but a very bitter man, as bitter even as George Bailey when he thinks the world's deserted him in It's A Wonderful Life.
Jean Hagen plays the Donna Reed like wife here who with a man incarcerated has a lot more troubles than Ms. Reed dealt with. The third major role is that of Wendell Corey's warden whose belief in Stewart is sustained.
Carbine Williams tread earlier along the same lines that Birdman of Alcatraz did. And in depicting the moonshining community, Carbine Williams shows folks that could have been the ancestors of the family Robert Mitchum was part of in Thunder Road. It's a good story about a man who found his soul and his work in the oddest of places.
STEWARTS EVERYMAN BUILDS A GUN...!
masonfisk15 April 2024
A sort of biopic of the famed gun maker starring James Stewart from 1952. Williams was a war veteran who upon returning home couldn't wait to get married but when he comes collecting for his piece of land from his father, who demands he put in time before getting his, decides to give up his claim & make his way while working as a manual laborer but when he hears he can make more money servicing moonshine stills (he's something of a mechanical savant) he jumps at the chance becoming so successful he opens more stills along the way. This is the time of prohibition however so when the feds come w/rifles drawn, a gun fight erupts w/one of the agents getting killed. Williams is brought to trial for the death & ever the kind of man he is who accepts his fate, he takes the sentence willingly, spending the bulk of his time in forced labor (he gained an infraction for having a knife). During his down time he begins working on a rifle (w/parts scored from the prison's workshop) which will become his legacy, w/at first skeptical support from the warden which becomes full throated seeing the revolutionary design & possible applications, which gains him an early release. The film works as a profile of a man whose determination can stand against all comers but as a study of someone who is a tinkerer (the rifle's construction is more of an internal coping mechanism after he spends time in solitary) the film is lacking but Stewart, the consummate every man, can do no wrong so the film is worth a peek just for that. Also starring Wendell Corey as the tough but fair warden, James Arness as one of Williams' brothers & Paul Stewart (he played Kane's butler in Citizen Kane) as a thug always looking to break out of prison.
Not very engaging bio that would have been home in the 30's.
mark.waltz10 November 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Unfortunately, that was before much of this happened. James Stewart tries to toughen up his post-war reputation that required westerns and sports and military bio pics to give a new perspective on his all American image. He's a convicted murderer on a chain gang who eventually gains the support of warden Wendell Corey, becoming a trustee and investing a lighter rifle perfect for military use. Jean Hagen speaks in a regular voice after destroying "round tones" in "Singin' in the Rain", playing the wife who refuses to divorce him when he's convicted, and continues to write to him to keep his spirits up when he's at his all time low.
While this takes a decade to unfold, I didn't notice any aging in either Stewart or Hagen outside a whisp of white hair appearing. Stewart is a good actor, but there's never any doubt that he's acting. I also found the pacing slowly somber, and there's never any real element of surprise. A "John Nesbitt's Passing Parade" could have covered Williams' ordeal in 20 minutes.
While this takes a decade to unfold, I didn't notice any aging in either Stewart or Hagen outside a whisp of white hair appearing. Stewart is a good actor, but there's never any doubt that he's acting. I also found the pacing slowly somber, and there's never any real element of surprise. A "John Nesbitt's Passing Parade" could have covered Williams' ordeal in 20 minutes.
I saw this great movie eight times.
dahlslines23 October 2004
I joined the Navy in 1951. I saw Carbine Williams before I joined in Tacoma, Wa. I saw it in San Diego ,Ca. before I left for Korea Then it was shown aboard the carrier Kearsarge while in the Sea of Japan.I cant remember where I saw it the next few times but I remember I saw it a total of eight times and enjoyed it more each time I saw it. I was especially happy when Marsh was pardoned for his crime.They didn't know for sure if he shot the government man ,but since he was considered the best shot in the group he was blamed and convicted. It was just a movie with a lot of heart.I would watch it again if I could find a copy. If anyone knows where I can get a copy of this movie I would be very happy.
for Jimmy Stewart fans
SnoopyStyle1 July 2020
From a 1951 Reader's Digest article, Marsh Williams (James Stewart) works at the Winchester Repeating Arms Company in New Haven, Connecticut. His son David gets into a fight and Marsh brings him to prison warden Capt. H.T. Peoples to scare straight. Peoples recounts the story of Marsh's life from moonshining to incarceration where he handmakes a rifle which would be incorporated into the M1 Carbine.
It's a straight and narrow biopic. Jimmy Stewart delivers all the rooting interest from inner personal charms. Mostly, there isn't much drama in the way that this is told. It needs to heighten the danger when he's in the prison. In the end, this is a movie for Jimmy Stewart fans or maybe gun fans...
It's a straight and narrow biopic. Jimmy Stewart delivers all the rooting interest from inner personal charms. Mostly, there isn't much drama in the way that this is told. It needs to heighten the danger when he's in the prison. In the end, this is a movie for Jimmy Stewart fans or maybe gun fans...
Stewart in a Stubborn, Edgy Role
TheFearmakers19 March 2022
Famously likeable James Stewart did his share of dramatic roles, although most were of simple, everyday fellas, so in CARBINE WILLIAMS he gets to play a determined, insanely stubborn loser...
Although he starts out nice enough in a frame story about the titular gun-maker whose backstory begins with a perfect marriage contrasting a secret, very illegal and dangerous moonshine gig...
But CARBINE is mostly a hard-line prison flick, initially of the chain-gang nature, and Stewart does a pretty good job as a convict who refuses to give in, even to logic when there's a nice-enough warden (Wendell Corey) on the last stretch...
As Stewart remains an edgy, sullen wishbone between token rebel Paul Stewart, always planning an escape, while avoiding perfectly-patient wife Jean Hagen in a nifty biopic with a little more run-time than the usual time-filling programmer.
Although he starts out nice enough in a frame story about the titular gun-maker whose backstory begins with a perfect marriage contrasting a secret, very illegal and dangerous moonshine gig...
But CARBINE is mostly a hard-line prison flick, initially of the chain-gang nature, and Stewart does a pretty good job as a convict who refuses to give in, even to logic when there's a nice-enough warden (Wendell Corey) on the last stretch...
As Stewart remains an edgy, sullen wishbone between token rebel Paul Stewart, always planning an escape, while avoiding perfectly-patient wife Jean Hagen in a nifty biopic with a little more run-time than the usual time-filling programmer.
A must see movie for history buffs of guns
whatshisfacesoutpost8 January 2005
This movie is a great movie for those who are into guns. Weather it be gun collecting, or just history. This movie portrays the actual real life story of how the winchester carbine was brought about. It is correct in it's history, and very interesting. Jimmy Stewart does an excellent job of portraying the feelings of a prisoner who may be wrongly convicted. It was never determined who actually killed the agent. This man made a rifle to help the American fighting man of the armed forces. Lighter, faster and more reliable than anything up to it's time. This was done inside a prison, with nothing but a file. When it was found out what he was doing, the warden of the prison eventually stands behind him and helps him in his efforts. If you are not interested in guns it is still a informative movie with a great human interest story!
A gun sent him to prison and a gun freed him
utgard1410 July 2014
This is one of my favorite Jimmy Stewart movies and I feel it's also one of his most under-appreciated. It's a biopic of David Marshall Williams, the inventor of the M1 carbine rifle. Williams was a moonshiner who went to prison for killing a federal agent (a deputy sheriff in reality but changed to a fed here for some reason). While in prison, he works on a new kind of repeating rifle that would be the basis for the carbine invented later.
Stewart dominates the movie and his performance keeps you interested throughout. Jean Hagen and Wendell Corey offer fine support. This is a pretty straightforward and simple biographical movie. There are no bells and whistles. But there's something about it that always appealed to me. Jimmy Stewart fans will love it, I'm sure.
Stewart dominates the movie and his performance keeps you interested throughout. Jean Hagen and Wendell Corey offer fine support. This is a pretty straightforward and simple biographical movie. There are no bells and whistles. But there's something about it that always appealed to me. Jimmy Stewart fans will love it, I'm sure.
Stewart builds a gun
nickenchuggets11 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Carbine Williams is one of those movies that is just hard to comment on, mostly because it tells the story of a person's life but adds in things that might not have happened to them. This movie (starring James Stewart) is the backstory of one of the most successful weapons of the second world war: the M1 carbine. A carbine, in simple terms, is a shorter version of a rifle that may or may not use a smaller diameter bullet. The M1 was developed by the US military because the Colt 1911 pistols america was issuing at the time were difficult to aim correctly at ranges longer than about 100 feet. David Williams (or Carbine Williams as he is known) would set about developing a new weapon based around a new bullet, would have a stock, and be aimed like a rifle, making shooting easier. The carbine was basically intended to replace the 1911 because it was easier to aim, but it never truly did. Many servicemen liked the weapon for its higher ammo capacity over the pistol, and others hated it because it wasn't as accurate as a true rifle. Love it or hate it, the M1 carbine was one of the most important weapons in the american arsenal during world war 2, and it would make a big difference in the course of the war. The movie follows David Williams and how he eventually would become part of a group of men who were responsible for coming up with the carbine during the second world war. It's important to note that Williams did not invent the weapon all by himself, but was credited with inventing what is known as a short stroke piston, which is a device some guns have that utilizes gas generated near the breech to cycle the action and load the next round. In the film, Williams gets busted for making moonshine, and also killed a cop when he came to investigate what he was doing. Because of this, he gets imprisoned for 3 decades. One day, he gets transferred to a different prison, and the warden lets him put his knowledge to use in an area with tools. It is in this place where he invents the gas operating system for the M1. After being released in the late 20s, he works at Winchester and helps build the gun that will eventually be made in the millions. It's a good enough movie based on a person whose invention would save (and end) a lot of lives in the second world war.
A Must See Movie
ebiros21 January 2006
This is a great story about David Marshall Williams - an independent spirited man who rightfully or wrongfully gets accused of killing a law enforcement officer during a moonshine distillery raid and goes to prison. The twist is that he's not a career criminal but a strait forward man, and also an inventor who comes across wrong during the trial for speaking the event as he believes it, and gets the unfair blame for the death. Williams (Jimmy Stuart) is an honest man who says things as he believes it - which doesn't win him charm points with the prison warden, but has a principle he believes in. Some of his integrity shines through, and although seen as a trouble maker, he is entrusted to be in the machine shop of the prison. There he puts his mind to work and starts working on a new rifle design. During one altercation, he's thrown into solitary confinement where he uses the time to invent the new gas action loading mechanism for his rifle. By this time prison warden Capt. H.T. Peoples (Wendell Corey) is sympathetic with Williams and allows him to develop his idea. He even allows Williams to have time out of prison to spend with his wife. Marshall could have escaped during this time, but he returns to prison again showing his strait forward integrity. On the day Williams completes the design, to test fire the rifle, Capt. Peoples hands Williams the bullet - warden is giving his prisoner a bullet to fire a rifle ! The design works, and Williams applies for patent. Colt fire arms is interested in his design, and visits him in prison to license his design. The design becomes none other than the M1 rifle which became the staple fire arms during WW II for the U.S. military.
This is a great story told by great actors about a man who despite his odds achieved something no short of a miracle. It also tells a story about human heart, that there are good men who can be understanding, generous, and develop friendship despite situations they are placed under. James Stuart play the role of Carbine Williams character perfectly. An honest man of few words, but lives by a principle he believes in. He's an anti-hero of a sorts in this movie, but is my most favorite part he's ever played in a movie. Wendell Corey plays somewhat of a protective role to Williams who he understands is living life too honestly for his own good. Their muted but genuine friendship shines through in this film.
One of the few unknown classic of Hollywood. A marvelous movie to watch.
This is a great story told by great actors about a man who despite his odds achieved something no short of a miracle. It also tells a story about human heart, that there are good men who can be understanding, generous, and develop friendship despite situations they are placed under. James Stuart play the role of Carbine Williams character perfectly. An honest man of few words, but lives by a principle he believes in. He's an anti-hero of a sorts in this movie, but is my most favorite part he's ever played in a movie. Wendell Corey plays somewhat of a protective role to Williams who he understands is living life too honestly for his own good. Their muted but genuine friendship shines through in this film.
One of the few unknown classic of Hollywood. A marvelous movie to watch.
This movie has special meaning to me
lee51553 May 2009
I saw this movie when I was 15 and just saw it again tonight on TV. In the Army I used the M-1 Carbine, won a rapid fire competition with 7 our of 8 bulls eyes at 200 yards, and was given the Expert Marksman medal. I was so impressed with the Carbine I own one now with a 30 round clip.
James Stewart is one of my favorite movie stars and did a great job in this movie. Marsh Williams made a significant contributions to our war efforts and probably was responsible for helping to save thousands of American soldiers. He surely earned his forgiveness for the situation that put him in prison. This was a true American story and I am happy I got to see it again after 56 years.
James Stewart is one of my favorite movie stars and did a great job in this movie. Marsh Williams made a significant contributions to our war efforts and probably was responsible for helping to save thousands of American soldiers. He surely earned his forgiveness for the situation that put him in prison. This was a true American story and I am happy I got to see it again after 56 years.
Jimmy Stewart Never Lets You Down!
Gunn25 October 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Any film with Jimmy Stewart of Henry Fonda in it is a guaranteed very good film. "Carbine Williams" is no exception. When he takes on a role, you can't imagine anyone else doing a better job. Here he plays a man from a large country family in North Carolina who is very self-centered, but a decent fellow. After busting up rocks for a railroad for 40 cents an hour, he finds building boilers a better option. It turns out these boilers are used for illegal 'stills' and before long he is distilling whiskey. This leads to trouble and a prison sentence. It goes on from there. Stewart is terrific as is Wendell Corey and Jean Hagen as his loving wife. The true story is based on an article in Reader's Digest "Most Unforgettable Person" series. It is available from Warner Bros. Archive Collection on (barebones) DVD.
History of a Famous Gun Inventor !
whpratt128 December 2004
Some how I just seemed to have missed this great film of James Stewart and his great acting and a very entertaining film. James Stewart,(David Marshall,'Marsh',Williams),"Bell Book & Candle",'58, winds up in a prison camp with nice stripe uniforms and a very bad attitude towards writing home to his wife, and his prison warden, Wendell Corey,(Capt. H.T. Peoples),"The Big Knife",'55. Capt. Peoples tries to break Marsh down to his way of thinking and as a result, he starts making automatic weapons. Jean Hagen,(Maggie Williams),"The Big Knife",'55, gave an outstanding supporting role as the wife of Marsh. If you want to see a young Stewart and a very entertaining story, watch this great CLASSIC!
Unlike any other prison movie I have seen
ColonelPuntridge14 June 2020
Are there any other prison movies where the warden is a good-guy? He is, in this one.
Oh, I guess the warden is the good-guy in BRUBAKER, but he's also the main character. I meant: are there any other prisoner's-point-of-view prison movies where the warden is a good-guy?
Oh, I guess the warden is the good-guy in BRUBAKER, but he's also the main character. I meant: are there any other prisoner's-point-of-view prison movies where the warden is a good-guy?
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