• Short Summary

    Caryl Chessman is finally executed after prison failed to get the latest stay of execution in time.

  • Description

    Item title reads - Chessman - the end.

    Caryl Chessman is executed 12 years after sentencing for sex crimes, kidnapping and robbery when a secretary misdialled the number and failed to deliver the latest stay of execution in time. California, America (USA).

    L/S exterior of San Quentin prison. M/S guard's tower. M/S guard patrolling wall of prison. Various shots of prison buildings, a guard in the middle of the picture is standing in front of building known as condemned row.

    Interior M/S prisoner Caryl Chessman being interviewed by pressmen at a conference. Various shots of Chessman being interviewed. C/U of him smoking. Various shots of him, camera pans across journalists. Exterior of the main prison buildings. L/S buildings showing the gas chamber at the far end of an alley next to condemned row. M/S interior Chessman giving one of his last interviews to Ralph Champion of the 'Daily Mirror' one to one. Various shots of the interview. M/S as Chessman and Champion stand up and shake hands. C/U Chessman.

  • Tags

  • Data

    Film ID:
    1678.16
    Media URN:
    52588
    Group:
    Pathe newsreels
    Archive:
    British Pathé
    Issue Date:
    05/05/1960
    Sound:
    Sound
    HD Format:
    Available on request
    Stock:
    Black & White
    Duration:
    00:00:55:00
    Time in/Out:
    01:22:29:00 / 01:23:24:00
    Canister:
    60/37

Comments (2)

  1. Unknown user says

    Does anyone know why Chessman used English spellings (e.g., gaol, tyres, etc.) when writing Cell 2455 Death Row? How autobiographical is it really?

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  2. Unknown user says

    OK ... I see it was published in the UK. Perhaps the editor made the changes for his reading audience.

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