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!

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.

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.

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.