Paris Pitman, Jr. (Kirk Douglas) is the sole survivor of a homestead robbery and hides the loot in a snake pit. He is caught in a bordello and sentenced to 10 years in territorial prison. He makes friends and enemies. Corrupt warden LeGoff offers him a deal for a split of the loot but is killed in a prison riot. Lawman Woodward W. Lopeman (Henry Fonda) arrives to improve the prison as the new warden and he laughs off Pitman's offer.This movie takes its time to get going mostly because Fonda doesn't arrive at the prison until much later. Instead, Paris is playing the long game and shows his cards only after awhile. This needs to be a mano a mano movie with Douglas facing off against Fonda. It would be better to have Fonda arriving sooner and one of the guards being the corrupt one with the offer. It is still great to have these men face off but it is not a classic.

Released in 1970, "There was a Crooked Man" stars Kirk Douglas as a charismatic, but ruthless criminal in the Old West sent to a remote Arizona prison. He develops a relationship with the new progressive warden, a former lawman (Henry Fonda), while corralling his cellmates for an escape attempt with the promise of sharing his hidden loot. The other prisoners include Warren Oates, Burgess Meredith and Michael Blodgett; Alan Hale Jr. plays a guard.I finally got around to watching this fairly well-known Western. Even though I'm a fan of Douglas, I waited so long because I knew it was a comedic Western and that the story revolved around a prison, which didn't make it promising. The good news is that it was better than I thought it would be. While there's some comedy it's not an all-out comedy, like "Blazing Saddles." There's just enough seriousness in the tone to take it seriously despite the (black) humor. Plus there are some interesting gems to mine here and there. Moreover Fonda's character is interesting in that he extends compassion toward the criminals. But, mostly, it's the all-star cast and their interrelations that entertain, not to mention you can't fault the film for being unoriginal.Despite being a prison picture, there are a few women to enjoy, like Lee Grant and Barbara Rhoades, amongst others.Some criticize the movie on the grounds that the protagonists are criminal scumbags, but (***SPOILER ALERT***) the ending shows those who insist on fleeing justice and spitting on the new warden's kindness getting their comeuppance while those who don't live. (***END SPOILER***) The film runs 126 minutes and was shot in La Joya, New Mexico, Joshua Tree, California, and Warner Brothers Burbank Studios, California.GRADE: B-

The direction for this film owes it's life to Joseph L. Mankiewicz who guides this clever Western movie to it's eventual and Classic end. It's a great story dealing with the weakness in every man. " There was a Crooked Man " also deals with Life's opportunity for good and evil. The story centers it's sights on Paris Pitman (Kirk Douglas), Jr. a thieving conniving, unscrupulous con and sneaky gunman who is fortunately sent to a territorial prison where he collects a motley group of Convicts whom he persuade to join him in a grand escape. While at the prison, he is watched by Woodward W. Lopeman (Henry Fonda) the new prison warden who suspects that Pitman is much too clever to remain behind bars without attempting to escape. The movie is well directed and the prison convicts are notable actors which are a who's-who of talented Thespians who are easily recognizable. They include Hume Cronyn, Warren Oates, Burgess Meredith, John Randolph, Arthur O'Connell, Martin Gabel, Alan Hale Jr. and Victor French. Together they create a story which is interesting and well worth the title of Classic. Easily enjoyed and hardily recommended. ****

"There Was A Crooked Man" is no masterpiece for sure. It is however, somewhat of a curiosity. Coming after the "gold standard" spaghetti westerns, this seems outdated right from the "git-go". The sophomoric script is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too repetitive and long. A fine cast wrestles at length with a story that is neither compelling or complex. Henry Fonda is subdued, even for him, and Kirk Douglas and his Cheshire cat grin becomes tiresome. The entire movie has a claustrophobic feel to it, because of the redundant prison locations. In short, "There Was A Crooked Man" is certainly a curious film, but ultimately forgettable. - MERK