After his death sentence is commuted to life in prison, John Resko is transferred from Sing-Sing to Dannemora where, with the help of a humane prison guard, he becomes a rehabilitated man and a successful painter.

Ben Gazzara
as John Resko

Stuart Whitman
as Principal Keeper

Ray Walston
as Iggy

Vincent Price
as Carl Carmer

Rod Steiger
as Tiptoes

Broderick Crawford
as Warden

Dodie Stevens
as Resko's Sister

Jack Kruschen
as Resko's Father

Sammy Davis Jr.
as Wino

Naomi Stevens
as Resko's Mother