Appearance
I Want to Live!
Directed by Robert Wise, I Want to Live! (1958) is a hard-hitting biographical film noir that earned Susan Hayward an Academy Award for Best Actress. The film tells the grim, true story of Barbara Graham, a woman with a troubled past who is convicted of murder and sentenced to death in the gas chamber at San Quentin. The movie notably takes a critical stance on the death penalty, depicting Graham's legal battles and her final days with unflinching realism.
The film is highly regarded for its jazz-inflected score by Johnny Mandel and its gritty, documentary-style cinematography that captures the dark underbelly of 1950s California.
Locations
The production was filmed across various California locations, utilizing real judicial and penal facilities to heighten the film's authenticity.
San Quentin State Prison, California
In a quest for absolute realism, Robert Wise filmed several key sequences at the actual San Quentin State Prison. While the execution chamber seen in the film was a meticulously reconstructed set based on the real one, the exterior shots of the prison and the surrounding grounds provided a chilling, authentic atmosphere for Graham's final journey. Map Location
Los Angeles County Hall of Justice
The trial scenes, which form the emotional and narrative core of the film's second act, were filmed at the Los Angeles County Hall of Justice. The imposing architecture of the courtroom served to emphasize the weight of the legal system bearing down on Graham. Map Location
Corona, California
The scenes depicting the "California Institution for Women" were filmed on location in Corona. This facility was where the real Barbara Graham was held during her appeals process. Using the actual locations where Graham spent her time added a layer of historical weight to Hayward's performance. Map Location
San Francisco, California
Several exterior sequences were shot in San Francisco, capturing the foggy, moody streets of the city to reflect the film's noir sensibilities. The production utilized the city's natural geography to mirror the character's sense of isolation and impending doom. Map Location
Santa Monica, California
The early scenes showing Graham's life before her arrest, including her time in jazz clubs and bars, were filmed in and around Santa Monica. These locations were chosen to represent the vibrant but dangerous nightlife that Graham inhabited. Map Location
Director
Robert Wise
Cast
Susan Hayward
Simon Oakland
Virginia Vincent
Theodore Bikel
Wesley Lau
IMDB
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