The film was based on the career of criminal Stanley Thurston, who appeared in the cast as a character based on himself. Thurston was famous for his numerous escapes from prison, 5 times in 15 years.[3] He was released from prison in October 1946.[4][5]
The film had trouble with the British censors who thought the film glamorised a real life criminal. Thurston had to be billed as "Charles Stuart."[6][7]
James Carreras said, "The picture already has official police approval. I
have done everything to show that crime is a mug's game. Thurston is the only non-professional actor in the film. All he asked was £10 a week to cover expenses. At the end of the film he turns to the audience and tells them that a criminal life just isn't worth the candle, especially when guns are brought into crime. He made such a good job of the picture that I had him listed for a racing story on his merits as an actor. That plan will now have to be shelved."[1]
^Jones, David (5 July 2000). "Hammer horror film star dies aged 87". Evening Mail. Birmingham. p. 30. ProQuest323321614.
^"Gaol-Breaker Makes Film". Sunday Times (Perth). No. 2569. Western Australia. 18 May 1947. p. 12 (SUPPLEMENT TO THE SUNDAY TIMES). Retrieved 4 March 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
