John Paget's Blog

Paget Films publishes Alcatraz ex-con biography

This summer, I acquired publishing rights to and reprinted (with a new cover design by Ryan Besch) the biography of ex-Alcatraz inmate #1076, John Dekker. 

If you're touring San Francisco, look for it in stores along the Wharf.  Or, you can purchase a signed copy from my online store ....OR if you're a Kindle reader, it's also available for Kindle through Amazon.

Dekker is one of the featured characters in my documentary film Alcatraz Reunion - in fact, he kind of stole the show with one witty comment after another.  BTW, he's the only Alcatraz inmate to be seen actually smirking in his official mug shot - so we had to use it on the book cover.

The convict that could not make it to the Alcatraz Reunion...

Today's San Francisco Examiner features the story of an ex-Alcatraz inmate just released from Leavenworth Prison on March 18th at age 78.  Judging from his Alcatraz inmate number (the numbers were assigned consecutively), he served time with many of the cons featured in my documentary, Alcatraz Reunion.

Click to read story: "Former Alcatraz convict now free at 78"

Are island prisons going out of style?

McNeil Island Prison, the Alcatraz of the Pacific Northwest and last remaining island prison, is closing.  It is the only prison left in North America that is accessible only by boat or air.

A Seattle Times article includes history, reflections and photo slide show. 

McNeil Island and Alcatraz shared several inmates...including Robert "Birdman" Stroud,  Alvin "Creepy" Karpis and Jerri Bremeyer (who appears in the documentary Alcatraz Reunion).  And it boasts a few other famous alumni, like Charles Manson. 

Alcatraz Reunion chronicles how Alcatraz went from federal prison to one of the most popular tourist attractions in America.  It is the second most visited tourist attraction in California, after Disneyland.  Eastern State Penitentiary is one of the most acclaimed tourist attractions in the Philadelphia area. I wonder if Washington State government has considered the tourism potential for McNeil?

Darwin Coon, ex-Alcatraz con, makes a final escape

Darwin Coon, ex-Alcatraz prisoner and a character in the documentary Alcatraz Reunion, has passed away.  San Francisco Chronicle reporter Carl Nolte (who also appears in the film) wrote the story:

Darwin Coon, Reformed Bank Robber, Dies

In the bonus features section of the Alcatraz Reunion DVD, Darwin explains how he and other prisoners on Alcatraz secretly brewed beer in fire extinguishers.

"Alcatraz Reunion" : Broadcast Premier on Oct. 30th, 2010

My feature documentary film "Alcatraz Reunion" gets its national TV debut on Saturday, October 30th at 8:00pm on The Documentary Channel.  Check their schedule for other broadcast dates:

Alcatraz Reunion on Documentary Channel

Meet the King of Crime

Here he is - the one guy who could have appeared in BOTH my documentaries (Almost Elvis and Alcatraz Reunion).

Read the full story here.

Alcatraz Reunion Screens in San Francisco Friday Night!

Award-winning documentary "Alcatraz Reunion" (directed by John Paget) screens at the San Francisco Frozen Film Festival on Friday night, July 10th, 6:25pm at the Big Roxie Theatre.

Advance tickets here.

Moviemaker mentions Alcatraz Reunion in a preview article on the festival. Check it out here.

Roxie Theatre Address:

Roxie Film Center
3117 16th Street
San Francisco, CA 94103

San Francisco Bay Guardian reviews "Alcatraz Reunion"

San Francisco Bay Guardian named "Alcatraz Reunion" among its weekly picks in its June 10th edition. (The award-winning documentary kicks off the San Francisco United Film Festival on opening night - Friday, 7:00pm, June 12th at the Roxie Theatre in downtown San Francisco).

Here's the full review:

Alcatraz Reunion

Travelers flock to Alcatraz, buying T-shirts emblazoned with one-liners like "Psycho Ward Outpatient" and "Alcatraz Swim Team." The island's mystique and reputation keeps them coming back. After all, George "Machine Gun" Kelly, Whitey Bulger, and Al Capone all called Alcatraz "home" at one time or another. In Alcatraz Reunion, as the prison's 70th anniversary approaches, award-winning filmmaker John Paget invites former alumni back to the fortress. Planning an unconventional reunion of epic proportions, he sets out on a cross-country road trip to track down ex-inmates and correctional officers, all while exploring the ins and outs of Alcatraz and its transformation from infamous state penitentiary to lauded tourist attraction. Just goes to show that one person's prison is another's paradise. (Laura Swanbeck)

7 p.m., $10

Roxie Cinema

3117 16th St., SF

(415) 863-1087

Alcatraz Reunion to kick off San Francisco film festival - Friday, June 12

JUST ANNOUNCED!

Alcatraz Reunion will kick off the opening night of the San Francisco United Film Festival.

Details:

ONE NIGHT ONLY:
Friday, June 12th 7:00pm
@
Roxie Theater
3117 16th Street
San Francisco, CA 94103

Alcatraz Reunion makes Official Selection to San Francisco United Film Fest

Alcatraz Reunion will have its San Francisco premiere! This week it was just named as official selection to San Francisco United Film Festival, June 12-18, 2009.  Screening date and time TBA. Stay tuned.