Synanon (1965)

A junkie (Alex Cord) enters a rehabilitation center for drug addicts run by an ex-alcoholic (Edmond O'Brien). But he proves to be a disruptive influence, particularly in the case of two other recovering addicts: a woman (Stella Stevens) in a custody battle with her husband (Larry Kert, Broadway's WEST SIDE STORY) over her child and an ex-con (Chuck Connors) he knew in prison. Based on Chuck Dederich's (played in the film by O'Brien) Synanon rehab established in 1958 in California whose unorthodox methods were successful in getting addicts off the street and re-entering society. Unfortunately, the film too often plays as a well intentioned cinematic lecture of the Stanley Kramer variety. O'Brien, Richard Conte and Eartha Kitt fare the worst as their dialogue consists of psychological orations. Dederich's methods seem somewhat dubious today and indeed, the organization fell apart in the late 70s with legal troubles and accusations of being a dangerous cult. Directed by Richard Quine. With Barbara Luna, Alejandro Rey, Bernie Hamilton and Richard Evans (very good as a gay junkie).