Fifty years ago today, on June 11, 1962, Frank Morris, John Anglin and Clarence Anglin carried out what may have been the only successful escape from Alcatraz ever devised.
The official report on the escape says the prisoners drowned while trying to reach the mainland in the cold waters of the bay. However, the attempt was the subject of the 1979 film Escape from Alcatraz, starring Clint Eastwood as Frank Morris, Jack Thibeau as Clarence Anglin, and Fred Ward as John Anglin. The film implied that the three made it.
The investigation into the escape from "The Rock" has not closed.
Some cartoon references to Alcatraz:
Bars And Stripes Forever(Merrie Melodies; Warner Bros., 1939)
Shenanigans in (and out of!) prison. The prisoners are all dogs, and they resort to all means possible to attempt a prison breakout. When the dogs in prison make a break for it, the canine cops are on their heels. The prisoners are really in the doghouse with the warden when they attempt to escape from "Alcarazz," where "stone walls do not a prison make... but they sure help!"
I Left My Neck In San Francisco(Scooby and Scrappy-Doo; Hanna-Barbera Studios, 1979)
The gang goes to San Francisco, where they encounter "The Lady Vampire of the Bay" on Alcatraz Island. The vampiress strongly resembles Daphne, who sits out most of the investigation with a cold, but is nowhere to be found when the vampiress turns up. Scooby, Scrappy and Shaggy think that Daphne is a vampire.
Surprised Spies(Scooby and Scrappy-Doo; Hanna-Barbera Studios, 1981)
Shaggy Rogers, Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo try to keep an enemy spy from stealing an important secret package in Alcatraz.
The Birdbrain Of Alcatraz(Beetlejuice; Nelvana Limited, 1991)
Scuzzo frames Beetlejuice for stealing bad jokes, and gets him sent to The Big House. It's up to Lydia to gather up the evidence she needs to spring Beetlejuice-and then to get the Governor to listen to her story.
Alcatraz-Mataz(The Lion King's Timon and Pumbaa; Walt Disney Television Animation, 1996)
Timon and Pumbaa try to break out of prison and catch Toucan Dan, who's framed them for stealing a train car of beak polish.
The Bird-Mummy Of Alcatraz(Mummies Alive!; DiC Entertainment, 1997)
Presley and the Mummies go on a tour of Alcatraz. Armon takes a side trip to the dining hall and the Mummies and Presley lose the group. Scarab uses Shabti to make the tour guide believe everyone is back on the tour boat, and the boat leaves. Ja-Kal becomes separated from the others and Scarab locks him in a prison cell. Scarab brings forth the prison spirits to go after Rapses for him. Escaping the spirits, the other Mummies see Ja-Kal in the cell and bust him out. A giant firebird -- the evil spirit of the island -- then goes after them.
The Birdboy Of Alcatraz(Pelswick; Nelvana Limited, 2001)
Pelswick is deemed terminally uncool when he takes up birdwatching to impress Julie.
The San Franpsycho(What's New, Scooby-Doo?; Warner Bros. Animation, 2004)
While attending the Grind Games, the gang runs into the ghost of an Alcatraz prisoner who's targeting members of the competition.
Bart-Mangled Banner(The Simpsons; Gracie Films, 2004)
After the Simpsons get ostracized due to a misunderstanding, they get arrested and locked up in Alcatraz, along with people like Michael Moore and Bill Clinton.
Tour D'Alcatraz(The Mighty B!; Nicktoons Productions, 2009)
Bessie takes Happy on a tour of Alcatraz, hoping that it will scare him into not sneaking off.
The Fairly OddParents features a prison in Fairy World called Abracatraz, based on Alcatraz.
The island location of the Duel Tower in the anime Yu-Gi-Oh! was inspired by Alcatraz Island, and was called "Alcatraz" in the Japanese-language version.[
"Having a wonderful time. Wish you were here." -- Joke message on innumerable postcards bearing old photos of Alcatraz.