Jail House Blues (1942)

Convict Sonny McGann (Nat Pendleton) becomes so involved with his duties as the producer of an upcoming prison show (all convict cast) that he balks at being paroled, and unwillingly becomes a free man. But he returns in time, after breaking his pardon and capturing an escaped convict who he had penciled in as the show's leading lady. He also manages to find a tenor, Cliff Bailey (Robert Paige), on the outside, whose performance during the show lands him a Broadway contract.