 Strother Martin , known for his appearances in westerns , was cast as the Captain , a prison warden who is depicted as a cruel and insensitive leader , severely punishing Luke for his escapes . The role of Luke 's dying mother , <unk> , who visits him in prison , was passed to Jo Van Fleet after it was rejected by Bette Davis . Morgan Woodward was cast as Boss Godfrey , a laconic , cruel and remorseless prison officer who Woodward described as a " walking Mephistopheles . " He was dubbed " the man with no eyes " by the inmates for his mirrored sunglasses . The blonde Joy Harmon was cast for the scene where she teases the prisoners in washing her car after her manager , Leon Lance , contacted the producers . She auditioned in front of Rosenberg and Newman wearing a bikini , without speaking . 
