Born in Brooklyn in 1934, Bob Maroff made his mark on the stage before transitioning to film. He is best remembered for his role as Mr. Nett, the sadistic prison guard, in Short Eyes (1977), a powerful exploration of life behind bars. Maroff's performance captures the raw intensity of the original Broadway production, reflecting his deep roots in theater. His ability to embody complex characters left a lasting impression on audiences, contributing to the film's critical acclaim.
Short Eyes
In an unnamed prison in New York City, whose inmates are predominantly black or Puerto Rican. One day, Clark Davis, a young, middle-class white man accused of raping a young girl, arrives on remand. His fellow prisoners immediately turn on him—child rapists are considered the lowest form of prison life—except for Juan, one of the institution's older prisoners, who treats him with dignity. Davis insists he doesn't remember raping the girl, but he admits to Juan that he has molested several other children. The prosecution's case against Davis is weak and, unless Juan tells prison authorities about Davis' confessions to him, it is only a matter of time before he is set free. As Juan struggles with what to do, the other prisoners plan to get rid of Davis permanently.
