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Caged |
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(1950,
USA)
Director:
Cromwell, John
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From the Cinema News and Property Gazette, 1950: "Harrowing account of experiences of first-offender in women's prison. Powerful overall indictment of conditions that may possibly exist in American institutions, the picture dwells incessantly on varied types that people this sordid scene: crime-soaked females cut off from common decencies; sadistic matron open to bribes; kindly prison superintendent struggling for sweeping reforms; elderly vice-queen who organizes paroles. Gripping narration almost overpowering in realism of terrible conditions and slow decline of inmates' decent feelings. Superb line-up of sensitive portrayals, backed by sympathetic direction that never strikes a jarring note. Excellent production quality. First-rate dramatic entertainment that deserves wide exhibition, though hardly recommended for squeamish tastes." With Eleanor Parker, Hope Emerson, Jan Sterling, Agnes Moorehead.Caged is pure '50s Hollywood. It features a sadistic matron with unstated lesbian feelings--a clear creation of male attitude, simultaneously humiliating and lusting after her charges. The inmates have the look and demeanor of maturing starlets instead of hardened criminals, and it's sanitized of any substantial lesbian content, while including titillating shower room scenes. But Caged offers the best aspects of Hollywood vehicles. It's well cast: Agnes Moorehead plays the warden, Eleanor Parker is pretty convincing, and Hope Emerson received an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of the sadistic guard. In addition, this black-and-white feature is wonderfully, noirishly lit.
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