Caged (1950)

User Rating:

7.9/10   

Director:

John Cromwell

Writers:

Virginia Kellogg (screenplay)
Virginia Kellogg (story)

Release Date:

19 May 1950 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Tagline:

Will she come out a woman or a wildcat?

Plot:

A naive nineteen year old widow becomes coarsened and cynical when she is sent to a woman's prison and is exposed to hardened criminals and sadistic guards.

Plot Keywords:

Prison | Sadistic | Pregnant | Shaved Head | Expectant Mother

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Eleanor Parker	...	Marie Allen
Agnes Moorehead	...	Ruth Benton
Ellen Corby	...	Emma Barber
Hope Emerson	...	Evelyn Harper
Betty Garde	...	Kitty Stark
Jan Sterling	...	Smoochie
Lee Patrick	...	Elvira Powell
Olive Deering	...	June
Jane Darwell	...	Isolation Matron
Gertrude Michael	...	Georgia Harrison
Sheila MacRae	...	Helen (as Sheila Stevens)

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

Finland:K-16 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | Australia:M

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

Eleanor Parker was required to have her blonde hair buzzed off to the scalp for her role as a female convict.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Marie Allen announces that her kitten has died, the cat opens its mouth.

Quotes:

Millie: I'm a tall weed in the grass and the grapevines bloomin'.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Lady in Question Is Charles Busch (2005)

Absolutely the best women in prison film made!!!

This film, of the genre, women in prison, or incarcerated.... is the best.. I cant understand why its not available on VHS or DVD !!!?? Brilliant performances by Eleanor Parker, Agnes Moorehead, and especially, Hope Emerson, as the prison matron... were all outstanding!! Parker & Emerson were Oscar nominated, and in a year (1950) which gave us, "All About Eve" , "Sunset Blvd", and others, that was no easy feat!!...Parkers beauty and innocence gave the film its sensitivity & vulnerability... Moorehead was also outstanding (as always) but Emerson defined the role of prison matron.. forever!!.wow what a monster....!!! what a performance.. !!watch for the lesbian moments as Emerson attempts to control the "girls" esp. Parker.. Nice moments by Gertrude Hoffmann (later Mrs Odettes in TVs "My Little Margie",) as the older inmate.... and the entire cast... a gem... dont miss.... and please reissue on video......