Caged (1950)

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.

Director:

John Cromwell

Writers:

Virginia Kellogg (screenplay), Virginia Kellogg (story),

Stars:

Eleanor Parker, Agnes Moorehead, Ellen Corby

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

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

Storyline

Frightened 19-year-old Marie Allen gets sent to an Illinois penitentiary for being an accomplice in an armed robbery. A sympathetic prison head tries to help, but her efforts are subverted by cruel matron Evelyn Harper. Marie's harsh experiences turn her from doe-eyed innocent to hard-nosed con.

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Plot Keywords:

prison | obese woman | birth in prison | cruelty | killed with a fork | 

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Taglines:

Will she come out a woman or a wildcat?

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Film-Noir

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 May 1950 (USA)

Also Known As:

Femmes en cage

Filming Locations:

Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In an early example of product placement, Snickers, Mason Mints, and Life-Savers are clearly visible when Harper opens the drawer in her room.

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Goofs

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

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Quotes

Evelyn Harper: Line up, you tramps. This ain't no upstairs delicatessen.

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Connections

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

User Reviews

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......