Caught (1949)

An L.A. department store ambitious young model gets her wish of marrying a millionaire but she eventually discovers that rich life isn't always a happy one.

Director:

Max Ophüls (as Max Opuls)

Writers:

Arthur Laurents (screenplay), Libbie Block (novel)

Stars:

James Mason, Barbara Bel Geddes, Robert Ryan

Cast

Complete credited cast:
James Mason	...	Larry Quinada
Barbara Bel Geddes	...	Leonora Eames
Robert Ryan	...	Smith Ohlrig
Frank Ferguson	...	Dr. Hoffman
Curt Bois	...	Franzi Kartos
Ruth Brady	...	Maxine
Natalie Schafer	...	Dorothy Dale (as Natalie Schaefer)
Art Smith	...	Psychiatrist

Storyline

It was Leonora Eames' childhood dream come true. She had married Smith Ohlrig, a man worth millions. But her innocent dream became a nightmare once she realizes the truth about her husband - he is power mad and insane! Since he will not grant her a divorce, she leaves her life of luxury on Long Island and goes to work as a receptionist in an impoverished doctor's office in NYC's lower east side. After Smith deceives her into a temporary reconciliation, Leonora becomes pregnant. By the time she realizes she is expecting, she and one of the doctors, Larry Quinada (James Mason), have fallen in love. But she is again lured backed to her wealthy husband to give her child financial security. Her sadistic husband is hell-bent on keeping her and her child prisoner. What will happen to Leonora?

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Plot Keywords:

1940s | objectified woman | self made millionaire | long island new york | psychoanalyst | 

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Taglines:

Story of the Waitress and the Millionaire!

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Genres:

Drama | Film-Noir | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

April 1949 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Luckiest Girl in the World

Filming Locations:

California Studios - 5530 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,574,422 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$511,000, 31 December 1949

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$776,000, 31 December 1949

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Enterprise Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Both John Berry and Robert Aldrich directed additional scenes, uncredited.

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Quotes

Maxine: [Persuading Leonora to attend a charm school] You're not going just to get a better job. A charm school is like college and finishing school combined.
Leonora Eames: I can read, Maxine.
Maxine: Well, all I can say is, without a social education, you're never gonna' meet a real man.
Leonora Eames: What'sa matter with George?
Maxine: Well, he'll never be able to buy you a mink coat.

User Reviews

Dark Soap Opera

A young woman marries a millionaire but then falls in a love with a poor doctor. Bel Geddes is miscast as the woman in the love triangle. The role calls for someone beautiful and vibrant, but the actress is too plain and dull to be believable as someone who rich and powerful men would be fighting over. Mason is supposed to be American, but makes no attempt to suppress his British accent. Ryan gives the most interesting performance here, as the intimidating and controlling big shot Bel Geddes marries. It has the look of a film noir but it is really nothing more than a soap opera. Ophuls specialized in these types of films, but he can't overcome the mediocre script.