Outrage (1950)

A young woman who has just become engaged has her life completely shattered when she is raped while on her way home from work.

Director:

Ida Lupino

Writers:

Collier Young (written for the screen by), Malvin Wald (written for the screen by)

Stars:

Mala Powers, Tod Andrews, Robert Clarke

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mala Powers	...	Ann Walton
Tod Andrews	...	Rev. Bruce Ferguson
Robert Clarke	...	Jim Owens
Raymond Bond	...	Eric Walton
Lillian Hamilton	...	Mrs. Walton (as Lilian Hamilton)
Rita Lupino	...	Stella Carter
Hal March	...	Detective Sergeant Hendrix
Kenneth Patterson	...	Tom Harrison
Jerry Paris	...	Frank Marini
Angela Clarke	...	Madge Harrison
Roy Engel	...	Sheriff Charlie Hanlon
Lovyss Bradley	...	Mrs. Miller
Hamilton Camp	...	Shoeshine Boy (as Robin Camp)
William Challee	...	Lee Wilkins
Tristram Coffin	...	Judge McKenzie

Storyline

A young girl is raped while coming home from work. The trauma of the attack turns her away from her parents and her fiancé, and, unable to face society, she runs away and, using an assumed name, takes a job on an orange ranch. A young clergyman takes an interest in her, although she won't confide in him. When a ranch hand tries to kiss her, she relives her terrifying experience and nearly kills him. She is arrested but when her identity is established and the facts of her case are brought forth, the clergyman convinces the court that it is society that should shoulder the blame. He helps rebuild her faith and send her back to her parents and fiancé.

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Plot Keywords:

fear | factory worker | triple f rated | rape | clergyman | 

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Taglines:

Victim of Attack! It Could Happen to Your Daughter Tonight!

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Film-Noir

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 December 1950 (France)

Also Known As:

Nice Girl

Filming Locations:

Marysville, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Filmakers

Technical Specs

Runtime:

75 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The first of several films from RKO co-produced by The Filmakers, a production company run by Ida Lupino, her husband Collier Young, and their partner Malvin Wald.

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Quotes

Rev. Bruce Ferguson: You know, I believe in miracles.

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Crazy Credits

Introducing Mala Powers and Tod Andrews

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Connections

Featured in Century of Cinema: A Personal Journey with Martin Scorsese Through American Movies (1995)

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Soundtracks

Oh Dear! What Can the Matter Be?
(uncredited)
Traditional
[Heard as background music on a calliope during first scene]

User Reviews

A damaged psyche post despicable crime.

Outrage is directed by Ida Lupino and Lupino co-writes the screenplay with Collier Young and Malvin Wald. It stars Mala Powers, Tod Andrews and Robert Clarke. Music is by Paul Sawtell and cinematography by Archie Stout.

Transport your mindset back to 1950 and you are in all probability going to admire this picture more than you would think. As is duly noted by other reviewers, this pic, and it's treatment of rape as a core subject matter, is dated as such, but that in no way lessens not only its impact and importance in the pantheon of film making, but also the fine work by Lupino. Lupino treads with careful guile, not resorting to sensationalism, it's a super piece of directing from one of the great ladies of cinema yore.

Pic's story deals with how Ann Walton (Powers) is raped and after the ordeal how she reacts to everyday life under her fragile mental state. The decisions she makes, her perception of things and ultimately a near cataclysmic event that brings things to the boil - sort of. Lupino adds in some imposing images, her film noir work serving her well, thus we get odd angles, ominous bulbous lamp lights, lonely streets and clown posters! The pursuit of Ann by a whistling wolf is frightening under any circumstance, but with Lupino adding her noir touches it's positively shattering.

Rest of the pic is tenderly played, a touch too sedate perhaps, while the appearance of a religious slant is forced and not the wisest of choices for the story, but ultimately it's not about mass market appeal. It's about being noticed and worthy, it achieves both for sure. 7/10