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 | rape | clergyman | scar | 

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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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Crazy Credits

Introducing Mala Powers and Tod Andrews

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Connections

Featured in 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

Rape and its aftermath

"Outrage" is about rape, though the word is never mentioned. Directed and cowritten by Ida Lupino, it concerns a young woman (Mala Powers) who is engaged to be married and is raped on her way home from work. Traumatized and filled with shame, she runs away from home. She ends up in a community where she is attended to by a minister. However, she doesn't tell him what happened to her. Problems arise.

Though made 56 years ago, the elements of the film ring true, and of course, feelings don't change - the victim thinks she's dirty and behaves as if she is the criminal.

Mala Powers gives a very good performance, exhibiting the shock, nervousness, and terror of the victim. Though the script meanders a bit, Lupino does an excellent job of directing, particularly the action scenes.

In 1950, this film was probably ahead of its time. It's good to see to show us where we were (particularly with no DNA tests or rape kits) and where we are.