Main Cast: Eleanor Parker, Agnes Moorehead, Ellen Corby, Hope Emerson, Betty Garde, Jan Sterling
Release Year: 1950
Country: US
Run Time: 96 minutes
Plot
Caged, considered the best woman's prison film ever made, represents a union between realistic socially conscious drama and the more stylized world of film noir. Marie, (Eleanor Parker), is sentenced to prison for helping her husband in a small robbery. The prison is run by the sadistic matron Evelyn (Hope Emerson) who is secure in her position due to corrupt political influence. The film shows Marie's slow disillusionment with society and her eventual decision to become a prostitute in order to gain parole after observing her friend and fellow inmate Kitty (Betty Garde) lose her sanity and murder their oppressor Evelyn. With this uncompromisingly pessimistic statement on human nature, John Cromwell reaches his peak as a director. Under his expert direction, Eleanor Parker gives the best performance of her career and creates a convincing metamorphosis from a innocent young girl to a hardened criminal. Her performance is nuanced, low-keyed and emotionally charged. Equally impressive is Cromwell's visual realization of the claustrophobia of prison life, aided by the high-contrast photography of Carl Guthrie. This excellent, grim drama is uncompromising in its refusal to sentimentalize the plight of Marie as a victim or to absolve her of her role in her fate, nor does it absolve society as it shows the results of desperation and brutalization on human dignity. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide
Review
Caged is so beloved by camp aficionados that it's easy to forget that it's actually a hard-hitting and very well-done drama. Years of trashy women's prison films have made the mere mention of one seem laughable, a hoot. And to be sure, there are plenty of moments during Caged when one does find oneself chuckling, perhaps even giggling. Yet these moments are relatively few, and they somehow do not dampen the incredible impact of this noir-dripped "problem film." Much of the credit must go to Virginia Kellogg and Bernard Schoenfeld's screenplay, which is marvelously constructed and filled with memorable dialogue -- and with memorable characters to deliver it. John Cromwell also deserves kudos for his sterling direction, which navigates some very tricky paths without making any false moves. He also manages the all-important trick of conveying the maddening claustrophobia of life in the clink without oppressing the viewer to the point of distraction. He's aided in this by Carl Guthrie, whose camera finds the stark and painful beauty in this ruthless environment. But what most viewers will remember about Caged are the bravura performances. The entire cast is excellent, but Eleanor Parker's harrowing portrayal is unforgettable and the cornerstone upon which the film is built. She gets excellent support from Hope Emerson, Agnes Moorehead, and others, but the picture succeeds because of Parker. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Jane Darwell - Isolation Matron; Lee Patrick - Elvira Powell; Olive Deering - June; Gertrude Michael - Georgia; Sheila Stevens - Helen; Joan Miller - Claire; Marjorie Crossland - Cossie; Taylor Holmes - Senator Donnolly; Frances Morris - Mrs. Foley; George Baxter - Jeffries; Don Beddoe - Commissioner Walker; Lovyss Bradley - Inmate; Olive Carey - June; Davison Clark - Doctor; Pauline Drake - Doctor's Wife; Marlo Dwyer - Julie; Helen Eby-Rock - Inmate; Edith Evanson - Miss Barker; Sandra Gould - Skip; William Haade - Laundryman; Grayce Hampton; Grace Hayes - Mugging Matron; Esther Howard - Grace; Hazel Keener - Matron; Doris Kemper - Inmate; Charles Meredith - Chairman; Queenie Smith - Mrs. Warren; Helen Spring - Woman; Nita Talbot - Inmate; Ann Tyrrell - Edna; Harlan Warde - Dr. Ashton; Ruth Warren - Miss Lyons; Billy Wayne - Ada's Father; Marjorie Wood - Matron; Helen Mowery - Woman; Jean Calhoun - Inmate; Guy Beach - Mr. Cooper; Gail Bonney - Inmate; Virginia Engels - Inmate; Tina Menard - Inmate; Ezelle Poule - Inmate; Peggy Wynne - Lottie; Jane Crowley - Matron; Evelyn Dockson - Matron; William Hunter - Guard; Gracille LaVinder - Visiting Room Matron; Marie Melesch; Eileen Stevens - Infirmary Nurse
Credit
Charles H. Clarke - Art Director, John Cromwell - Director, Owen Marks - Editor, Max Steiner - Composer (Music Score), Ed Voight - Makeup, Perc Westmore - Makeup, Carl Guthrie - Cinematographer, Jerry Wald - Producer, G.W. Berntsen - Set Designer, Stan Jones - Sound/Sound Designer, Virginia Kellogg - Screenwriter, Bernard Schoenfeld - Screenwriter
