CAGED BOIDS!Now, honestly, who does not love a WOMEN IN PRISON FLICK or two. Gals behind bars. Being restrained, thrown into isolation, tortured by terrifying Amazons or ruthless Costume Designers. Here are a couple of swell classics.
CAGED, starring Eleanor Parker, is probably the best known cult classics of the genre. Parker portrays a newlywed 19 year old, sentenced to hard time and taught the ropes of tough prison life by Dames who've been in and out several times. Surprisingly well-acted by well known HAM Parker (who was nominated for an Oscar) she's restrained and vital. Her transformation from ingenue to hard boiled gal is believable. Supported by a sterling cast of character actresses (Ellen Corby, and Oscar Nominee Hope Emerson as the SCARY matron, Agnes Moorehead as the kindly warden), well. This film has to be seen to be believed. Written by Virginia Kellogg, who did research by posing as an inmate, also nominated for a big award. I didn't really see the camp value, but it was compelling. Dated, yes. Campy, no.
Olivia DeHavilland in LADY IN A CAGE is campy. DeHavilland (with quite the rack for a broad in her 50's) is locked betwixt floors in a private elevator in her opulent home. Well, I won't go into the rest, but she's terrorized by a young James Caan, and a blowsy Ann Sothern. Vaguely Oedipal overtones here, as her pampered son decides to blow the coop the same morning. Not as fiendish as WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE, but it did have me on the edge of my seat, clutching Gus, who watched it with an intent rare in the feline species. Two Paws Up!
Ever wondered what it would be like if your Costume Designer went berserk?! ZIEGFELD GIRL does just that. Complete with a star-studded MGM cast, this flick features some of the most outlandish, uncomfortable frocks and costumes in film history. Designer ADRIAN run amuck! Starring Judy Garland as her perky, still a little fat girl self, Hedy Lamarr, who's just plain gorgeous and does nothing, and a surprisingly GOOD Lana Turner as the red-head gal who goes down hill. Eve Arden's around too, hand on one hip, leaning on a dressing room mirror and tossing off those wry asides that made her famous. And then there are the rest, Ziegfeld girls all, meandering down staircases dressed in sea coral, balloons, tinsel, cellophane....you name it. FABOO supporting cast and undergarments.
This is bondage in the highest form.
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