Review of Lady in a Cage (1964) by You K — 15 Aug 2007

Disturbing in its depiction of mankind's capacity to be apathetic and violent, no one gets off the hook (morally speaking) in "Lady in a Cage." De Havilland is a possessive mother whose opulent lifestyle and possessiveness drive her son away and she is subsequently trapped in an elevator between floors in her home.

Mayhem ensues when her panic alarm only attracts vile miscreants, intent on taking whatever they can and destroying whatever they can't. Great opening titles. James Caan makes you want to puke (in a good way) as the head thug in his first major screen performance.

Belongs to the string of thrillers that began with "Whatever Happened to baby Jane?" that starred older actresses of Hollywood's first golden age although "Lady" distinguishes itself with its notable lack of humour and irony.

Unflinching, unnerving and unforgettable.