Review of Caged (1950) by Philip W — 18 Apr 2008

This is a dark, twisted hidden treasure in a fabulous year for lead female performances. It's as depressing as any prison-film out there, and even when it inches toward the occasional cliché, there's a genuine and committed quality to the performances that keeps it on its course.

Eleanor Parker is perfectly cast as the young girl hardened by the corrupt penal system. Her transformation into the jaded convict destined to return to the "cage" is completely realistic. And while Hope Emerson as the sadistic bulwark of a prison matron predictably steals the show, Betty Garde is frighteningly good as the dethroned prisoner ringleader, Kitty Stark. Just an absolute tight-rope walk of a performance. Agnes Morehead delivers her usual dependable performance.

One of the most memorable scenes was when the women all wait for lights to go out for the night, then silently and reverently gather around Marie as she gives milk to kitten she's hiding in her trunk. Pathetic and sad, yet somehow inspiring.

It was interesting to read that the woman who co-wrote the screenplay, managed to land herself in a real women's prison and based Caged on her experiences.

Highly recommended. My favorite Parker performances, just for the record, are: the Baroness in The Sound of Music and Marjorie Lawrence in Interrupted Melody.