Caged
- Eleanor Parker: Mary Ellen
- Agnes Moorehead: Ruth Benton
- Hope Emerson: Evelyn Harper
- Betty Garde: Kitty Stark
- Ellen Corby: Emma
- January Sterling: Smoochie
- Lee Patrick: Elvira Powell
- Olive Deering: June
- Jane Darwell: Warden in solitary confinement
Women's Prison ( Original title: Caged ) is an American film drama directed by John Cromwell in 1950, the film was released on November 2, 1951 in the German cinemas and has been marketed in Germany under the title Lost Women. .
Action
The 19 - year-old Marie Allen is sent to the state prison. With her husband she had robbed a gas station, her husband died, she was taken. In the medical examination turns out that Marie is pregnant. The head of the guards Ruth Benton sends them as a guard in the laundry. The Guardian Evelyn Harper awards for cash benefits. When she finds out that Marie has no money, she lets them brush their cells.
Marie learns Smoochie, Kitty Stark and Claire know who are convinced that most women were sitting - as Marie - because of their men a. In the course of her pregnancy Marie gets sick. She hopes, as it is at the birth of the baby still in prison that her mother and her stepfather to take care of the child until its release. Kitty Marie proposes plan to try their shoplifting scam if it is outside. But Marie refuses. One of the prisoners suffer a nervous breakdown. Another, June, hanged himself when you fail her probation. Marie goes to the sick bed. The doctor complains about the conditions there. Ruth Benton requested a higher medical budget. In addition, she gets with the sadism of Harper's, but they can not do anything because this influence has in the supervisor. Benton's requests, hire teachers and psychologists will be rejected.
Marie's mother refuses to take the baby. The child is given up for adoption. Marie has an appointment with the parole board, and although Ruth Benton supports them rejected their probation. In the meantime, Elvira Powell, brought an enemy of Kitty jail. Elvira Quick curries favor from Harper. She tries to win Marie for a call girl ring, but Mary remains at Kitty, who has renewed their offer. Kitty Marie shows several techniques that shows hardy and docile Marie, how easy it is to dupe a store detective. Elvira suggests Harper before, Benton to teach them, that Kitty shoplifters forms. Kitty takes a beating and comes in solitary confinement.
Marie finds a stray kitten. Harper wants the animal continued to create, leading to unrest among the prisoners. As a countermeasure, Benton sweeps all the perks and Marie can bring in solitary confinement. Harper can shave Marie's head without Benton knows about it. Benton's efforts to get rid of Harper, become a boomerang. You will be invited to submit their resignations. Marie returns from his sickbed, as Kitty Harper kills with a fork. Marie is desperate and wants with all the power out of jail. She asks for help and even Elvira is actually released. Benton has failed to enforce its planned reforms. When Marie leaves the prison, she asks her secretary to keep available the index card. She is certain that Marie will return.
Criticism
" Cynical criticism of the inadequate methods of the penal system, melodramatic, but enthralling thanks histrionic excellence. "
Awards
- Nomination in the category Best Actress for Eleanor Parker ( Winner: Judy Hollyday in The Born Yesterday )
- Nomination in the category Best Supporting Actress for Hope Emerson ( Winner: Josephine Hull in My friend Harvey )
- Nomination for Best Original Screenplay for Virginia Kellogg and Bernard C. Schoenfeld (winner: Billy Wilder, Charles Brackett and DM Marshman Jr. with Sunset Boulevard )
- Coppa Volpi for Best Actress Eleanor Parker
- Nominated for the Golden Lion for John Cromwell
Background
The film is an example of product placement in previous films. Thus, various products are clearly visible.
In order to investigate authentic, Virginia Kellogg spent some time in a women's prison and there wrote down their experiences. From these writings the script was created at the instigation of the production company Warner Bros..
January sterling stood at the beginning of her career. The film is her second role.
Under the title of the women's prison appeared in Germany following films: Prison de Femmes (France, 1958) by Maurice Cloche and Femmes on Cage ( Switzerland, 1975) from Jess Franco.