I don't recall anyone mentioning one of the most grueling prison films of
all: "Caged" (1950) written by Virginia Kellogg and directed by John
Cromwell. Starring Eleanor Parker, Agnes Moorehead, Jan Sterling and the
unforgettable Hope Emerson.
 
Parodied to the point of no return, this is the original "women in prison"
film. If "The Big House" is the grand-daddy of all prison pictures, this
surely is the Big Mama of them all.
 
Perhaps no-one has mentioned it because it is not (or has not until recently)
been available on tape. It is unique in that it works both as a powerful
social statement (in a noir tone) and (because of all the parodies) as a camp
classic as well.
 
Gene Stavis, School of Visual Arts - NYC
 
----
To signoff SCREEN-L, e-mail [log in to unmask] and put SIGNOFF SCREEN-L
in the message.  Problems?  Contact [log in to unmask]