This obscure thriller is surprisingly nasty, making for a shocking watch. It’s at the level that you’d see in a low budget grindhouse flick, but this is a big studio picture, with a major star and one in the making.
Hollywood legend Olivia de Havilland is the titular lady, trapped in a home lift when the electric cuts. This leaves her helpless and her calls for help only attract a local bum who sees what he can pilfer from the place. He returns with one of his fences, but the pair (and our unfortunate victim) are made the victims of a group of hoodlums (led by James Caan in his first feature). They set about tormenting the trapped woman as well as torturing the hapless thieves.
Set in striking black and white by director Walter Grauman (who later helmed the celebrated TV movie Crowhaven Farm) and cinematographer Lee Garmes (who was behind the lens of the original Scarface), Lady in a Cage is a startling film with a lot going on. There’s a class war with de Havilland’s middle-class character clearly an easy target for both the down-and-out and the rough gang that predates the nasty edge of later films such as The Last House on the Left and The House on the Edge of the Park. While the violence and language aren’t as explicit as those films, it’s remarkably raw and shocking. Caan is as terrifying and brutal as David Hess was in the aforementioned movies, even if he does wear sandals. The level of nihilism is startling perfect.
Garmes’ photography brings in some really oppressive angles and we can practically feel the sweltering conditions our victim finds herself. The title sequence – made to look as though it’s by Saul Bass – sets the tone perfectly. It’s full of images of differing social classes, and there isn’t one person who appears to have a conscience. People ignore the cries for help and even de Havilland’s character is an overpowering, smothering mother. It’s a bold and impressive scenario for a studio film.
Imprint’s Blu-ray release isn’t as packed as some of their releases, but there are two brand new commentaries that provide great insight and contextualisation into a film that hasn’t been given the right amount of love over the years.
