Lady in a Cage
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''Lady in a Cage'' is a 1964 American
psychological thriller film Psychological thriller is a genre combining the thriller and psychological fiction genres. It is commonly used to describe literature or films that deal with psychological narratives in a thriller or thrilling setting. In terms of context and co ...
directed by
Walter Grauman Walter E. Grauman (March 17, 1922 – March 20, 2015) was an American director of Theatre director, stage shows, Film director, films and television shows. Early life Grauman was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Jacob and Irene Grauman, both chi ...
, written and produced by
Luther Davis Luther Berryhill Davis (August 29, 1916 – July 29, 2008) was an American playwright and screenwriter. Early life an education Davis was born in Brooklyn, New York. He graduated from Culver Military Academy in 1934 and received a bachelor of a ...
, and released by
Paramount Pictures Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film and television production company, production and Distribution (marketing), distribution company and the main namesake division of Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS). It is the fifth-oldes ...
. It stars
Olivia de Havilland Dame Olivia Mary de Havilland (; July 1, 1916July 26, 2020) was a British-American actress. The major works of her cinematic career spanned from 1935 to 1988. She appeared in 49 feature films and was one of the leading actresses of her time. ...
and
James Caan James Edmund Caan ( ; March 26, 1940 – July 6, 2022) was an American actor. He came to prominence playing Sonny Corleone in ''The Godfather'' (1972) – a performance which earned him Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, Academy Award an ...
in his first substantial film role.


Plot

When an electrical power failure occurs, Cornelia Hilyard (
Olivia de Havilland Dame Olivia Mary de Havilland (; July 1, 1916July 26, 2020) was a British-American actress. The major works of her cinematic career spanned from 1935 to 1988. She appeared in 49 feature films and was one of the leading actresses of her time. ...
), a wealthy widow recuperating from a broken hip, becomes trapped between floors in the cage-like elevator she has installed in her mansion. With her son, Malcolm (William Swan), away for a summer weekend, she relies on the elevator's emergency alarm to attract attention, but the only response comes from an unsympathetic
alcoholic Alcoholism is, broadly, any drinking of alcohol that results in significant mental or physical health problems. Because there is disagreement on the definition of the word ''alcoholism'', it is not a recognized diagnostic entity. Predomin ...
derelict, George Brady (
Jeff Corey Jeff Corey (born Arthur Zwerling; August 10, 1914 – August 16, 2002) was an American stage and screen actor who became a well-respected acting teacher after being blacklisted in the 1950s. Life and career Corey attended New Utrecht High ...
), who steals some small items from the house. The wino sells the stolen goods to a fence, Mr. Paul (
Charles Seel Charles Seel (April 29, 1897 – April 19, 1980) was an American actor. He acted in over 30 films from 1938 to 1974 and appeared in over one hundred titles for television from 1952 to 1974. He was also credited as Charles Seal and Charles F. S ...
), visits his hustler friend Sade (
Ann Sothern Ann Sothern (born Harriette Arlene Lake; January 22, 1909 – March 15, 2001) was an American actress who worked on stage, radio, film, and television, in a career that spanned nearly six decades. Sothern began her career in the late 1920 ...
), and tells her of the treasure trove he has stumbled upon. The expensive goods George fences attract the attention of three young hoodlums, Randall O'Connell (
James Caan James Edmund Caan ( ; March 26, 1940 – July 6, 2022) was an American actor. He came to prominence playing Sonny Corleone in ''The Godfather'' (1972) – a performance which earned him Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, Academy Award an ...
), Elaine (
Jennifer Billingsley Jennifer Billingsley is a retired American television and film actress. Early years The daughter of Army Col. Claude Augustus Billingsley, she was born in Honolulu, Hawaii and relocated often as an "Army brat", attending schools in Vienna and C ...
) and Essie (
Rafael Campos Rafael Campos (13 May 1936 – 9 July 1985) was an actor from the Dominican Republic whose credits include ''Blackboard Jungle'' (1955), '' Dino'' (1957), '' The Light in the Forest'' (1958), ''Slumber Party '57'' (1976), ''The Astro-Zombies'' (1 ...
). They follow George and Sade to the house, where Cornelia lives. Cornelia begs them for help, offering to let them take whatever they want and promising not to report them to the police so long as they free her. Instead, the intruders mock her, as they ransack her home and become roaring drunk on the contents of her liquor cabinet. As Cornelia watches in horror, the intruders perform an
orgy In modern usage, an orgy is a sex party consisting of at least five members where guests freely engage in open and unrestrained sexual activity or group sex. Swingers' parties do not always conform to this designation, because at many swing ...
, killing George and locking Sade in a closet. Randall pulls himself up to the elevator and taunts Cornelia by suggesting that Malcolm might be gay. Randall shows her a letter that Malcolm left on her nightstand that morning, in which Malcolm threatens suicide because of her domineering manner. Shocked by the revelation, Cornelia faints. Shortly afterwards, Paul and his goons arrive to steal the goods from the hoodlums' car. After Cornelia regains consciousness, she breaks the elevator door and uses the broken pieces to make a pair of shivs. She falls to the floor and injures herself, but manages to crawl to the front door, before Randall returns. As he drags Cornelia back inside the house, she stabs him in the eyes with the shivs. He goes inside the house and commands his accomplices to bring her inside. Once in the doorway, Cornelia mocks Randall's blindness and his cohorts join in, leaving him to stumble aimlessly through the living room. Her violent act, coupled with the stress of the whole ordeal, causes Cornelia to experience
temporary insanity The insanity defense, also known as the mental disorder defense, is an affirmative defense by excuse in a criminal case, arguing that the defendant is not responsible for their actions due to an episodic psychiatric disease at the time of the ...
and leave her disoriented. As the thieves start to leave, Cornelia mistakes Essie for Malcolm and speaks to him in a daze, expressing guilt over her monstrous hold on her son. She crawls out the front door again and Randall pursues Cornelia outside. Randall stumbles onto the road and is struck and killed by a car. Numerous witnesses stop for the accident and rescue Cornelia. As the police arrive, Essie and Elaine attempt to flee in a car, but they crash into the electric box, which restarts the power in the house and the elevator descends to the floor. Essie and Elaine are arrested, while the others comfort the distraught Cornelia.


Cast

*
Olivia de Havilland Dame Olivia Mary de Havilland (; July 1, 1916July 26, 2020) was a British-American actress. The major works of her cinematic career spanned from 1935 to 1988. She appeared in 49 feature films and was one of the leading actresses of her time. ...
as Mrs. Cornelia Hilyard *
James Caan James Edmund Caan ( ; March 26, 1940 – July 6, 2022) was an American actor. He came to prominence playing Sonny Corleone in ''The Godfather'' (1972) – a performance which earned him Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, Academy Award an ...
as Randall Simpson O'Connell *
Jennifer Billingsley Jennifer Billingsley is a retired American television and film actress. Early years The daughter of Army Col. Claude Augustus Billingsley, she was born in Honolulu, Hawaii and relocated often as an "Army brat", attending schools in Vienna and C ...
as Elaine *
Jeff Corey Jeff Corey (born Arthur Zwerling; August 10, 1914 – August 16, 2002) was an American stage and screen actor who became a well-respected acting teacher after being blacklisted in the 1950s. Life and career Corey attended New Utrecht High ...
as George L. Brady Jr. aka Repent *
Ann Sothern Ann Sothern (born Harriette Arlene Lake; January 22, 1909 – March 15, 2001) was an American actress who worked on stage, radio, film, and television, in a career that spanned nearly six decades. Sothern began her career in the late 1920 ...
as Sade *
Rafael Campos Rafael Campos (13 May 1936 – 9 July 1985) was an actor from the Dominican Republic whose credits include ''Blackboard Jungle'' (1955), '' Dino'' (1957), '' The Light in the Forest'' (1958), ''Slumber Party '57'' (1976), ''The Astro-Zombies'' (1 ...
as Essie * William Swan as Malcolm Hilyard *
Charles Seel Charles Seel (April 29, 1897 – April 19, 1980) was an American actor. He acted in over 30 films from 1938 to 1974 and appeared in over one hundred titles for television from 1952 to 1974. He was also credited as Charles Seal and Charles F. S ...
as Mr. Paul (Junkyard Proprietor) *
Scatman Crothers Benjamin Sherman Crothers (May 23, 1910 – November 22, 1986), known professionally as Scatman Crothers, was an American actor and musician. He is known for playing Louie the Garbage Man on the TV show ''Chico and the Man'', and Dick Hallo ...
as Junkyard Proprietor's Assistant *
Richard Kiel Richard Dawson Kiel (September 13, 1939 – September 10, 2014) was an American actor. Standing tall, he was known for portraying Jaws in '' The Spy Who Loved Me'' (1977) and '' Moonraker'' (1979). Kiel's next-most-recognized role is the t ...
as Pawn shop strongman (uncredited) * Ron Nyman as Neighbor (uncredited)


Production

The film is based on an original idea by Davis, when he was working on a play about the effects of a power outage on the inhabitants of a house in oil country in the Midwest. The incident turned into a battle for survival, one in which Davis shifted the action in his story from a house to an elevator "since like so many New Yorkers I have a sense of claustrophobia in these little automatic elevators." He later said he was also inspired by the New York blackout of 17 August 1959. He knew a lady who was trapped in the elevator of a private residence on the city's Upper East Side. She called for help and was heard by two men who raped her. During his research, he learned that all elevators in New York have to be equipped with a phone, which would have ruined the story, so the film is set in an unnamed city. The film was announced in August 1962 with
Ralph Nelson Ralph Nelson (August 12, 1916 – December 21, 1987) was an American film and television director, producer, writer, and actor. He was best known for directing '' Lilies of the Field'' (1963), '' Father Goose'' (1964), and ''Charly'' (1968) ...
to direct and
Robert Webber Robert Laman Webber (October 14, 1924 – May 19, 1989) was an American actor. He appeared in dozens of films and television series, roles that included Juror No. 12 in the 1957 film ''12 Angry Men''. Early life Webber was born in Santa Ana, ...
attached as star.
Joan Crawford Joan Crawford (born Lucille Fay LeSueur; March 23, ncertain year from 1904 to 1908was an American actress. She started her career as a dancer in traveling theatrical companies before debuting on Broadway. Crawford was signed to a motion pict ...
and
Elizabeth Montgomery Elizabeth Victoria Montgomery (April 15, 1932 – May 18, 1995) was an American actress whose career spanned five decades in film, stage, and television. She is best remembered for her leading role as the witch Samantha Stephens on the televisi ...
were being sought for the female lead.
Rosalind Russell Catherine Rosalind Russell (June 4, 1907November 28, 1976) was an American actress, comedienne, screenwriter, and singer,Obituary ''Variety'', December 1, 1976, p. 79. known for her role as fast-talking newspaper reporter Hildy Johnson in the H ...
was offered the part but turned it down. In December 1962,
Olivia de Havilland Dame Olivia Mary de Havilland (; July 1, 1916July 26, 2020) was a British-American actress. The major works of her cinematic career spanned from 1935 to 1988. She appeared in 49 feature films and was one of the leading actresses of her time. ...
took the leading role. Her fee was $300,000. Grauman signed to make his film debut as a director. Filming took place in February 1963. It took fourteen days and de Havilland called the experience "wonderful", praising the talent of James Caan (in his first credited role).


Reception

Commercially, the film was profitable for Paramount. The film was initially received with negative reviews from critics who considered it to be vulgar and sub-par for an actress of de Havilland's stature.
Bosley Crowther Francis Bosley Crowther Jr. (July 13, 1905 – March 7, 1981) was an American journalist, writer, and film critic for ''The New York Times'' for 27 years. His work helped shape the careers of many actors, directors and screenwriters, though his ...
wrote a special column in the ''
New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid d ...
'' criticising the film, calling it "reprehensible" which led to a press controversy. Columnist
Hedda Hopper Hedda Hopper (born Elda Furry; May 2, 1885February 1, 1966) was an American gossip columnist and actress. At the height of her influence in the 1940s, her readership was 35 million. A strong supporter of the House Un-American Activities Committ ...
wrote "The picture should be burned (...) Why did Olivia do it?" ''
Variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...
'' said that there is "not a single redeeming character or characteristic" in the "vulgar screenplay", criticizing de Havilland's performance as
Oscar bait Oscar bait is a term used in the film community for movies that appear to have been produced for the sole purpose of earning nominations for Academy Awards or "Oscars", as they are commonly known. They are usually released just in advance of Oscar ...
and Caan's as a copy of
Marlon Brando Marlon Brando Jr. (April 3, 1924 – July 1, 2004) was an American actor. Considered one of the most influential actors of the 20th century, he received numerous accolades throughout his career, which spanned six decades, including two Academ ...
. ''
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette The ''Pittsburgh Post-Gazette'', also known simply as the PG, is the largest newspaper serving metropolitan Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Descended from the ''Pittsburgh Gazette'', established in 1786 as the first newspaper published west of the All ...
'' also negatively compared Caan's performance to that of Brando and criticized the plot holes of the movie. ''
Time Time is the continued sequence of existence and events that occurs in an apparently irreversible succession from the past, through the present, into the future. It is a component quantity of various measurements used to sequence events, to ...
'' mentioned that the film "adds Olivia de Havilland to the list of cinema actresses who would apparently rather be freaks than be forgotten".Olivia de Havilland: ‘Lady in a Cage’ (1964)
/ref> Re-evaluated decades later, the film is now seen as one that presented the turbulence and changes of society in the 1960s, and a "deeply disturbing thriller".
TV Guide TV Guide is an American digital media company that provides television program Television, sometimes shortened to TV, is a telecommunication medium for transmitting moving images and sound. The term can refer to a television set, or t ...
gave it 3 stars out of 5 and called it a "realistic, intense thriller".Lady in A Cage - Movie Reviews
/ref>


Home video

The film was released on Region 1 DVD on March 29, 2005.


See also

*
List of films featuring home invasions There is a body of films that feature home invasions. Paula Marantz Cohen says, "Such films reflect an increased fear of the erosion of distinctions between private and public space... These films also reflect a sense that the outside world is mo ...


References


External links

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''Lady in a Cage''
at
Trailers from Hell ''Trailers from Hell'' (branded as ''Trailers from Hell!'') is a web series in which filmmakers discuss and promote individual movies through commenting on their trailers. While the series emphasizes horror, science fiction, fantasy, cult, and expl ...
{{Walter Grauman 1964 films 1960s psychological thriller films American psychological thriller films American black-and-white films Films shot in Los Angeles Paramount Pictures films Films directed by Walter Grauman 1960s English-language films 1960s American films