moonspinner55 Review of Lady in a Cage

Lady in a Cage (1964)

Despite a highly sympathetic turn, it's no "Snake Pit" for Olivia

[5/10 · 27 January 2002]

I always remembered this as a disturbing shocker, but having rewatched the film on AMC the other day, I was disappointed by the lame supporting performances and a frustrating lack of logic. The contrivances that occur to get Olivia de Havilland stuck in that elevator are unbelievable. And, although she is graceful and sympathetic, her actions after her house is broken into are full of ninnyisms (why not make a rope out of that long house-frock and slip down to the floor?). The punks (led by James Caan!) are menacing enough, but the actor playing the drunken bum is given way too much screen-time (and his overacting is positively painful--you sigh with relief when he is gone). The film has some thoughtful things to say about apathy in our society, and it has bits and pieces which come through with a terrific charge; but, for the sake of cheap thrills, the movie casts its harsh reality to the winds. ** from ****