Wonderland Burlesque's
Let's All Go To The Movies
She's A Lady!
Part XIX
Yes, sometimes? It takes a lady.
Or so these films would have us believe.
They promise lots of drama, the occasional comedy or musical, and a little bit of dirt!
Let's take a walk down Hollywood Blvd. and shine a light on these magnificent classic films.
This way, if you please. But remember...
Ladies first!
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Lady In Danger
(1934)
An Englishman is assigned the task of transporting a Queen of a revolution-torn country to England incognito. Hiding her, first in his London apartment and then in his country house, gives rise to many misunderstandings among his employees, friends and - most importantly - his fianceé!
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Lady In Distress
(1940)
AKA: A Window In London
While on his way to work one morning, a man looks out the window of the train and sees a young woman being murdered. When he investigates the crime, he discovers a foul-tempered illusionist, Zoltini (Paul Lukas), who has a turbulent relationship with his young wife Vivienne (Sally Gray).
This British thriller was directed by Herbert Mason, and stars Michael Redgrave, Patricia Roc, Sally Gray, Paul Lukas and Hartley Power. It was written by Brigid Cooper and Ian Dalrymple for Greenspan & Seligman Enterprises Ltd and distributed by General Film Distributors.
This film is a remake of the French film Metropolitan (1939).
Set in London, the construction of Waterloo Bridge was underway at the time. Filmed before the Second World War, men are shown working on the bridge, however, during the war it was mainly constructed by women, and was therefore known as 'the ladies bridge'.
Kimberley & Page and Pamela Randell appear as specialty acts. This film marked the first time Michael Redgrave sang on screen.
Sally Gray
At the time it was released, this film was generally well-received, given high praise for its direction and narration. The Monthly Film Bulletin praised the film for the use of locations and the cast. It's thought to include Patricia Roc's "best acting" role - despite not having as large a role as the other actors of the main cast. Additionally The Monthly Film Bulletin said that, "Patricia Roc gives a charming little character study of a working girl wife." The Sydney Morning Herald said that the "story has the fascination of the unexpected."
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Lady In A Jam
(1942)
AKA: The Sheltered Side
This American comedy was directed by Gregory La Cava and starring Irene Dunne, Patric Knowles, Ralph Bellamy, and Eugene Pallette. It was made and distributed by Universal Pictures, with sets designed by art director Jack Otterson.
At the time of filming, Irene Dunne was 43 years-old, while her romantic interest, Patric Knowles had just turned 30.
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Lady In The Death House
(1944)
A young woman, who claims she was framed, is on death row for the murder of a man who was blackmailing her family. A famous criminologist, believing her to be innocent, rushes to investigate the case and clear her before her execution date. Complicating matters: her fiancé', a doctor who is conducting experiments on reviving the dead, also happens to be the state's executioner, and is assigned to pull the switch when she is strapped into the electric chair!
This American crime thriller was directed by Steve Sekely and stars Jean Parker, Lionel Atwill, Douglas Fowley, Marcia Mae Jones, Robert Middlemass.
Jean Parker appeared in movies, television, and on the stage. Growing up during the depression in Montana, she was an indigent who was adopted by a couple in California at the age of ten. She initially wanted to be an illustrator. Upon winning a poster contest at the age of sixteen, Louis B. Mayer spotted a photo of her in the newspaper and called her to Hollywood. In the 1950s, columnist Erskine Johnson deemed Parker "the Liz Taylor of the 1930s". She had appeared opposite Katherine Hepburn, Joan Bennett, and Francis Dee in George Cukor's adaptation of Little Women. In all, she appeared in 71 films. When she retired in 1965, she became known as a 'Hollywood recluse', never venturing out in public.
Jean Parker
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Lady In A Cage
(1964)
Recuperating from a broken hip sustained four months earlier, the wealthy Cornelia Hilyard has a portable elevator installed temporarily in the home she shares with her thirty year-old son, Malcolm. With a summer heatwave underway, Malcolm leaves for an extended July 4th weekend getaway. During a brief power shortage, the elevator - with Cornelia inside - short circuits, effectively trapping the woman ten feet above the main floor. Having access to only those items she brought into the elevator with her: a book, a transistor radio, her cane and a vase containing a single flower, she quickly finds herself in dire straits. All her efforts using the elevator's emergency functions only attract the wrong element, as two groups of people break into her house. Their initial intent is to simply rob the place, however things change when one of the five, Randall Simpson O'Connell, the leader of the group of younger thugs, becomes fascinated with the idea of murdering Cornelia!
Written and produced by Luther Davis, this American psychological thriller was directed by Walter Grauman, and stars Olivia de Havilland and James Caan. The film was released by Paramount Pictures.
The film was announced in August of 1962 with Ralph Nelson scheduled to direct and Robert Webber attached as star. Joan Crawford and Elizabeth Montgomery were both being sought for the female lead. Rosalind Russell was offered the part but turned it down. Crawford accepted. In December of 1962, Olivia de Havilland took over the leading role. Her fee was $300,000. Grauman then signed on, making his film debut as a director. Filming took place in February of 1963, and took fourteen days. de Havilland called the experience "wonderful", praising the talent of James Caan.
The first of two pictures in a row in which Olivia de Havilland would step into a role originally announced for Joan Crawford. de Haviland would also replace Crawford in Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1964).
Although he appeared (uncredited) in Irma la Douce (1963), this served as James Caan's first credited feature film role. Caan later admitted that he modelled his performance in the film after Marlon Brando in A Streetcar Named Desire (1951).
The fate of Ann Sothern's character is never revealed. At one point, she is locked in a closet and never seen again!
The film was initially refused a cinema certificate in the UK by the BBFC. The ban was lifted in 1967, when the film got mostly unfavorable reviews. However, it was scarcely shown anywhere in the UK outside of London, and has never been revived in Britain, nor shown on British television. The film was shown at the London Film Festival in November 1968 but was then banned from public showing once again.
Bosley Crowther wrote a special column in The New York Times criticizing the film, calling it "reprehensible". This led to quite the press controversy. In addition, columnist Hedda Hopper wrote "The picture should be burned! Why did Olivia do it?" Variety said that there is "not a single redeeming character or characteristic" in the "vulgar screenplay", criticizing de Havilland's performance as Oscar bait and Caan's as a copy of Marlon Brando. Time magazine lamented that the film "adds Olivia de Havilland to the list of cinema actresses who would apparently rather be freaks than be forgotten"
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And that's all for now, folks!
Tune in next time...
Same place, same channel.
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Lady In A Cage - Movie Trailer
(1964)
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