Lady in a Cage (1964) - Star of the month... Olivia de Havilland

"Take anything you want, but in the name of humanity help me get out of this horrible cage!" - Olivia de Havilland (as Cornelia Hilyard in 'Lady in a Cage')


'Lady in a Cage' is a 1964 horror/thriller starring Olivia de Havilland, Ann Sothern, Jennifer Billingsley and James Caan.

The telephone... So near, yet so far

Cornelia Hilyard (played by de Havilland) is a wealthy middle aged woman living in a 3-story mansion with her 29 year old son Malcolm. Following hip surgery, Cornelia has a private elevator installed to help her commute from floor to floor.
Shortly after Malcolm leaves for a weekend away, there is a power failure, which leaves Cornelia trapped in her elevator, stranded between floors. A virtual prisoner in her home, Cornelia is robbed and terrorised by a drunk, a prostitute and a gang of 3 thugs.

Watch the trailer:

The opening title sequence

The opening title sequence is well crafted with montage shots of some disturbing images intercut with the credits. Some of the images include a dead dog, and a young girl rolling her roller skate over a homeless man laying in a gutter. This presents the spectator of a preview of the disturbing images to come.

Key themes

'Lady in a Cage' is a social commentary of 1960s United States, and the degradation and decaying of family values in society.

Firstly the rise of gang warfare and violence is presented with the gang of thugs breaking into Cornelia's home, and violently robbing and damaging her property. The film also explores violence against women with Randall beating his girlfriend Elaine for being smart, and also the scene with Esse pushing his knife against Sade's neck.

'Lady in a Cage' also plays on sexuality:

• The scene where Randall, Elaine and Esse are in the bathroom together hints at a potential male-female-male threesome
• Malcolm Hilyard, still living and home, is depicted as being homosexual having addressed the letter to his mother as "Dear Darling", with one of the thugs Esse commenting: "This whole letter. It sounds real... what you might say... gay", immediately followed by Randall asking Cornelia "Is your litle boy married?"

A domestic terror

The core of what makes 'Lady in a Cage' so terrifying is most of the events occurring within Cornelia's home - the one place where she should feel safe and secure. It leaves us as the spectator to consider, if Cornelia is unable to be safe within her own home, how can we be safe outside of our homes. In a desperate plea to stop the terror, Cornelia even makes an offer to her attackers: "I'll pay you to stop this animal orgy, $10,000 in cash."

The second domestic terror lies within Cornelia's mind. Towards the end of the film Cornelia's journey of self discovery brings her to the realisation of her controlling and manipulative maternal behaviour, driving her son to the verge of suicide. 

Did you know...

• This was James Caan's first "credited" feature film role - Caan had previously appeared uncredited in 'Irma La Douche' (1963).
• Joan Crawford was initially intended to play the role of Cornelia Hilyard
• The film was refused certification in the UK by the BBFC and remained banned until 2000

Closing remarks

'Lady in a Cage' is a gripping, suspenseful and claustrophobic psychological drama with three brilliant, yet very different performances:

• James Caan delivers a chilling and disturbing performance as the lead thug in his first credited feature film appearance
• Olivia de Havilland (as usual) does not disappoint with her powerful portrayal of the victimised Cornelia
• Screen legend Ann Sothern also steals every scene she's in as drunken prostitute, Sade.

Sadly this film was ahead of it's time and considered to be obcene. Had the film been released 10 years later, I am almost certain the three aforementioned performances would have received Oscar nominations.

When this film was first released in 1964, it terrorised and disturbed film goers, but watching it in 2012 we do not feel the same degree of terror. The disturbing thing about this is the realisation as to how desensitised we are to view films with violence and sadistic themes.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed 'Lady in a Cage' and would strongly recommend it to anyone who enjoys suspense and thrills. 

The Heiress - Star of the month... Olivia de Havilland

"The Heiress" is a 1945 drama directed by William Wyler and starring Olivia de Havilland, Montgomery Clift, Ralph Richardson and Miriam Hopkins.

Montgomery Clift and Olivia de Havilland as
Morris Townsend and Catherine Sloper

In 1996, the film was selected for preservation by the United States National Film Registry for being "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant".


'The Heiress' is based on the play by Ruth and Augustus Goetz, who also wrote the film's screenplay. The play was based on the 1880 novel 'Washington Square' by Henry James.


Naive and shy Catherine Sloper (played by  de Havilland) falls for charming Morris Townsend (played by Clift). Catherine's father, Dr. Sloper (played by Richardson) does not like Townsend, and feels he is interested in Catherine for her inheritance. Despite Dr. Sloper's decision to disinherit Catherine, she decides to elope with Townsend. 

An impersonating trio

I saw Australian film critic Bill Collins present 'The Heiress' on television a few weeks ago, and he explained a concept which I found fascinating.


Catherine is a victim of an impersonating trio:
 - Dr. Austin Sloper (Catherine's father), "a harsh and relentless father impersonating a concerned, loving parent"
- Morris Townsend (Catherine's fiancee) "a fortune hunter impersonating a sincere lover"
- Miriam Hopkins (Catherine's aunt) "a flibbity-jibbant aunt impersonating  a reliable confidante"


When you think about this concept as you watch the film, it distorts your perception of what is taking place, and makes for a emotionally disturbing spectator experience. 

Did you know...

• Olivia de Havilland saw a performance of the play, and aspired to play Catherine
• Olivia de Havilland requested William Wyler direct this film
• Ralph Richardson reprises the role he played on the West End
• Betty Linley reposed the role of Mrs. Montgomery, which she played in the original Broadway production
• Wendy Hiller played the role of Catherine on the original Broadway production, with Peggy Ashcroft playing the role on the West End
• Errol Flynn was originally considered for the role of Morris Townsend, which would have been Olivia and Errol's ninth film together
• Basil Rathbone played the role of Dr. Sloper on Broadway
• Ginger Rogers was first offered the role of Catherine, but turned it down

Awards and nominations

Olivia de Havilland clutches the Oscar she
won for her performance in 'The Heiress'

• Academy Award winner for Best Actress (Olivia de Havilland)
• Academy Award winner for Best Art Direction/Set Decoration in a black and white film
• Academy Award winner for Best Costume Design in a black and white film
• Academy Award winner for Best Music Score
• Academy Award nomination for Best Picture
• Academy Award nomination for Best Director
• Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor (Ralph Richardson)
• Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography in a black and white film
• Golden Globe Award winner for Best Actress - Motion Picture (Olivia de Havilland)
• Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress - Motion Picture (Miriam Hopkins)
• Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Director - Motion Picture
• National Board of Review Award winner for Best Actor (Ralph Richardson)
• New York Film Critics Circle Award winner for Best Actress (Olivia de Havilland)
• Writers Guild of America Awards nomination for Best Written American Drama

Closing remarks

"The Heiress" is a very powerful and compelling film with brilliant performances by all four principle actors.  The brilliant art direction by Harry Horner adds to the film's beauty, particularly the elegant and extravagant staircase. As the Heiress, Olivia de Havilland delivers a remarkable performance, deservedly winning her second and final Oscar.