Women in Chains

This movie would be a real hoot even 30 years after it came out. DVD for a restored copy would be great. From my view one of the best of the so-called sexploitation films of its era. And unlike most, the uniforms used are actually authentic to that period. And great looking, too!

The one thing I will say about Women in Chains: Lois Nettleton's performance was powerful. I look forward to seeing it again. And again. Ida Lupino, Belinda Montgomery, don't miss them!

The last time, she played a sadistic warden in 1955's Women's Prison. This time she plays a sadistic prison guard with too much power.

The premise, which I will not give away, is pretty preposterous. Thats okay. This is pure camp.

Poor Lois Nettleton. She was a good actress and quite attractive. She deserved better than the awful TV she got stuck in.

Apparently, the only privilege these women DON'T get taken away is their false eyelashes.

When one of her parolees is killed in prison, "Sandra Parker" (Lois Nettleton) decides to investigate by going into the prison disguised as a convict under the name of "Sally Porter". The only person who knows of her ruse is her fellow parole officer "Helen Anderson" (Penny Fuller). Unfortunately, Helen is killed in the line of duty and nobody else is aware of Sandra's plan. So now she has to contend with a sadistic chief matron named "Claire Tyson" (Ida Lupino) who has developed an intense dislike for her. To help the chief matron are two informants named "Dee Dee" (Jessica Walter) and "Leila" (Barbara Luna). Anyway, rather than divulge what happens next I will just say that this was very suspenseful for a made-for-television movie. Naturally, there is no nudity or graphic language due to the restrictive format. However, the acting and the storyline were both top-notch and everything seems to flow together quite well. Definitely worth a watch.

I would say it's a mix up between WOMEN'S PRISON and BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT. Not less. Take the topic: A female probation officer decides to watch prison system first hand. So, she arranges fake identity with the help of a girl friend of hers - the ONLY person who is aware of that situation. The probation officer actually wants to denounce the "inside" system: brutality, violence, sadistic behaviors, and not only from the inmates...

And, of course, as in WOMEN's PRISON, 18 years earlier, we can find Ida Lupino again, in a sadistic warden character. What a delight !!!

I will not insist on the first rate strength of this movie about inside daily life. As many films of this kind, it's very realistic, fierce but poignant too. Characters are outstanding. I am also pleased to find Jessica Walter, I knew through PLAY MISTY FOR ME. Remember, the waco girl who was in love with Clint Eastwood...

And the link between the feature and Fritz Lang's masterpiece: BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT is the fact that a person - Dana Andrews for instance in Lang's film - wants to denounce something - death penalty for BEYOND... - and the the only person who can testify of his try dies.

So...

For God's sake, don't miss this terrific TV movie. You won't regret it.