La fille de l'enfer

Original title: Safe in Hell

1931
Passed
1h 13m

IMDb RATING

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Dorothy Mackaill in La fille de l'enfer (1931)

After accidentally killing the man who raped her and forced her into prostitution, a New Orleans woman flees to a Caribbean island. While she awaits her fiancé, the vicious local police chie... Read allAfter accidentally killing the man who raped her and forced her into prostitution, a New Orleans woman flees to a Caribbean island. While she awaits her fiancé, the vicious local police chief sets his sights on her.After accidentally killing the man who raped her and forced her into prostitution, a New Orleans woman flees to a Caribbean island. While she awaits her fiancé, the vicious local police chief sets his sights on her.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.9/10

2.2K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

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Storyline

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Trivia
Originally Barbara Stanwyck was cast as Gilda, and was even in the rehearsals. Columbia studio filed an injunction stating that Stanwyck had jumped her contract to work for Warners and still owed Columbia one film. Eventually the court granted Columbia's injunction, Mackaill (who was already in production as Gilda in wardrobe fittings) got the lead, and Stanwyck went back to Columbia to make Forbidden (1932).

Goofs
While Carl is away, Gilda supposedly plays over 3400 games of solitaire in two weeks. Assuming an average of five minutes per game, this would require her to play at least 16 hours every single day.

Quotes
Lawyer Jones: [Mr. Bruno, the island's executioner, has just joined them] How's tricks?
Mr. Bruno - the Hangman: There are no tricks in my business. When a man hangs... he hangs.
Lawyer Jones: What a satisfactory way to get rid of one's enemies.
Mr. Bruno - the Hangman: I *have* no enemies.
Gen. Emmanuel Jesus Maria Gomez: No "living" enemies, eh, Señor?
Mr. Bruno - the Hangman: As jailer and executioner of this island, I may not be popular with the criminal element. But my activities are confined to island crime. While we do not believe in the international law of extradition, our own laws are very strict. But as long as you behave yourselves here, you are safe from both jail and gallows... "safe in hell."

Crazy credits
The title card shows burning flames covering the letters of the title.

Connections
Featured in Complicated Women (2003)

Soundtracks
Pagan Moon
(1931) (uncredited)
Music by Joseph A. Burke
Played during the opening and ending credits
Played often in the score

User reviews57

Featured review

Wellman Pre-Code

Safe in Hell (1931)

*** (out of 4)

Warner Pre-Code from director William A. Wellman about a prostitute (Dorothy Mackaill) who kills a former lover and then takes off with her current lover (Donald Cook). The sailor/lover takes her to an island where she can live without fear of being arrested since the local sheriff gives shelter to criminals. This sounds good but it isn't because she's the only white woman on an island full of criminals and all of them have ideas for her. What really stands out about this film is all the sexuality that Wellman throws out the screen and this film is certainly one of the dirtier films of the era. As expected, there's a scene with Mackaill undressing for the camera and a see through night gown. We also get a scene where the men spread their legs out as they watch the woman with a high sexual tone. Not to mention another scene where the men look up her dress as she walks up some steps. Mackaill is very, very good in her role as she blends sex and a toughness, which makes these films so memorable. The supporting cast is also very good but the story is pretty standard and lacking. There's not too much drama as the screenplay seems a tad bit lazy but this is still worth watching due to all the sexuality.