This 1950 British film has two hallmarks of quality. Firstly, it was released by Ealing Studios. Although famed for their comedy output with films that made a star of Alec Guinness, they also contributed serious dramas. ‘Cage of Gold' falls into this category. Secondly, it is directed by Basil Dearden, one of the most talented British filmmakers of the era. He contributed to the classic anthology horror ‘Dead of Night', made a star of Dirk Bogarde thanks to ‘The Blue Lamp' and brought the best ever performance out of Roger Moore in his final film, ‘The Man Who Haunted Himself'.
‘Cage of Gold' was released in 1950, the same year as ‘The Blue Lamp', and it was Dearden's latter film that garnered more critical and commercial attention, inspiring the long-running television police procedural drama ‘Dixon of Dock Green'. Nevertheless, ‘Cage of Gold' is a slick and polished melodrama that comes with a fair amount of directorial flair.
Jean Simmons, perhaps best-remembered for starring as Laurence Olivier's Ophelia in his Oscar-winning film adaptation of ‘Hamlet', plays Judith Moray. She is an attractive young woman caught in a love triangle. She loves caddish playboy Bill (David Farrar) whilst the sensible but dull Dr Alan Kearn (James Donald) loves her, a sentiment she cannot return. As her head and her heart wrestle one another, she makes decisions that will impact upon all of their lives. The film follows the course of her tumultuous love life, as a reckless liaison with the promise-breaking Farrar has far-reaching consequences.
Unusually for a film of the era, ‘Cage of Gold' gives a strong leading role to a woman. Simmons is solid enough in her moment in the spotlight, though her range is limited and her over-earnest seriousness is at risk of appearing wooden at times. In fairness to her, all of the characters are drawn in broad brushstrokes. There is nothing especially appealing about David Farrar's Bill Glennan, who is more than twenty years older than Simmons. In his early forties but (as is so often the way with the generation scarred by world wars) he looks significantly older than that. Why women throw themselves at him is a mystery that the film doesn't clear up. James Donald as Dr Kearn, whose unrequited love for Judith adds an additional layer of drama to the film, is by far the most sympathetic character.
Supporting roles are played by character actors of distinction. Herbert Lom (‘The Ladykillers', ‘Spartacus'), graces the scenes in which Bill Glennan attempts to extort Judith's father. There is a brief appearance by Bernard Lee (the original ‘M' in the James Bond films) as a police inspector. Harcourt Williams, a theatre legend who had a role in Olivier's ‘Henry V', plays Kearn's equally sympathetic father.
Although the plot is familiar and the film's resolution unsurprising, there's much to like about ‘Cage of Gold', most of which comes down to how stylishly it is shot. Under Basil Dearden's assured direction and Douglas Slocombe's moody cinematography, what could easily have been a pot-boiler instead becomes a film that, whilst not a classic, has a decent amount of suspense and tension.
The new 4K restoration for Blu-ray makes the black and white film prints look crisp and clean. The disc includes a feature in which Liz Tregenza talks about dress designer Frederick Starke. ‘Cage of Gold' is released as part of Studiocanal's Vintage Classics series.
Cast: Jean Simmons, James Donald, David Farrar, Madeleine Lebeau, Herbert Lom, Bernard Lee Director: Basil Dearden Writer: Jack Whittingham Released by: Studiocanal Certificate: PG Duration: 83 mins Release date: 16th September 2024 Buy ‘Cage of Gold'
