The opening of this women's farm prison drama literally starts off with a bang, showing tough girl Beverly Michaels rushing out of a show-down between her gangster boyfriend and the police, and living to tell other tough girls about it. She ends up in a farm detention camp run by evil Esther Dale, who along with mean- spirited guard Sara Haden runs a no nonsense ship. She has no tolerance for any kind of coddling, and gives "Caged" matron Hope Emerson and the same year's Women's Prison " warden Ida Lupino a run for their money.
Dale's inmate secretary Carole Matthews is basically threatened into spying on Michael whom Haden had earlier roughed up before throwing her into solitary. Along with fellow inmate Peggy Knudeson, the determined Michaels vows to escape, especially if she can get her hands on money Knudeson has stashed.
This is far more brutal than either "Caged" and 'Women's Prison ", and that ain't an easy feat. Haden literally turns the hose on Matthews (Shame on you, Aunt Millie!), beating her with it and leaving no marks, while Dale's seemingly retarded brother actually hoses Michael down brutally, showing the power of water pressure. These scenes are very disturbing, but don't you great, 'cause there is a special punishment in store for these evil has.
Dale had previously played an equally hard-nosed matron in 1938's " Condemned Women", but 17 years have greatly aged the popular character actress who may have been annoying as Ma Kettle's rival, Birdie Hicks, but other than being a trifle bit of a gossip was basically harmless. She is despicable here, and the scene of her being taken hostage is uncomfortable because she shows absolutely no emotion to her predicament. This weakens the character structure, which also happens with several others.
"B" movies like this can be fun because they often dare to go where "S" pictures won't. Then there is the short running time, just 70 minutes, which makes the flaws all the more tolerable. Nobody really gives what I would call a good performance, but "B" movie viewers will love it. I made it through without losing interest, but I honestly hoped for some camp elements, something this seriously lacks. But to quote Dale in regards to how she really feels about her charges, "This isn't exactly finishing school, but we'll give her a course in charm!"
Dale's inmate secretary Carole Matthews is basically threatened into spying on Michael whom Haden had earlier roughed up before throwing her into solitary. Along with fellow inmate Peggy Knudeson, the determined Michaels vows to escape, especially if she can get her hands on money Knudeson has stashed.
This is far more brutal than either "Caged" and 'Women's Prison ", and that ain't an easy feat. Haden literally turns the hose on Matthews (Shame on you, Aunt Millie!), beating her with it and leaving no marks, while Dale's seemingly retarded brother actually hoses Michael down brutally, showing the power of water pressure. These scenes are very disturbing, but don't you great, 'cause there is a special punishment in store for these evil has.
Dale had previously played an equally hard-nosed matron in 1938's " Condemned Women", but 17 years have greatly aged the popular character actress who may have been annoying as Ma Kettle's rival, Birdie Hicks, but other than being a trifle bit of a gossip was basically harmless. She is despicable here, and the scene of her being taken hostage is uncomfortable because she shows absolutely no emotion to her predicament. This weakens the character structure, which also happens with several others.
"B" movies like this can be fun because they often dare to go where "S" pictures won't. Then there is the short running time, just 70 minutes, which makes the flaws all the more tolerable. Nobody really gives what I would call a good performance, but "B" movie viewers will love it. I made it through without losing interest, but I honestly hoped for some camp elements, something this seriously lacks. But to quote Dale in regards to how she really feels about her charges, "This isn't exactly finishing school, but we'll give her a course in charm!"