MovieChat Forums > The Caretakers (1963) Discussion > Question and possible spoiler

Question and possible spoiler

posted 17 years ago by hilljayne
7 replies | jump to latest

Just got this movie today, it's ok. Good performances by a lot of familiar faces. My question is, was Lorna raped by the male patients? They don't show it and I know the Doctor keeps telling her she is ok afterwards but I am curious about everyone else's thoughts.

My two biggest complaints are: Though there are good performances, the movie is extremely slow paced. And also, with the female patients we are supposed to feel remorse for them and to have empathy for them...the only time we are shown male patients they are villified. I actually don't think this is fair and we should be given more of an insight there as well.

Professional Jayne Mansfield fanatic/lover™ since 1980.

[–] Rand-o 17 years ago

I'm pretty sure Lorna was raped, but, like almost everything else about this rather poorly done film, it's glossed over and made unclear. I think the film is shallow on just about every level, which is shame considering all the potential there for a really good film.

We're desperate, get used to it. It's kiss or kill...

[–] OhmsLaw 17 years ago

I agree that this film could have been a lot better,with that cast. What I noticed was what seemed like heavy(and bad) editing through out the entire film. How else to explain the Polly Bergen character being what looked like a victim of a gang rape,yet she seemed fine afterwards. As messed up as her character was,she would NOT be "OK" after something like that,yet it isn't explained what actually happened. There were many other scenes like that so the movie was a disappointment.

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] shandy8 16 years ago

I hadn't seen this picture for years before seeing it on television recently, and I enjoyed it very much. I agree with you that sexual assault was implied. Also her reaction to her husband (when she tore her dress open) added to.

I didn 't find the pace slow, but I thought the ending was too abrupt. I really enjoyed Constance Ford's performance, and it was nice to see Ellen Corby in a picture with Joan again.

[–] singjohn 15 years ago

Even though Joan and Ellen had no scenes together? Anyone notice how JC never had any screen time with any of the bigger female names in the film? Polly? Janis?

[–] LadyJaneGrey 14 years ago

Well, if this movie followed the little-known-medical-cures-of-old regimen like The Story of Esther Costello (also a Crawford film), the rape would surely have cured Bergen's mental illness.

Am I anywhere near the imaginary cliff?

[–] Devinm1978 14 years ago

I agree about the film's overall shallowness and too-abrupt ending. Pity given its potential.