Captive Women

This article is about the 1952 film. For the 1992 film known as Captive Women in the Philippines, see Slumber Party Massacre III.

Captive Women
Directed byStuart Gilmore
Written byJack Pollexfen
Aubrey Wisberg
Produced byJack Pollexfen
Aubrey Wisberg
StarringRobert Clarke
Ron Randell
Margaret Field
Gloria Saunders
CinematographyPaul Ivano
Edited byFred R. Feitshans Jr.
Music byCharles Koff
Production
company
Albert Zugsmith Productions
Distributed byRKO Radio Pictures
Release date
  • October 10, 1952 (1952-10-10) (U.S.)[1]
Running time
64 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$85,000[2]

Captive Women (U.K. title 3000 A.D.[3]) is a 1952 American post-apocalyptic science-fiction film directed by Stuart Gilmore and starring Robert Clarke, Margaret Field and William Schallert. The plot concerns the effects of a nuclear war.

Plot

Long after a nuclear war, the last human survivors are divided into three tribes. Robert and Ruth are about to be married in the ruins of a post-apocalyptic New York City during a brief interlude in ongoing hostilities between their tribe, the Norms, and the Mutates, a rival tribe. The Mutates adhere to the tenets of the Bible, which is rejected by the Norms.

Raiders from a third tribe, the Upriver People, attack through the Hudson River Tunnel and capture Ruth and several other women because they desperately need fertile females. The Norms and Mutates must set aside their differences to rescue the women. The Upriver People are defeated and are trapped in the tunnel as it is flooded. The women are recovered, and there are improved prospects for more peaceful relations among the tribes.

Cast

Production

Producers Jack Pollexfen and Aubrey Wisberg had a deal to create three films at RKO Radio Pictures: Captive Women and two films that were later produced, Sword of Venus and Port Sinister.[2] Studio owner Howard Hughes insisted that Stuart Gilmore, one of Hughes' leading editors, should direct the film.[2] Robert Clarke later recalled:

[Gilmore] was lost. Completely. The poor man had tremendous problems; there were too many people in the cast, too many actors with no dialogue in the scenes, and the fact that they had over-extended themselves for special effects ... The whole film was ineffectual. Pollexfen and Wisberg were trying to make a better picture—sometimes, Hollywood thinks that if you spend more money, you make a better picture. Well, this is one instance where that didn’t happen. Gilmore was in over his head—he didn’t know directing, and l don’t think he ever did another picture because he got a bad taste in his mouth from this one.[4]

According to William Schallert, the film was rewritten during the shoot and the actors were required to constantly learn new parts.[5]

The film had working titles of 3000 AD[6] and 1000 Years from Now, but RKO wanted a more sensational title.[7] However, when the film was rereleased In 1956, it bore the title of 1000 Years from Now.[8]

Filming began on July 9, 1951.[9] The film's budget was approximately $85,000.[2]

Reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "This preposterous story contrives to be both childish and disagreeable. The action comprises scenes of flogging and torture, a sort of Sabine raid on the scantily dressed Norm women, much chasing to and fro of strangely costumed tribesmen armed with bows and arrows, and some 'uplift' dialogue – the Mutates have kept their faith in God, the Norms worship the Devil. The treatment is on a level more often found in the serials than in a feature film.[3]

Variety wrote: "Most of the acting is in the serial film tradition although Ron Randell occasionally shows himself as a first-rate actor, He is the hero. Both Margaret Field and Gloria Saunders partially make up in looks for what they lack in terp ability. Robert Clarke, Stuart Randall, Paula Dorety and Robert Bice head the large supporting cast. Stuart Gilmore's direction is standard for this type of pic. Sharp editing by Fred R. Feltshans keeps it from getting too far out of hand. Paul Ivano has contributed a good camera job."[10]

References

  1. ^ "Captive Women: Detail View". American Film Institute. Retrieved May 31, 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d Weaver, Tom (2000). Return of the B Science Fiction and Horror Heroes: The Mutant Melding of Two Volumes of Classic Interviews. McFarland. p. 278. ISBN 9780786407552.
  3. ^ a b "Captive Women". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 20 (228): 76. January 1, 1953. ProQuest 1305808940.
  4. ^ Weaver, Tom (December 1986). "Time Travelling Sun Demon". Fangoria. p. 56.
  5. ^ Weaver, Tom (November 1992). "Character Star". Starlog. No. 184. p. 59.
  6. ^ Lowe, Barry (2016). Atomic Blonde: The Films of Mamie Van Doren. McFarland. p. 31. ISBN 9780786482733.
  7. ^ "Variety (October 1952)". 1952.
  8. ^ Parla, Paul; Mitchell, Charles P. (2000). Screen Sirens Scream!: Interviews With 20 Actresses from Science Fiction, Horror, Film Noir and Mystery Movies, 1930s to 1960s. McFarland. p. 96. ISBN 0-7864-0701-8.
  9. ^ "Movieland Briefs". Los Angeles Times. July 9, 1951. p. 7, Part III.
  10. ^ "Captive Women". Variety. 188 (4): 22. October 1, 1952.
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