Slaves in Bondage
Encyclopedia
Slaves in Bondage is an American film directed by Elmer Clifton
. It stars Lona Andre, Donald Reed, and Wheeler Oakman.
presented as a cautionary tale about the evils of white slavery prostitution rings operating in America's larger cities.
The film is typical of the many exploitation features of its time that claimed to warn the public about various kinds of shocking sin and depravity corrupting today's society. In reality, these films were cynical, profit-motivated vehicles that wallowed in lurid, taboo subjects such as drug abuse, promiscuous sex, venereal disease, polygamy, child marriages, etc. Some even included brief nude scenes such as Sex Madness
(1937), Marihuana (1936), and Assassin of Youth
(1937) — also directed by Elmer Clifton.
The film is loaded with scenes of scantily-clad prostitutes waiting for their next "appointment", performing risque dances or engaging in fetishistic entertainments for their clients. If for nothing else, this film is notable for being one of the first (if not the first) to depict certain fetishes as a sexual specialty. For example, Belle, the brothel madam, shows Dona her Oriental Room ("reserved for the exotic") where two masochistic, lingerie-clad women are grappling on a bed and taking turns spanking each other. There is also an eroticized "catfight" scene with energetic wresting, slapping, hair pulling, and tearing of clothes staged for the patrons' amusement.
Ed Carey, Martha Chapin, Donald Kerr, Eddie Laughton
, Sam Lufkin
, Murdock MacQuarrie
, Carl Mathews, Fred Parker, Henry Roquemore
, Lottie Smith and Arthur Thalasso
appears uncredited.
Elmer Clifton
Elmer Clifton, was an American writer, director, and actor from the early silent days. A collaborator of D. W. Griffith, he appeared in The Birth of a Nation and Intolerance before giving up acting in 1919 to concentrate on work behind the camera...
. It stars Lona Andre, Donald Reed, and Wheeler Oakman.
Production background
This is a low-budget, independently produced exploitation filmExploitation film
Exploitation film is a type of film that is promoted by "exploiting" often lurid subject matter. The term "exploitation" is common in film marketing, used for all types of films to mean promotion or advertising. These films then need something to exploit, such as a big star, special effects, sex,...
presented as a cautionary tale about the evils of white slavery prostitution rings operating in America's larger cities.
The film is typical of the many exploitation features of its time that claimed to warn the public about various kinds of shocking sin and depravity corrupting today's society. In reality, these films were cynical, profit-motivated vehicles that wallowed in lurid, taboo subjects such as drug abuse, promiscuous sex, venereal disease, polygamy, child marriages, etc. Some even included brief nude scenes such as Sex Madness
Sex Madness
Sex Madness is an exploitation film directed by Dwain Esper, along the lines of Reefer Madness, supposedly to warn teenagers and young adults of the dangers of venereal diseases, specifically syphilis....
(1937), Marihuana (1936), and Assassin of Youth
Assassin of Youth
Assassin of Youth is an exploitation film directed by Elmer Clifton. It is a pre-WWII movie about the supposed ill effects of cannabis. The movie is often considered a clone of the much more famous Reefer Madness...
(1937) — also directed by Elmer Clifton.
Plot summary
The story tells the tale of how naive country girls are lured to the big city with the promise of employment only to be abducted and forced to work as prostitutes in decadent, high-class brothels.The film is loaded with scenes of scantily-clad prostitutes waiting for their next "appointment", performing risque dances or engaging in fetishistic entertainments for their clients. If for nothing else, this film is notable for being one of the first (if not the first) to depict certain fetishes as a sexual specialty. For example, Belle, the brothel madam, shows Dona her Oriental Room ("reserved for the exotic") where two masochistic, lingerie-clad women are grappling on a bed and taking turns spanking each other. There is also an eroticized "catfight" scene with energetic wresting, slapping, hair pulling, and tearing of clothes staged for the patrons' amusement.
Cast
- Lona AndreLona AndreLona Andre was an American film actress.Born Launa Anderson in Nashville, Tennessee, Andre attracted attention with her first films in Hollywood and was named as one of the WAMPAS Baby Stars of 1932. After winning the Paramount Panther Woman Contest, she was signed to a movie contract by...
as Dona Lee - Donald ReedDonald ReedDonald Reed was a film actor, and later, Beverly Hills video consultant. He appeared in 47 films between 1925 and 1940...
as Phillip Miller - Wheeler OakmanWheeler OakmanWheeler Oakman was an American film actor.Usually appearing as a henchman in films, rarely a leading role, he appeared in over 280 films between 1912 and 1948....
as Jim Murray - Florence Dudley as Belle Harris
- John Merton as Nick Costello
- Richard CramerRichard CramerRichard Cramer , was an American actor in films from the late 1920s. Burly, menacing and gravel-voiced, Cramer specialized in villainous roles in many low-budget westerns, but is today best remembered for his several appearances with Laurel and Hardy. He also appeared with W. C...
as Dutch Hendricks - William Royle as Newspaper City Editor
- Edward Peil Sr.Edward Peil Sr.Edward Peil Sr. was an American film actor. He appeared in over 370 films between 1913 and 1951. He was born in Racine, Wisconsin, and died in Hollywood, California.-Selected filmography:...
as Detective Captain - Louise Small as Mary Lou Smith
- Matty Roubert as Good-Looking Freddie
- Suzanna Kim as Fan Dancer
Ed Carey, Martha Chapin, Donald Kerr, Eddie Laughton
Eddie Laughton
Eddie Laughton was a British-born American film actor. Born in Sheffield, West Riding of Yorkshire, England, Laughton appeared in over 200 films between 1935 and 1952.-Career:...
, Sam Lufkin
Sam Lufkin
Samuel "Sam" William Lufkin was an American actor who usually appeared in small or bit roles in short comedy films.-Career:Born in Utah, Lufkin spent most of his career at the Hal Roach Studios where he made over 60 films...
, Murdock MacQuarrie
Murdock MacQuarrie
Murdock MacQuarrie was an American silent film actor.Murdock began his long screen career as an actor in early films such as The Count of Monte Cristo before becoming a director at Universal.He was the brother of actors Albert MacQuarrie and Frank MacQuarrie.-1940s:* Silver City Raiders...
, Carl Mathews, Fred Parker, Henry Roquemore
Henry Roquemore
Henry Roquemore or Henry Rocquemore was an American character actor who primarily played bit parts. He appeared in 229 silent and sound films from 1927 until 1943...
, Lottie Smith and Arthur Thalasso
Arthur Thalasso
Arthur Thalasso was an American film actor. He appeared in 71 films between 1919 and 1945.He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and died in Los Angeles, California.-Selected filmography:...
appears uncredited.