Considering that the Production Code still held sway in Hollywood, forcing script compromises, CAGED is surprisingly frank for its time in its dialog and insinuations, leaving little doubt in the viewer's mind.
Today, of course, with no restrictions in effect, it would all be spelled out for us quite graphically, and, no doubt, much less effectively.
"In my case, self-absorption is completely justified."
Yes, the words "pregnant" and "prostitute" were uttered; very forward for 1950. Lesbianism could not be openly acknowledged, but there are plenty of butch characters, especially Hope Emerson and Betty Garde warns Eleanor Parker, "You stay in here too long you just don't think about guys anymore; you just get out of the habit." I think it was also suggested that the character played by Olive Dearing was imprisoned for performing abortions- she worked as a nurse and said they she didn't realize until it was too late the "dirty racket" her husband was in.
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I agree. The post-war 1950s were testing the boundaries of the production code.
Ribbons and detours meant nothing to me
Swaying our sympathies, pulling our strings...
Don't forget that things like lesbianism and prostitution could be shown in movies if they were shown to be socially unacceptable, if not downright horrible. I guess that applied to « pregnancy » as well !
shareThe Production Code also frowned on any subject matter critical of the government, police etc. Some films like this broke the rule, however,
shareYeah it’s not bad.
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