Roger Corman’s Foray into Women in Prison Films
In 1971, Roger Corman’s New World Pictures sought to capitalize on the success of the women in prison film 99 Women. Working with a low budget, they brought on director Jack Hill who, dissatisfied with the original script, hired Don Spencer to create a new screenplay that would inject more humor into what he considered a preposterous story. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our member bonus Roger Corman series with a conversation about The Big Doll House.
Prison Break: Exploring Power, Agency, and Exploitation
The film presents an interesting balance between exploitation elements and female empowerment. While it includes expected genre tropes like mud wrestling and torture scenes, it also subverts expectations by putting men in subservient positions. We discuss how Jack Hill manages to smuggle bigger ideas about institutional corruption and colonial impacts under the guise of spectacle and genre conventions.
Behind Bars: Production and Performance
- Pam Grier and Sid Haig deliver standout performances that elevate the material
- The film’s use of humor helps offset some of the more exploitative elements
- Shot back-to-back with other prison films in the Philippines to maximize efficiency
- Interesting character dynamics between the six main prisoners
- The film’s ending strikes a lighter tone compared to similar genre entries
Throughout our discussion, we explore how The Big Doll House fits into both Corman’s broader production approach and Hill’s filmography. While Andy prefers the more serious tone found in Women in Cages, Pete finds more value in this film’s lighter touch. Despite its exploitation roots, the film manages to deliver entertainment value while sneaking in something of a commentary on power dynamics and institutional corruption. We have a great time talking about it, so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!
Film Sundries
- Watch this on Apple or Amazon, or find other places at Letterboxd
- Theatrical trailer
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