The Big Bird Cage
Encyclopedia
The Big Bird Cage is a 1972 exploitation film
of the "women in prison" subgenre. It serves as a non-sequel follow-up to the 1971 film The Big Doll House
. The film was written and directed by Jack Hill
, and stars Pam Grier
, Sid Haig
, Anitra Ford
, and Carol Speed
.
) is the rough-and-ready girlfriend of a radical guerrilla leader named Django (Sid Haig
). But when Django's mercenary friends itch for some female companionship, they devise a plan to liberate the inmates of a local women's prison. With the help of another new inmate (Anitra Ford
), Blossom and Django go up against a tyrannical warden (Andrés Centenera
) to stage an explosive breakout.
Exploitation 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,...
of the "women in prison" subgenre. It serves as a non-sequel follow-up to the 1971 film The Big Doll House
The Big Doll House
The Big Doll House is a 1971 women in prison film starring Pam Grier, Judy Brown, Roberta Collins, Brooke Mills, and Pat Woodell. The film follows six female inmates throughout daily life in a gritty, unidentified supra-tropical prison...
. The film was written and directed by Jack Hill
Jack Hill
Jack Hill is an U.S. film director, noted for his work in the exploitation film genre. Despite this, several of Hill's later films have been characterized as feminist works.Hill was born in Los Angeles...
, and stars Pam Grier
Pam Grier
Pamela Suzette "Pam" Grier is an American actress. She became famous in the early 1970s, after starring in a string of moderately successful women in prison and blaxploitation films such as 1974's Foxy Brown. Her career was revitalized in 1997 after her appearance in Quentin Tarantino's film...
, Sid Haig
Sid Haig
Sid Haig is a American actor. His roles have included acting in Jack Hill's blaxploitation films of the 1970s as well as his role as Captain Spaulding in Rob Zombie's horror films House of 1000 Corpses and The Devil's Rejects...
, Anitra Ford
Anitra Ford
Anitra Ford is an American actress.Ford was born in California. She was a model on The Price Is Right from its beginning in 1972 until the last days of 1976. She was replaced by Holly Hallstrom...
, and Carol Speed
Carol Speed
Carol Speed is an African-American actress best known for her roles in blaxploitation films of the 1970s . She has appeared in 16 films since 1970...
.
Plot
A buxom bad girl named Blossom (Pam GrierPam Grier
Pamela Suzette "Pam" Grier is an American actress. She became famous in the early 1970s, after starring in a string of moderately successful women in prison and blaxploitation films such as 1974's Foxy Brown. Her career was revitalized in 1997 after her appearance in Quentin Tarantino's film...
) is the rough-and-ready girlfriend of a radical guerrilla leader named Django (Sid Haig
Sid Haig
Sid Haig is a American actor. His roles have included acting in Jack Hill's blaxploitation films of the 1970s as well as his role as Captain Spaulding in Rob Zombie's horror films House of 1000 Corpses and The Devil's Rejects...
). But when Django's mercenary friends itch for some female companionship, they devise a plan to liberate the inmates of a local women's prison. With the help of another new inmate (Anitra Ford
Anitra Ford
Anitra Ford is an American actress.Ford was born in California. She was a model on The Price Is Right from its beginning in 1972 until the last days of 1976. She was replaced by Holly Hallstrom...
), Blossom and Django go up against a tyrannical warden (Andrés Centenera
Andrés Centenera
Andrés Centenera is a Filipino prewar character actor. He is the grandfather of famous Filipino singer Rafael Centenera. He continued to appear in movies up to the 1980s....
) to stage an explosive breakout.
Cast
- Pam GrierPam GrierPamela Suzette "Pam" Grier is an American actress. She became famous in the early 1970s, after starring in a string of moderately successful women in prison and blaxploitation films such as 1974's Foxy Brown. Her career was revitalized in 1997 after her appearance in Quentin Tarantino's film...
as Blossom - Sid HaigSid HaigSid Haig is a American actor. His roles have included acting in Jack Hill's blaxploitation films of the 1970s as well as his role as Captain Spaulding in Rob Zombie's horror films House of 1000 Corpses and The Devil's Rejects...
as Django - Anitra FordAnitra FordAnitra Ford is an American actress.Ford was born in California. She was a model on The Price Is Right from its beginning in 1972 until the last days of 1976. She was replaced by Holly Hallstrom...
as Terry - Candice Roman as Carla
- Teda Bracci as Bull Jones
- Carol SpeedCarol SpeedCarol Speed is an African-American actress best known for her roles in blaxploitation films of the 1970s . She has appeared in 16 films since 1970...
as Mickie - Karen McKevic as Karen