This is not just one of those shabby Ulmer films shot in a few days for efficient distribution, but this is actually an interesting social drama. He was usually ahead of his time, and few had ever before made films out of a penitentiary for women. Now this is not just any penitentiary, but it is actually run for profit by a gangster syndicate led by 'Johnny Moon', who is notorious for getting away with any kind of murder - when a girl bores him he just dumps her off. This has apparently happened a number of times even before the film begins, which starts off with a trial in which he is acquitted, which the judge strongly objects against, but he can do nothing further. However, the police are on the trail, and when subsequent additional murders follow, the mistake is finally committed that one of the murder victims survive. He is the real jewel of the film, a loyal bureaucrat who starts drinking and develops a most unexpected new character. Ulmer's direction is solid, and as usual in his films the music is excellent all the way. It's a great thriller of a small size, but the concentration of the action and dialog make it quite worth while following carefully. On top, there is a great final scene of a manhunt chase on top of the skyscrapers - which could have given Hitchcock some idea.
Review of Girls in Chains
