THE GLASS CAGE

John Hoyt

THE GLASS CAGE (1964) Writer-director: Antonio Santean.

The police are called when Ellen (Arlene Martel appearing as Arline Sax) shoots a burglar who has, according to her, burst into her apartment. Responding to the call are Lt. Max Westerman (John Hoyt) and Sgt. Jeff Bradley (Bob Kelljan). Jeff develops a romantic yet for Ellen, but has very different emotions towards Ellen's haughty and much more sophisticated twin sister, Ruth. Jeff finds out that Ruth was actually dating the victim, and fears that Ellen is covering up for her sister.  Jeff begins dating Ellen but may get an unpleasant surprise or two even as Ellen fends off advances from an overly amorous neighbor, artist Tox Milner (King Moody). 

Arlene Martel

The Glass Cage offered a rare starring role for actor John Hoyt -- who was also co-screenwriter and co-executive producer -- but his part still amounts to support for Martel and Kelljan. In this he is his fine and usual kind of dyspeptic self. Kelljan, who later became a director, overacts a bit as the love-smitten Jeff, but Martel -- best known for playing Spock's Vulcan bride on Star Trek -- successfully and effectively limns two separate characterizations as identical twin sisters. King Moody offers a terrific performance as the intense and menacing Milner, and Elisha Cook shows up for a few moments as the twins' abusive father. The low-budget and rather lurid production has a modicum of style but gets too artsy fartsy for its own good and there are some minor plot holes as well. The twist at the end will not surprise anyone. This was the only directorial credit for Santean, who did three other screenplays. 

Verdict: Oddball B movie with some very good performances. **1/2.