The Big Doll House (1971)

The Big Doll House poster

New World Pictures
Starring:
 Judy Brown, Pam Grier, Gina Stuart
Directed by: Jack Hill

Cat Out of the Bag Alert!  This review contains some spoilers for this film!

Synopsis: Sexploitation thriller about a group of female prisoners who plan an escape from the ruthless Philippine compound in which they are incarcerated.

Featured Feline: One of the prisoners is named Ferina (Gina Stuart) and she is usually seen with a mostly white multi-colored female cat who lies on Ferina’s bunk while being petted.

The Big Doll House - Ferina Gina Stuart on jail bunk with white and colored cat

In the scene where new prisoner Collier (Judy Brown) first enters the jail cell and meets her fellow prisoners, Ferina climbs down off her bunk and says her cat wants to talk to Collier to tell her that the night holds many surprises.

The Big Doll House - Ferina Gina Stuart holds white and colored cat up to Collier Judy Brown

The cat is in the background of most of the scenes in the jail cell.

The Big Doll House - Ferina Gina Stuart on jail bunk with white and colored cat next to Bodine Pat Woodell

The Big Doll House - Ferina Gina Stuart on jail bunk with white and colored cat and other prisoners

The Big Doll House - Ferina Gina Stuart in background on jail bunk with white and colored cat

Later when the women have planned their escape, Grear (Pam Grier) and Harrad (Brooke Mills) are the only ones left in the cell. Grear is busy tying something around the cat as Harrad complains in a drug-deprived rant.

The Big Doll House - Grear Pam Grier tying pouch onto white and colored cat

The Big Doll House - Grear Pam Grier yelling with white and colored cat on bunk

Grear finishes attaching a little pouch to the cat and lets her out through the bars of the window.

The Big Doll House - Grear Pam Grier holding white and colored cat in front of barred window

The Big Doll House - Grear Pam Grier pushing white and colored cat through barred window

The cat somehow manages to make her way to a steam room where Ferina and the others are being held. They make use of the items in the pouch to escape.

The Big Doll House - Ferina Gina Stuart pulls white and colored cat from vent in steam room

The Big Doll House - Ferina Gina Stuart and girls untie pouch from white and colored cat in steam room

During the escape the cat is seen running along a corridor.

The Big Doll House - women and cat escaping from prison animated gif

Once outside the women commandeer a truck and force the men who come to the prison to sell them items to ram the gate. As the truck backs up and comes to a sudden stop, the cat is jostled in Ferina’s arms and then jumps out of the truck.

The Big Doll House - Ferina Gina Stuart and white and colored cat in back of truck

Ferina runs after the cat and is shot down by the guards. The cat apparently manages to escape.

The Big Doll House - Ferina Gina Stuart chasing after white and colored cat across prison yard

The Big Doll House - Ferina Gina Stuart chases cat who jumps out of truck and she gets shot animated gif

Kitty Cameo:  In one scene Ferina also has a little black kitten. This cat is not seen again.

The Big Doll House - Ferina Gina Stuart with black kitten and white and colored cat on bunk

The Big Doll House - Ferina Gina Stuart with black kitten and white and colored cat on bunk beside Grear Pam Grier

Final Mewsings: Cat lovers will always put their cat’s safety above their own.

Many thanks to Nick Wale for letting us know about the cats in this film!


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