Girls in Distress
Somewhat reminiscent of 'Mädchen in Uniform' (1931), the story is set in a private girl's school, populated almost exclusively by children from broken homes. Among the few students who can claim family stability is Micheline Presle, but even her happiness is threatened when her lawyer father Andre Luguet inaugurates an affair with stage actress Jacqueline Debulac. With the help of Debulac's daughter Louisa Carletti, Presle is able to break up her father's romance and deliver him into the open arms of her mother Marcelle Chantal.
Insights
Plot Summary
This exploitation film follows the plight of young women lured into a life of crime and poverty. A detective works to uncover the truth behind their disappearances and the dark secrets of a local reformatory.
Critical Reception
As an exploitation film from the era, 'Girls in Distress' was not widely reviewed by mainstream critics. Its primary audience was those seeking sensationalist content, and its critical reception was generally lukewarm to negative, focusing on its melodramatic plot and low production values.
What Reviewers Say
- Often criticized for its sensationalist approach and melodramatic storytelling.
- While intended to be cautionary, its depiction of social issues is seen as heavy-handed.
- Considered a typical example of low-budget exploitation cinema of the late 1930s.
Google audience: Information on Google user reviews for this specific film is not readily available.
Fun Fact
This film is notable for its inclusion in the book 'The Exploitation Manual' by film historian David F. Friedman, which cataloged and analyzed many such films from the period.
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