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Crime Cult Classic

Naive country girls face danger in a city where beauty salons double as recruiting grounds for a criminal underworld.

SLAVES IN BONDAGE

Society Beauties by Day! Party Girls by Night!

1937 · 1h 10m · NR · Crime / Drama · IMDB TMDB

The film tells the tale of how naive country girls are lured to the big city with the promise of employment only to be abducted and forced to work as prostitutes in decadent, high-class brothels.

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Quick Answer

What is Slaves in Bondage about?

Slaves in Bondage is a 1937 American crime drama film directed by Elmer Clifton about naive country girls lured to the city and forced into prostitution by a criminal racket.

Programmer's Pick

Slaves in Bondage isn’t shy about exposing the seamier side of pre-war city life, right down to beauty salons doubling as recruitment hubs for vice. Between jealous gangsters, undercover crusaders, and more lingerie than your average Depression-era flick, this is exploitation with a cautionary snarl.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Set against the backdrop of a corrupt city, Slaves in Bondage exposes the grim world of human trafficking and exploitation. The story follows Mary Lou, who narrowly escapes abduction by a prostitution ring and alerts the authorities to a notorious roadhouse run by criminals. The racket operates out of a beauty salon, where unscrupulous owners Jim Murray and Belle Harris recruit unsuspecting women for their illicit operations. As Dona Lee, an employee at the salon, finds herself entangled between her feelings for an ambitious reporter and the jealousy of her dangerous boss, she begins to unravel the extent of the criminal enterprise. The film blends crime drama with exploitation elements, shining a harsh light on the dangers faced by vulnerable young women.

Details & Specs

Director
Elmer Clifton
Writer
Robert Dillon
Release
1937
Runtime
1h 10m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
Genres
Crime, Drama
Also Known As
Crusade Against Rackets

Cast & Crew

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Director: Elmer Clifton Writer: Robert Dillon
Lona Andre Lona Andre Dona Lee Donald Reed Donald Reed Phillip Miller Wheeler Oakman Wheeler Oakman Jim Murray Florence Dudley Florence Dudley Belle Harris John Merton John Merton Nick Costello Richard Cramer Richard Cramer Dutch Hendricks William Royle William Royle Newspaper City Editor Edward Peil Sr. Edward Peil Sr. Detective Captain LS Louise Small Mary Lou Smith Matty Roubert Matty Roubert Good-Looking Freddie SK Suzanna Kim Suzanna Kim (Exotic dancer)

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Why Cult

Beauty Parlor Racket

Watch as a seemingly respectable beauty shop operates as a front for recruiting young women into a citywide prostitution ring.

Exploitation Exposé

This film pulls back the curtain on the methods used to lure naive girls from the countryside into dangerous urban underworlds.

Salacious Sideshow

Expect fan dancers, acrobats, and exotic performances as part of the roadhouse’s decadent entertainment circuit.

Dangerous Romance

Dona Lee’s budding relationship with a reporter is threatened by a jealous gangster boss, adding personal stakes to the crime drama.

Scene Gallery

Threat File

Trigger

Naive girls lured to city for jobs

Threat

Prostitution ring operated by gangsters

Effect

Young women abducted and forced into brothels

Setting

Beauty salon and roadhouse circuit

Questions from the Vault

When was Slaves in Bondage released? +

Slaves in Bondage was released in 1937.

Who directed Slaves in Bondage? +

Slaves in Bondage was directed by Elmer Clifton.

How long is Slaves in Bondage? +

Slaves in Bondage has a runtime of 70 minutes.

What genre is Slaves in Bondage? +

Slaves in Bondage is a crime drama.

Where can I watch Slaves in Bondage? +

Slaves in Bondage is available to stream on SassyFlix.

Trailers & Clips

Slaves in Bondage trailer
Official Trailer
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