Review of Girls in Prison

Sweet young songtress Aggie (an appealing portrayal by the adorable Missy Crider) gets sent to a harsh women's prison after being found guilty of a murder she didn't commit. Will Aggie be able to prove her innocence and avoid being killed by a hit girl while serving time in the joint? Director John McNaughton, working from a blithely silly script by Samuel Fuller and Christa Long, relates the entertainingly ridiculous story at a zippy pace, maintains an engaging tongue-in-cheek campy tone throughout, and offers an affectionately broad evocation of the 50's Red Scare era. Moreover, it's acted with zest by an enthusiastic cast: Bahni Turpin as the friendly Melba, Ione Skye as sensitive writer Carol, Miguel Sandoval as shrewd tough cop Lucky, Tom Towles as slimy corrupt guard Norman Stoneface, Jon Polito as irascible music executive Boss Johnson, and Raymond O'Connor as smarmy disc jockey Mickey Maven. However, it's Anne Heche who easily steals the whole show with her deliciously wicked portrayal of ruthless bitch Jennifer (and, yes, Anne does indeed bare her nice breasts in a shower scene). Jean de Segonzac's snazzy cinematography gives the picture a cool stylized look. Hummie Mann's robust score hits the stirring melodramatic spot. A kitschy blast.