CAUGHT

US, 1949, 88 minutes, Black and white.
James Mason, Barbara Bel Geddes, Robert Ryan.
Directed by Max Ophuls.

Caught is one of the American films by French director Max Ophuls. It is a melodrama, made at the same time as his films The Reckless Moment and Letters from an Unknown Woman. James Mason, the star of The Reckless Moment, appears also in this film. It is one of his earliest American films.

The film is a melodrama as well as a symbolic exploration of the American dream – becoming a nightmare.

1. The significance of the title, its references to each character? Significance of themes?

2. The black and white photography, the style of the 40s, Max Ophuls as a classic director, his style?

3. The impact of the film as melodrama? plot, characterisation, the crises, the credibility of the ingredients?

4. The impact of the film as a symbol of American society?

5. The film’s focus on Leanora: symbol of American dreams, nature of her dreams, girlish, the Dorothy Dale school and its style, his saving money, changing her name, rehearsing for success, her modelling? The ingredients of the American dream manifested in Leonora?

6. The fairytale nature of the marriage? The chance encounter, hero worship. the goal of money. newspaper headlines, long Island sight?

7. Transition from dream to nightmare and the effect on Leanora? Comment on the visual symbols of Smith's growing hatred? The clashing of the party and the showing of the film?

8. The paranoia of Smith? part also of the American dream? The psychiatrist, psychosomatic illness, money, power, the capacity to hurt? Smith's power to do what he liked?

9. How credible was the clash and its presentation? The nature of love turned to hate?

10. The contrast of Larry? How was he compared with Smith? Values, work, poverty, kindness?

11. The film’s presentation of Long Island versus Harlem? The people, work, challenge? Leonora’s entry into this world and its effect on her?

12. The seeking of true happiness? Leonora and Larry? Leonora’s self-sacrifice and change of attitudes? The proposal?

13. The final clashes and their visualisation? A triangle of love and hatred? The American dream leading to violence?

14. How satisfying was the solution? Appropriately optimistic? The impact of the total film?