Lady in a Cage is a 1964 American psychological thriller film directed by Walter Grauman, written and produced by Luther Davis, and starring Olivia de Havilland and James Caan.

When an electrical power failure occurs, Cornelia Hilyard (Olivia de Havilland), a wealthy widow recuperating from a broken hip, becomes trapped between floors in the cage-like elevator she has installed in her mansion.

With her son, Malcolm (William Swan), away for the Fourth of July weekend, she relies on the elevator's emergency alarm to attract attention, but the only response comes from an unsympathetic alcoholic derelict, George Brady (Jeff Corey), who steals some small items from the house.

The wino sells the stolen goods to a fence, Mr. Paul (Charles Seel), visits his hustler friend Sade (Ann Sothern), and tells her of the treasure trove he has stumbled upon.

The expensive goods George fences attract the attention of three young hoodlums, Randall O'Connell (James Caan), Elaine (Jennifer Billingsley) and Essie (Rafael Campos).

As the police arrive, Essie and Elaine attempt to flee in a car, but they crash into the electric box, which restarts the power in the house and the elevator descends to the floor.

The film is based on an original idea by Davis, when he was working on a play about the effects of a power outage on the inhabitants of a house in oil country in the Midwest.

Bosley Crowther wrote a special column in The New York Times criticising the film, calling it "reprehensible"[11] which led to a press controversy.

"[13] Variety said that there is "not a single redeeming character or characteristic" in the "vulgar screenplay", criticizing de Havilland's performance as Oscar bait and Caan's as a copy of Marlon Brando.

[18] Filmink magazine said "The film’s been reappraised in recent years, deservedly, as the tough, unusual thriller it is, even if it only has half an hour’s worth of plot if you’re honest about it.