Chained for Life
Vivian Hamilton, conjoined at the lower spine with her sister and singing partner Dorothy, is on trial for the murder of Dorothy's ex-boyfriend, magician Andre Pariseau. As the sisters' friends and co…
Chained for Life
Vivian Hamilton, conjoined at the lower spine with her sister and singing partner Dorothy, is on trial for the murder of Dorothy's ex-boyfriend, magician Andre Pariseau. As the sisters' friends and colleagues take the stand to testify, the story of the murder unfolds: The Hamilton sisters are a popular singing act when their manager, Hinkley, convinces theater owner MacKenzie to back a publicity stunt in which the sisters will pretend to marry second-billed Andre. Andre, who is being paid handsomely for the stunt, sees that Vivian does not like him and so begins courting Dorothy in earnest. Forced to go along on the couple's dates, Vivian begins to quarrel with Andre, while at the same time Dorothy falls deeply in love. While the stunt attracts huge crowds to the theater, Andre makes Dorothy an apparently sincere marriage proposal and she happily consents. When Andre's onstage and offstage partner, Renee, grows jealous and confronts him, he confides that it is all just a plot to get more money out of Dorothy. To prove his point, he calls Dorothy and sings to her, kissing Renee while Dorothy dreamily says goodnight. That night, Dorothy dreams that she is separate from Vivian, dancing in a beautiful garden with Andre. She wakes crying and tells her twin that although she has had to bury her emotions all her life, she cannot deny her love now and wants to be free. Vivian is horrified by the thought of separating, but agrees to consult a doctor about an operation. Unfortunately, after extensive testing Dr. Thompson informs them that separating their spinal cords would be too risky, both physically and emotionally. Female doctor Ekhardt then urges Dorothy to marry and have children as she is, and although Dorothy agrees, they soon discover that most states will not allow her to marry Andre, calling it bigamy. They visit blind reverend Dr. Burnham, who believes that faith can overcome any barrier and promises to marry them in the eyes of God. Although Dorothy wants a church wedding, Andre arranges for the ceremony to take place after their show in a public service. As Burnham leads them through their vows, the packed audience titters. That night, Vivian looks away as Andre embraces Dorothy, but within days, he backs out of the marriage, declaring in the newspapers that he cannot go on with it. The sisters valiantly continue to perform, but Dorothy struggles with heartbreak. One night soon after, Vivian watches as Andre kisses Renee. He then begins to perform an act involving pistols, and when the cart with the guns on it rolls near Vivian, she picks one up and shoots him. Back in court, the prosecuting attorney demands the death sentence for this premeditated murder, but the defense attorney points out that to punish Vivian with death or life imprisonment would mean similarly punishing her innocent twin. He also states that they have been denied a normal life and it is only in their punishment that they are suddenly treated as normal citizens. Judge Mitchell deliberates for five days. On the sixth day, he finally declares that he cannot doom Dorothy for Vivian's behavior and must leave both sisters' punishment for a higher court to decide. As the Hiltons are cleared of the charges, the judge wonders if he made the right decision.
Chained for Life
Crime,Drama,Film-Noir
Film Details
Vivian Hamilton, conjoined at the lower spine with her sister and singing partner Dorothy, is on trial for the murder of Dorothy's ex-boyfriend, magician Andre Pariseau. As the sisters' friends and colleagues take the stand to testify, the story of the murder unfolds: The Hamilton sisters are a popular singing act when their manager, Hinkley, convinces theater owner MacKenzie to back a publicity stunt in which the sisters will pretend to marry second-billed Andre. Andre, who is being paid handsomely for the stunt, sees that Vivian does not like him and so begins courting Dorothy in earnest.
Forced to go along on the couple's dates, Vivian begins to quarrel with Andre, while at the same time Dorothy falls deeply in love. While the stunt attracts huge crowds to the theater, Andre makes Dorothy an apparently sincere marriage proposal and she happily consents. When Andre's onstage and offstage partner, Renee, grows jealous and confronts him, he confides that it is all just a plot to get more money out of Dorothy.
To prove his point, he calls Dorothy and sings to her, kissing Renee while Dorothy dreamily says goodnight. That night, Dorothy dreams that she is separate from Vivian, dancing in a beautiful garden with Andre. She wakes crying and tells her twin that although she has had to bury her emotions all her life, she cannot deny her love now and wants to be free.
Vivian is horrified by the thought of separating, but agrees to consult a doctor about an operation. Unfortunately, after extensive testing Dr. Thompson informs them that separating their spinal cords would be too risky, both physically and emotionally.
Female doctor Ekhardt then urges Dorothy to marry and have children as she is, and although Dorothy agrees, they soon discover that most states will not allow her to marry Andre, calling it bigamy. They visit blind reverend Dr. Burnham, who believes that faith can overcome any barrier and promises to marry them in the eyes of God.
Although Dorothy wants a church wedding, Andre arranges for the ceremony to take place after their show in a public service. As Burnham leads them through their vows, the packed audience titters. That night, Vivian looks away as Andre embraces Dorothy, but within days, he backs out of the marriage, declaring in the newspapers that he cannot go on with it.
The sisters valiantly continue to perform, but Dorothy struggles with heartbreak. One night soon after, Vivian watches as Andre kisses Renee. He then begins to perform an act involving pistols, and when the cart with the guns on it rolls near Vivian, she picks one up and shoots him.
Back in court, the prosecuting attorney demands the death sentence for this premeditated murder, but the defense attorney points out that to punish Vivian with death or life imprisonment would mean similarly punishing her innocent twin. He also states that they have been denied a normal life and it is only in their punishment that they are suddenly treated as normal citizens. Judge Mitchell deliberates for five days.
On the sixth day, he finally declares that he cannot doom Dorothy for Vivian's behavior and must leave both sisters' punishment for a higher court to decide. As the Hiltons are cleared of the charges, the judge wonders if he made the right decision..