Chained for Life

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Chained for Life is a 1951 exploitation film featuring the Hilton Twins, Daisy and Violet. It features several vaudeville acts, including juggler Whitey Roberts, a man doing bicycle stunts, and a man who plays The William Tell Overture at breakneck speed on an accordion.

The movie incorporates aspects of the twins' real life, including their singing act, a futile attempt by one sister to obtain a marriage license, and a publicity-stunt marriage.

The twins' sweet but unspectacular voices are featured in three duets, including "Every Hour of Every Day" and "Love Thief".

The movie was directed by Harry L. Fraser, marking a low point in an otherwise respectable career working with such stars as John Wayne, Clara Bow, and Tex Ritter.

[edit] Plot summary

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

The movie opens with a judge (Norval Mitchell) begging the audience for help in resolving a terrible dilemma. The action moves to a courtroom, where Vivian Hamilton is on trial for her life for the shooting death of her sister's lover. The story unfolds in flashback as various characters are called to testify.

Conjoined twins Dorothy and Vivian Hamilton (Daisy and Violet Hilton) have a successful vaudeville singing act, but their manager Hinkley (Allen Jenkins) thinks a publicity stunt will launch their career into the stratosphere. He pays stunt shooter Andre Pariseau (Mario Laval) to fake a romance with one of the twins. Vivian, the brunette, dislikes Andre and wants nothing to do with the scheme, but Dorothy, the blonde, quips that she's too old to turn down a chance at love, and agrees to serve as Andre's love interest.

The ploy works spectacularly, with "the girls" singing for standing room only crowds. But much to Vivian's dismay, Dorothy actually falls in love with the scheming Andre, who is only stringing her along. He is secretly involved with his shooting-act partner, Renee (Patricia Wright).

Andre proposes marriage, but the couple are unable to obtain a marriage license due to allegations that the marriage would constitute bigamy. A desperate Dorothy convinces Vivian to seek separation surgery, even at the risk of their lives, so that she can pursue her dreams of love. Doctors, however, inform the women that such surgery is impossible. But, the doctors stress, there is no physical reason that Dorothy can't marry.

Somehow, due to a consultation with a blind minister, Dorothy and Andre are able to obtain their marriage license. The wedding ceremony is performed on-stage before an audience of dignitaries including the mayor.

But the very next day, Andre jilts Dorothy, claiming that he could not adjust to life as the husband of a conjoined twin. Vivian knows better, though, because she sees Andre and Renee kissing passionately. Her suspicions of Andre are confirmed. Vivian is outraged that her beloved sister was so mistreated.

During Andre's shooting performance, Vivian seizes one of Andre's guns and shoots him dead before a horrified audience.

The film returns to the judge, who can not decide how to dispose of the case. Justice for Andre requires that his murderer, Vivian, be executed. But this would cost the life of the innocent Dorothy, denying justice to her. The film ends with a plea for the viewer to resolve the dilemma.