The Bad Seed -- 1956 (Full Version)

[Sonya]

I thought I had seen this film ages ago (probably the remake, i was not overly impressed) however I just watched the original and LOVED IT.

This is NOT gore, not horror, there are absolutely no graphic scenes, but the storyline and writing is fantastic. It is about a sweet little girl that is also a sociopathic killer. This film was light-years before its time in so many ways.

Witty dialogue, great characters, overall brilliant film. The best part is the whole premise, that sociopaths are born that way, and not a product of environment. The most recent studies confirm this is true, it is genetic. This writer, William March, was obviously a brilliant man.

The grandmother mentioned in this story (revealed halfway through as an infamous serial killer) was actually based on Belle Gunness.

For those that enjoy quality dialogue and excellent acting, if you have not seen this film you should watch it. It is truly a classic with a complexity rarely found in 50's films (the characters are multidimensional).

Full film can be watched here:

http://www.fanpop.com/spots/horror-m...ed-full-movie#

[Battlerange]

It really is a great, extremely unusual movie. I first saw it when I was eight years old back in the early 1960's. I find the relationship between the quasi-pedophile Leroy and Rhoda to be extremely twisted and perverse.

[Sonya]

Originally Posted by Battlerange

It really is a great, extremely unusual movie. I first saw it when I was eight years old back in the early 1960's. I find the relationship between the quasi-pedophile Leroy and Rhoda to be extremely twisted and perverse.

You thought he was a pedophile?

Leroy was a sociopath, he engaged her, messed with her, because he recognized what she was, though sadly he underestimated her intelligence. In fact he was actually warning her, looking out for her though he wasn't sure if she did it (he kept talking about blood traces/evidence on the murder weapon, and how she had to be sure she got rid of it, else the authorities would discover it, is that something a pedophile would say?).

I liked that interaction, I didn't sense anything sexual about it, I thought it seemed believable (sociopaths do recognize one another, and there is often an attraction).

Rhoda: "They don't put little girls in the electric chair!"

Leroy: "They got a little blue chair for little boys...
and a little pink chair for little girls."

LOL.

[Gogo]

Nice one Sonya, this film has been a staple in my collection forever.
Speaking of ol' Leroy, it's funny to note the movies was directed by Mervyn LeRoy.
One of my fav characters is Aunt Monica, she is so over the top.
And what a stellar performance by Eileen Heckart as Hortense Daigle, the drowned little boy's mother.

"What will you give me for a basket full of kisses....a basket full of hugs"?

[Sonya]

Glad you agree Gogo.

The film is brilliant. The ending scene, where Rhoda carefully pulls the covers over her doll, to keep her precious doll warm, it says so much. Very rarely are books/original thoughts transmitted so faithfully onto the screen.

Though the producers did make one significant change, I believe the original story reversed the survival roles.

[Gogo]

So true...and I had heard there was an alternative ending filmed, but audiences booed and wanted the brat dead! lol.

[Kopfschuss]

Haven't seen this yet thanks Sonya

[xsuzie]

WHAT A GREAT FILM!!
sorry for the caps. the only thing i didn't like was the mother's voice when she said,"Rhodaaa!"