The Bad Seed
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Movie Reviews of The Bad Seed
Movie Review: Au Claire de la Lune---atic
Summary: 5 Stars
If you loved "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?," "Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte," and other films of the psychological/suspense genre, you'll love this one!
Rhoda Penmark (Patty McCormack) possesses the image of a porcelain doll one would spot at an antique store or road show, a pristine, prized possession anyone in the Eisenhower or Reagan dynasty would add to his/her collection (s) with pride and joy. She has the air of a normal, unspoiled child who engages in school and activities appropriate for an 8-year old girl. She and her parents exhibit the typical 1950's family image that's squeaky-clean and above reproach. Who could ask for a better child?
But, could Rhoda be shouldering a genetically conceived dark secret? Given Rhoda's seemingly impeccable social graces, academic excellence, and smiles, no one suspects anything sinister......except perhaps LeRoy the gardener (Henry Jones) who claims he could see through Rhoda. But after one of Rhoda's classmates mysteriously drowns, Christine, her mother (Nancy Kelly), notices strange behavior on the part of Rhoda. And to her horror, unearths a blocked childhood memory involving her biological mother. As maternal instincts would have it, this discovery whirls Christine into a panic and she suspects that Rhoda may have inherited sociopathic tendencies.
Follow Rhoda and be inebriated with her "basket full of kisses" for a "basket full of hugs".....that is if you don't dare challenge and cross her! She does not take "no" for an answer.....ever! (Certain disciplines may not be called for in our 21st century, but back then I would have liked to have given this kid a "basket full" of slaps upside her head!).
This film is a reflection of the rising tide of juvenile delinquency in the 1950's, a time we moderns of today think produced nice little cherubic Beaver Cleavers. But in any era, the sins of one generation get visited down to the third and I suppose the fourth; such has become a law of nature and is prophesied in the Bible.
Both actresses, McCormack and Kelly, attack their roles with a superb Gothic flair, and Evelyn Varden is magnificently talented in her role as the humorously garrulous landlady. Fans of the suspense thriller genre are sure to be kept glued to the screen to discover some Gothic shockers.
Movie Review: Angelic Devil...
Summary: 5 Stars
Little Rhoda Penmark will get what she wants at whatever cost, even if it means murder. And she has absolutely no qualms about it, either. All the while manipulating the various adolts around her, admiring her charming ways. A perfect little princess excelling in all she does, but when an unfortunate boy refuses to give her a medal she perceives as hers, he meets his fate beneath the waves at the pier, with strange crescent-shaped marks upon his hand and head.
While Colonel Penmark is away on military assignment, her mother as well as a simpleton janitor 'Leroy' are the first to see through her pleasant charade, suspecting her inclinations and true character. The boy's distraught and inebriated mother makes several disturbing appearances begging for any bit of personal information.
When writer Richard Bravo comes for a visit, he and Mr. Emory Wages have an intriguing discussion on criminology, yielding to an enlightening conversation with Mrs. Penmark about her familial origins, where secrets are revealed which places events into perspective. According to this definition, seems the 'bad seed' is a supremely selfish, disbalanced, sociopathic creature completely devoid of compassion or empathy whatsoever - a prototype of the criminal mind, and in this case, that of a little girl in pigtails, wherein the most disturbing element lies.
When her suspicions are confirmed by the immolation of Leroy along with some other clues, Mrs. Penmark decides to end it all in a truly disconsolate concluding scene.
The character of Rhoda Penmark* is considered so disturbing probably because her outward appearance seems the epitome of sweetness who even curtsies, with proper vocabulary and mannerisms, which betrays her true nature as a murderess.
[Also see the true crime case of Mary Bell]
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* Who probably inspired the "Elmira" character from Animaniacs.
Movie Review: nice little gem from the 50,s
Summary: 5 Stars
what on earth ever became of patty mccormack? while searching for her online i discoverd that she is in the sopranos playing adrianas mother. shes done a good amount of films in her carreer most of them unknown but this is easily her moment. how a child actor can be so convincing and sooooo evil is just incredible. this film from 1956 explores the idea of inherited evil passed on through genes from parent to child. ( frank norris presents this theme in MCTEAGUE a great novel ( see my review) that was made in to a great silent film GREED by eric von stroheim ( see my review on that too)more than 100 years ago. i understand the movie was based on a play that was based on a book and the movie is done in a play form. actors exit and enter almost on cue, the dialogue is LOUD AND CLEAR and filmed in good old black and white. the acting is excellent through out but little patty as the evil little child in pigtails clearly steals the show. the ending is hoaky as hell and i also understand not the original ending but because of the times a more "moral" ending was encouraged. no matter. just watching the tightly constructed scenes almost all of wich take place in one room will carry you. the murders are never seen only talked about off camera and told through dialogue. youll almost feel like your in a theatre watching a play. we learn a mystery as the story developes about a mother who discovers that her child is evil through and through only to find out from her own father that shes really someone elses child and she blames herself for her daughters evil crimes. i dont want to give away much but there are some suprises especially near the end. a unique little gem with good performances from all but the show is little patty mccormacks.Movie Review: Excellent but not complete
Summary: 5 Stars
After viewing the film and reading the reviews, I have concluded that the film is not as I remember oh so many years ago.
So far no one seems to remember that a few scenes were deleted such as:
1. The scene which Rhoda's mother reference about the crystal ball that was given her was in the original. There was a scene that showed Rhoda tying a rope across the top of a staircase and the old lady fell down and broke her neck.
2. The scene when Rhoda actually tried to take the medal from Claude Dagel. When he wouldn't give it to her she took off her shoe and threaten to hit him with it.
As he backed up to the edge of the pier she hit him in the forehead with the heel of her shoe and he fell off the pier but he managed to hold onto the pier floorboards with his hands.
While he was holding on for dear life, Rhoda snatched the medal from his shirt and then took her shoe and proceded to hit him on the hands until he finally let go and drown.
3. When Leroy the janitor/maintenance man convinced Rhoda that he knew she beated the youngster with her shoes in that explosive display of anger, she finally told her mother about the shoes and either her mother or Rhoda or Rhoda and her mother together threw the shoes down the incinerator.
I don't know why these powerful and explosive scenes were deleted; perhaps they were destroyed on the old original film due to time. I am sure they would have fitted on the VHS or DVD format.
Nonetheless, I have thoroughly enjoyed the film twice, however until I can find and view the missing scenes I afraid my experience with the film will be incomplete.
Movie Review: The Bad Seed
Summary: 5 Stars
Young Rhoda appears to be quite the little lady, with high marks in school and perfect manners, but Rhoda has been very, very naughty... When one of Rhoda's classmates is killed in an unfortunate drowning accident, Christine Penmark begins to suspect that her jealous daughter might have had something to do with it. Soon, she learns that this might not have been the first time that Rhoda was responsible for murder, nor would it be the last...
THE BAD SEED, adapted from the novel by William March, explores the concept of nature versus nurture through the terrifying tale of a child murderer and her submissive mother. It attempts to play both sides of the coin, though it would seem that the final conclusion is that Rhoda has a genetic disposition that forces her to kill. The lack of a central father figure due Mr. Penmark's involvement in the military might also suggest the latter argument. THE BAD SEED would be nominated for four Academy Awards, both for the superb cinematography and for the incredible performances by the leading and supporting cast members. Nancy Kelly is brilliant as the distraught Christine Penmark, whose fear and paranoia creep off the screen. She is joined by Patty McCormack in an unforgettable performance as the manipulative Rhoda. McCormack transforms from a starry-eyed little angel into a tumultuous devil in seconds. Although it would be slightly altered for the screen, THE BAD SEED also features a shocking ending that remains just as effective over half a century after its release. Mervyn LeRoy's chilling classic is a masterful character drama and a must-see for all Horror fans!
-Carl Manes
I Like Horror Movies