Streaming on HBO Max | imdb | trailer
Elia Kazan was a big deal director with stone cold classic credits including On the Waterfront, A Face in the Crowd, and A Streetcar Named Desire among others. For some reason he decided to use his skills to make this very uncomfortable movie. Well, it was very uncomfortable back when it came out. Time Magazine called it the “dirtiest American-made motion picture that had ever been legally exhibited.”, By the late ‘60s it must have seemed ridiculously tame. The funny thing is that now in 2026, I think it’s back to being pretty damned uncomfortable again. The premise is that a beautiful but simple-minded teen bride is attracted to a manipulative businessman and trouble ensues. Sounds pretty quaint right? Yeah, well, I first heard about this movie from John Waters if that puts things in perspective. The important thing is that this is a very well made movie and every actor is excellent in it. Check out Baby Doll and judge for yourself. I found it to be funny, entertaining, and… kinda uncomfortable.
Available on Blu-ray from Warner Archives
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