In the book Leroy had a wife and kids , and was like the movie version , obviously a little slow - but he did have a thing for Rhoda. When he got home , he liked nothing better than thinking about her , and when he was at the house ribbing her and getting under her skin. He thought they were two of a kind.
Um Actually there was a remake. There was another Bad Seed movie made in the 1980s. The part of Rhoda was played by a brunette, and they made it more obvious that LeRoy had a thing for Christine. The novel is better than any of the movies or the play, much gorier. William March was mentally unstable when he wrote this story. In addition, there were two extension movies: Mommy and the sequel Mommy 2: Mommies Day featuring a grown up Rhoda. They never say her name, but they allude to it.
Henry Jones stole this movie. He was a great character actor. I think he was nominated for an academy award. So was Patty McCormick. Eileen Eckhart did win for her protrayal as the mother of the little boy who was murdered by Rhoda.
Henry Jones's Leroy is the only thing good about the movie--all the other actors are just terrible--the movie is so badly overacted that its funny. Jones should have gotten a oscar nod.
@windstorm1000 They weren't 'overacting' . All the film's major characters had performed "The Bad Seed" on the stage-they simply acted in the same way for the film version. And I disagree with your assessment-all the performers especially Patty McCormack' and Henry Jones were wonderful. Eileen Ekchart played the scenes of the drunken, grieving mother brilliantly.
@faeryquene You can't 'act' the same way for a film as you would for the stage. Any student of acting realizes that film acting is much more subtle than stage acting. That's where the cast got into trouble. The director should have toned down all their stage mannerisms!! Jones is the only one who sort of figures the acting difference and still makes it flamboyant and fun.
@windstorm1000 We'll have to just agree to disagree. That is how the director wanted the actors to perform-and it brought an almost camp dimension to the film that resonates to this day.
@windstorm1000 Mervyn Leroy knew exactly what he wanted with this film, including the acting style and the mostly non-cinematic camera work. He wanted to have the look of a play. I think the acting style is what keeps the film interesting after all these years.
I dont think leroy was a pedo.I do think if it was remade now he would have that added to his character.If the guy from Hostel remakes it I think it will be too gory and lose something .I prefer my imagination being peaked not body slammed.I should reserve comments about Leroy ,having never read the book.Wonder if it is online as an E BOOK?
I don't think Leroy is a pedophile either. I think he just saw through her facade and knew she wasn't "Mary Sunshine" as she portrays to be, but it turns out that he was very shocked that the little girl was so sinister.
@reesescupbrandy1 I don't think Leroy is a pedophile either. It would be to obvious to portray the poor, slovenly handy man that way. I agree with another poster that today he likely WOULD be portrayed that way which would ruin the dynamic between Rhoda and Leroy. He is very immature but no pedo. He's got Rhoda's number and when he figures out she really did murder the little boy-Rhoda got him good with the excelsior fire. They're almost like intellectual equals parrying back and forth!
I always got the sense that Leroy was kinda a pedo lol...creepy, almost as creepy as this sociopathic little witch! Great acting from everybody though
Well, i can see why the mother doesn't want him near her daughter...He's creepy. AND THAT LITTLE GIRL IS A GREAT ACTRESS! Jeesh, she may even be better than Dakota Fanning.
LOL! Listen to "Leroy" talking at 1:12-1:14. He talks so fast that he messes up the word gabbing and says "gabbling" when he saying his line, which is supposed to be: "...gab, gab, gabbing all the time--won't let anybody get in a word edge-wise." Now, try saying all this as fast as he does, and see if you can even say it without messing up. LOL!
There is a re-make n the works. Eli Roth (Hostel 1,2) will be at the helm. They could not kill off the child n this original version like they did in the play and book as there was a law in 1956 forbidding crime to pay in movies. But Eli's version will be worth watching.
We had this on video and found a way to watch it as a family so many times. I give Leroy credit for being so-called slow but very wise indeed. He's mean too and the suggestions he makes to Rhoda are funny since he doesn't know how close to the truth they are, and her being a murderer, but still a child, getting scared. Like about the stick with the blood...haha. Yes, the dialogue in this movie is pretty amazing....I guess it's part of the charm and thrill. Thanks :D
Why don't they replay movies like this? No, we get the same thing over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over. Oh well if you don't get it you never will.
My mother claimed when she this movie in 1956 that Leroy ran out of the cellar on fire after they got the door open. I've seen this movie on TV and VHS, yet I never saw that part. I told mom she was probably confusing it with another movie after all these years.
@mytvmemories It happens in this movie. He runs out either on fire or severely burned. We don't see it. It happens with sound. You hear them beating on the cellar door, and leroy running out screaming, and then you hear a flop.
Surprised there hasnt been a remake.But I guess if there isnt any blood in todays films its not going to get made.This is a scary movie and guess what... good dialogue
@rcknhrse Eli Roth has expressed interest in remaking the film, but he plans to exploit the story as much as possible, raising the body count, implementing gore and tons of blood and carnage. Sounds like a TERRIBLE idea to me. Sounds more like satire and less like a frightening film.
Just seeing Christine's eyes are she watches Leroy burn to death is more poignant than any actual image of the event!
brigitfey 3 weeks ago
Never trust a blond.
TheJedgeworth 3 months ago
I like how at 2:15 she gives a brief, evil smile. She is in control until he says "you can't wash blood off."
TheJedgeworth 3 months ago
"Rhoda" played Adrianna's Mom on The Sopranos
ualflygal 3 months ago
I'm smart and I'm mean
rcknhrse 3 months ago
One of the best scenes EVER! Thanks for posting! The duel between Rhoda and Leroy is just brilliant! One of my fave 'duos' on screen!
faeryquene 3 months ago
Stick bloodhounds!
greengreyeyes28 3 months ago
"Now take your excelsior down to the basement..." Boy, this sure is a talky scene. But compelling.
jaytlr9 4 months ago in playlist ƒιℓм: The Bad Seed (1956)
ty 4 that
rcknhrse 4 months ago
In the book Leroy had a wife and kids , and was like the movie version , obviously a little slow - but he did have a thing for Rhoda. When he got home , he liked nothing better than thinking about her , and when he was at the house ribbing her and getting under her skin. He thought they were two of a kind.
peachaisno1 4 months ago
THANKS for the info,must read this novel now.
rcknhrse 5 months ago
Um Actually there was a remake. There was another Bad Seed movie made in the 1980s. The part of Rhoda was played by a brunette, and they made it more obvious that LeRoy had a thing for Christine. The novel is better than any of the movies or the play, much gorier. William March was mentally unstable when he wrote this story. In addition, there were two extension movies: Mommy and the sequel Mommy 2: Mommies Day featuring a grown up Rhoda. They never say her name, but they allude to it.
metaljournalist 5 months ago
I love these little intrigues.
EmpressJudge13 6 months ago
they could do it with Hailee Steinfeld. She'd be the remake queen
ajsapi 7 months ago
Henry Jones stole this movie. He was a great character actor. I think he was nominated for an academy award. So was Patty McCormick. Eileen Eckhart did win for her protrayal as the mother of the little boy who was murdered by Rhoda.
taypar11 7 months ago
Brilliant scene from a truly great film.
TheAltair4 7 months ago 2
Henry Jones's Leroy is the only thing good about the movie--all the other actors are just terrible--the movie is so badly overacted that its funny. Jones should have gotten a oscar nod.
windstorm1000 8 months ago
@windstorm1000 who are you? and how many accolades do you have, to make such a stmt? actually all of them were VERY GOOD!
TheWildswan69 7 months ago
@windstorm1000 They weren't 'overacting' . All the film's major characters had performed "The Bad Seed" on the stage-they simply acted in the same way for the film version. And I disagree with your assessment-all the performers especially Patty McCormack' and Henry Jones were wonderful. Eileen Ekchart played the scenes of the drunken, grieving mother brilliantly.
faeryquene 3 months ago
@faeryquene You can't 'act' the same way for a film as you would for the stage. Any student of acting realizes that film acting is much more subtle than stage acting. That's where the cast got into trouble. The director should have toned down all their stage mannerisms!! Jones is the only one who sort of figures the acting difference and still makes it flamboyant and fun.
windstorm1000 3 months ago
@windstorm1000 We'll have to just agree to disagree. That is how the director wanted the actors to perform-and it brought an almost camp dimension to the film that resonates to this day.
faeryquene 3 months ago
@windstorm1000 Mervyn Leroy knew exactly what he wanted with this film, including the acting style and the mostly non-cinematic camera work. He wanted to have the look of a play. I think the acting style is what keeps the film interesting after all these years.
expos73 2 months ago
4re those 4ctors in this movie 4llre4dy de4d ?
archerdeejay 9 months ago
You can wash and you can wash, but there is always some left.
paxout 10 months ago
@paxout With the advances in dna that's more and more possible. Someday they probably won't even be able to bleach blood away! :)
faeryquene 3 months ago
I dont think leroy was a pedo.I do think if it was remade now he would have that added to his character.If the guy from Hostel remakes it I think it will be too gory and lose something .I prefer my imagination being peaked not body slammed.I should reserve comments about Leroy ,having never read the book.Wonder if it is online as an E BOOK?
rcknhrse 10 months ago 2
@rcknhrse
I don't think Leroy is a pedophile either. I think he just saw through her facade and knew she wasn't "Mary Sunshine" as she portrays to be, but it turns out that he was very shocked that the little girl was so sinister.
reesescupbrandy1 5 months ago
@reesescupbrandy1 I don't think Leroy is a pedophile either. It would be to obvious to portray the poor, slovenly handy man that way. I agree with another poster that today he likely WOULD be portrayed that way which would ruin the dynamic between Rhoda and Leroy. He is very immature but no pedo. He's got Rhoda's number and when he figures out she really did murder the little boy-Rhoda got him good with the excelsior fire. They're almost like intellectual equals parrying back and forth!
faeryquene 3 months ago
they just dont make em like this anymore.
one of the best............give me my shooooooooooooooooooooes, love it
NYGHTCRUZER 10 months ago
People she can FEWL Like her momma lol I love it when he says that
IloveMichaeljsomuch3 10 months ago
I always got the sense that Leroy was kinda a pedo lol...creepy, almost as creepy as this sociopathic little witch! Great acting from everybody though
candysays69 10 months ago
REAL acting here
TSquared2001 10 months ago 2
fantastic acting . The finest acting from a female actress ever. such powerful development for a young girl ever . Bravo.
123demaio 11 months ago
@123demaio love Patty McCormack!
TheWildswan69 7 months ago
fantastic work
123demaio 11 months ago
Well, i can see why the mother doesn't want him near her daughter...He's creepy. AND THAT LITTLE GIRL IS A GREAT ACTRESS! Jeesh, she may even be better than Dakota Fanning.
ChubbyPanda101 11 months ago
LOL! Listen to "Leroy" talking at 1:12-1:14. He talks so fast that he messes up the word gabbing and says "gabbling" when he saying his line, which is supposed to be: "...gab, gab, gabbing all the time--won't let anybody get in a word edge-wise." Now, try saying all this as fast as he does, and see if you can even say it without messing up. LOL!
IwshIcldstrtover 11 months ago
There is a re-make n the works. Eli Roth (Hostel 1,2) will be at the helm. They could not kill off the child n this original version like they did in the play and book as there was a law in 1956 forbidding crime to pay in movies. But Eli's version will be worth watching.
hippyblood4 1 year ago
it wont be remade because these days nobody would have trouble believing an 8-yr old would kill, sadly.
joeharvard 1 year ago
We had this on video and found a way to watch it as a family so many times. I give Leroy credit for being so-called slow but very wise indeed. He's mean too and the suggestions he makes to Rhoda are funny since he doesn't know how close to the truth they are, and her being a murderer, but still a child, getting scared. Like about the stick with the blood...haha. Yes, the dialogue in this movie is pretty amazing....I guess it's part of the charm and thrill. Thanks :D
9876543217303 1 year ago
I love the old bat who was always calling people neurotic/psychotics and other names that meant nothing when put together....lol
ekocentric 1 year ago
Why don't they replay movies like this? No, we get the same thing over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over. Oh well if you don't get it you never will.
onebaud 1 year ago
More at IMDbPro » The Bad Seed (1956)
An ideal housewife begins to suspect her loving adolescent daughter may be a heartless killer.
The best acting I have ever seen. Thanks for posting this classic MOVIE!
marcutie 1 year ago
@marcutie And she's really not an adolescent yet-she's just a little girl.
faeryquene 3 months ago
Leroy is creepier than the kid. Paedo much?
Fronika 1 year ago
this is such a fantastic movie
LadyAltheaIsMe 1 year ago
My mother claimed when she this movie in 1956 that Leroy ran out of the cellar on fire after they got the door open. I've seen this movie on TV and VHS, yet I never saw that part. I told mom she was probably confusing it with another movie after all these years.
mytvmemories 1 year ago
@mytvmemories It happens in this movie. He runs out either on fire or severely burned. We don't see it. It happens with sound. You hear them beating on the cellar door, and leroy running out screaming, and then you hear a flop.
elbethere 1 year ago
I love this movie
reejuice2 1 year ago
The Bad Seed, this movie is awesome!
klyzn 1 year ago
Yeah movies dont have to have all that gore it gets to be too much,ellen page wouyld have been a good choice when she was young enough to do the part
rcknhrse 1 year ago 5
Surprised there hasnt been a remake.But I guess if there isnt any blood in todays films its not going to get made.This is a scary movie and guess what... good dialogue
rcknhrse 1 year ago 14
@rcknhrse Eli Roth has expressed interest in remaking the film, but he plans to exploit the story as much as possible, raising the body count, implementing gore and tons of blood and carnage. Sounds like a TERRIBLE idea to me. Sounds more like satire and less like a frightening film.
ShamusMacGuffin 1 year ago 15
@ShamusMacGuffin I hope that they don't show that new version to kids who have access to weapons or parents who have access to kids like this! lol
ekocentric 1 year ago
@rcknhrse There was a remake in 1985 or something. for tv. not as great as the original from what i hear.
ghale94 1 year ago
@rcknhrse Eli Roth is planning to remake this! We have to stop him!
TheObservantOne1 11 months ago
@TheObservantOne1 what? who the hell is that?
TheWildswan69 7 months ago
@TheWildswan69 You don't know? He's the heathen behind Cabin Fever and Hostel!
TheObservantOne1 7 months ago
@rcknhrse There was a 1985 remake of this that was made for television.
harriettewinslow 10 months ago
I love this movie. It is so screwed up. I like to quote Leroy's electric chair line randomly sometimes. I'd be a horrible babysitter...
PeanutButterZombie00 1 year ago
@PeanutButterZombie00 "They got a blue one for boys, and a pink one for girls"
rbjnla 1 year ago
That is one scary thought.I am feeling more and more like claude dagle every day
rcknhrse 1 year ago
great movie and to think this little girl grew up to become nancy pelosi!
billthestinker 1 year ago