The Bad Seed (movie)

The Bad Seed is a 1956 American horror movie. It has elements of film noir. This movie is based on the 1954 play of the same name.

Plot
On her piano, eight year old Rhoda Penmark (played by Patty McCormack) plays the French song "Au clair de la lune" while her father says his good-byes and goes on military duty. Rhoda is under the care of her mother Christine (Nancy Kelly). 

Rhoda begins as a well-behaved child. As the movie goes on, she shows her evil side. She commits murder, steals and sets fires. 

A lightning bolt during a rainstorm kills Rhoda instantly.

Cast

 Nancy Kelly as Christine Penmark
 Patty McCormack as Rhoda Penmark
 Henry Jones as Leroy Jessup
 Eileen Heckart as Hortense Daigle
 Evelyn Varden as Monica Breedlove
 William Hopper as Col. Kenneth Penmark

 Paul Fix as Richard Bravo
 Jesse White as Emory Wages
 Gage Clarke as Reginald 'Reggie' Tasker
 Joan Croydon as Claudia Fern (as Joan Croyden)
 Frank Cady as Henry Daigle

Reception
This was one of Warner Bros. biggest movies of the year. It took in $4.1 million in the American box office. It was also popular in the British box office. 

The movie was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Actress, Best Actress in a Supporting Role and Best Cinematography.

Remakes
The Bad Seed was remade for television in 1985 and 2018.

References

Other websites




Category:1950s horror movies
Category:1950s psychological movies
Category:1956 drama movies
Category:1950s American drama movies
Category:American horror movies
Category:Movies about murderers
Category:Movies about child death
Category:Movies directed by Mervyn LeRoy