Review of Baby Doll (1956) by Kevin S — 27 Jul 2008
A little-known Tennesse Williams classic that was considered wildly racy when it first came out and was condemned by the Catholic League of Decency, making it a sin to see this movie.
It's actually more of a comedy, in my opinion (or perhaps I just have a strange sense of humor), than any other of Tennesse Williams tales. The story goes like so; Baby Doll Meighan is the lawful wife of Archie Lee Meighan, but not in any other way. They formed an agreement that Archie Lee would not share the same bed with his wife until her 20th birthday and if Archie Lee made all the money he promised Baby Doll's father he would make. Archie Lee was in the cotton ginning business until Silva Vacarro came in with his monopoly and put everyone in the town out of business. Archie Lee decides to burn down Vacarro's gin. He does so and everyone knows it was him, but no one wants to help Vacarro as he impoverished the locals. Vacarro decides to make his own revenge--in the form of seducing Baby Doll. Indeed, for its time (and even for today, to some extent), the scenes between Baby Doll and Vacarro are rather...electrifying.
Fans of Tennesse Williams or whoever's just curious to see what racy was considered back in 1956 should enjoy this.
This review of Baby Doll (1956) was written by Kevin S on 27 Jul 2008.
Baby Doll has generally received very positive reviews.
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