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Baby Doll

R Released Dec 18, 1956 1h 54m Comedy Drama List
83% Tomatometer 23 Reviews 80% Audience Score 2,500+ Ratings
Based on a play by Tennessee Williams, "Baby Doll" centers on Archie Lee Meighan (Karl Malden), a failing cotton gin owner who is married to Baby Doll (Carroll Baker), a 19-year old childlike beauty whose father arranged the marriage for financial reasons. As Archie awaits the arrival of Baby Doll's 20th birthday, the day that they are supposed to consummate their marriage, he faces interference from business rival Silva Vacarro (Eli Wallach), who plots to seduce Baby Doll away from Meighan. Read More Read Less
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Critics Reviews

View All (23) Critics Reviews
Mae Tinee Chicago Tribune With a bit more directorial restraint, the film could have been a classic -- as is, the uniformly excellent performances make it a case history of four strange persons. Sep 14, 2022 Full Review Jean Yothers Orlando Sentinel It is very well done. Oct 8, 2021 Full Review Variety Staff Variety Wallach as the vengeful Vacarro plays it to the hilt. Malden is cast to perfection and turns in a socko performance. Oct 6, 2008 Full Review Kathy Fennessy Seattle Film Blog The good news is that it's just as entertaining now as it must have been in 1956. It's also much funnier (intentionally or otherwise). Rated: 3.5/4 Jul 18, 2022 Full Review Robert Bingham The Reporter A picture that is several cuts above Elvis Presley’s Love Me Tender but quite far below A Streetcar Named Desire, another Kazan- Williams collaboration, and not even to be compared with their Rose Tattoo. Feb 10, 2022 Full Review Hortense Morton (Screen Scout) San Francisco Examiner It's too bad that all of this talent, in front and behind the camera, couldn't have been channeled into a more uplifting and inspiring drama. Jul 7, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member it's trash of a movie Rated 1 out of 5 stars 06/09/24 Full Review william d Despite a superb performance from Eli Wallach the story ain't much, or maybe it just hasn't aged well. In any event, it's not one of Tennessee Williams' best. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review andres s Boy, does that blonde girl look real cute and boy does her accent sound dumb almost like a baby talking lol. I can see why he calls her baby doll. Very colorful characters throughout which is no surprise considering it's the South, Mississippi and all. Very odd couple these two. It's interesting though. I'm curious to see what the origin story is. Jesus Christ everybody's missing their teeth in this little Mississippi town lol. That black lady that started singing in the pizza parlor sounded really nice. Maybe something that could be sampled. I love the dialogue and chemistry among all these interesting characters. Baby Doll sure is charming and flirty. It's unfortunate that she's just a pretty face with no brain. It seems like Silva Vaccaro is trying to woo Baby Doll away from Archie as kind of like a way to get back for having his gin factory burned down by Archie. That swing scene between Baby and Mr. Vaccaro was something else. The sexual tension was impalpable. The way Vaccaro comes onto Baby Doll and the way Baby Doll gets all flustered and light headed was really entrancing to watch. Phenomenal "acting". It's so weird because it's like refreshing and nice seeing Baby and Vacarro getting close even though you know it's wrong. Very interesting dynamic between the two. They both are playful and charming. Poor Aunt Rose. She's so sweet and means so well but she's also so aloof and oblivious. Fucking terrific performances from everyone! The humor in this movie is subtle, but you can see it in the nuances of the actors' performances. I love it. There's also a bit of social commentary on interracial relationships and racism. This movie is the result of terrific writing and a well thought out screenplay. Tennessee Williams you're a genius! This movie shows the ugly side of human traits. Like how fear, anxiety and the pressures of life can cause one to rage and be angry and hateful. Moral of the story is you can't go messing with another man's business or job because it'll bite you back in the ass. They tackled the subject of racism in a brilliant way by showing that the main character, Archie, was the only one who was truly racist the whole time. Everybody else lived their life not even knowing what racism is. Character development, interesting dynamics, relationships and an interesting story made this movie very unique and I will think about it for some time. I thought it was very smartly written. I'd watch this movie again. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member This really is the worst film. but I was weirdly amused. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Audience Member "Baby Doll" takes "Gone With the Wind" and turns it on its head to conjure up a dark Southern Gothic dramedy. Both "Baby Doll" and "Gone With the Wind" center on the crazed antics of a couple's crumbling marriage, except that here Rhett and Scarlett's money, polish and wit are traded in for the clownish Archie Lee (Karl Malden) and Baby Doll's (Carroll Baker) trailer park desperation and a plantation home artifice. "Baby Doll" boasts an unforgettable cast, led by Karl Malden, Carroll Baker and Eli Wallach; in fact, the entire cast (including priceless amateurs) is stellar. Of course, Tennessee Williams' screenplay is the brightest star here, especially the ingenious, cat-and-mouse between Wallach and Baker. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/19/23 Full Review steve d The script is smart and the acting great. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Baby Doll

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Movie Info

Synopsis Based on a play by Tennessee Williams, "Baby Doll" centers on Archie Lee Meighan (Karl Malden), a failing cotton gin owner who is married to Baby Doll (Carroll Baker), a 19-year old childlike beauty whose father arranged the marriage for financial reasons. As Archie awaits the arrival of Baby Doll's 20th birthday, the day that they are supposed to consummate their marriage, he faces interference from business rival Silva Vacarro (Eli Wallach), who plots to seduce Baby Doll away from Meighan.
Director
Elia Kazan
Producer
Elia Kazan
Screenwriter
Tennessee Williams
Production Co
Newtown Productions
Rating
R
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 18, 1956, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 8, 2011
Runtime
1h 54m
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