Baby Doll

R

Released Dec 18, 1956

1h 54m

Drama

List

83%

Tomatometer

23 Reviews

81%

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.

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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

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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

Audience Member

I think that it must have seemed unique, even in its time. I was very young when I saw it and thought it fascinatingly backward. And now, I think it's very funny. But the thing is, it gets to you. The public library carries it. Check for bedbugs and definitely have a look. They're all remembered and not forgotten.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

Full Review

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Elia Kazan

Director

Karl Malden

Archie Lee Meighan

Carroll Baker

Baby Doll Meighan

Eli Wallach

Silva Vacarro

Mildred Dunnock

Aunt Rose Comfort

Lonny Chapman

Rock

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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
Production Co: Newtown Productions
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 18, 1956, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 8, 2011
Runtime: 1h 54m

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