The Bad Seed

IMDb RATING

7.4/10

16K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

Play trailer3:21

Psychological Thriller Drama Horror Thriller

Rhoda Penmark seems like your average, sweet eight-year-old girl. After her rival at school dies in mysterious circumstances at the school picnic, her mother starts to suspect that Rhoda was... Read allRhoda Penmark seems like your average, sweet eight-year-old girl. After her rival at school dies in mysterious circumstances at the school picnic, her mother starts to suspect that Rhoda was responsible.Rhoda Penmark seems like your average, sweet eight-year-old girl. After her rival at school dies in mysterious circumstances at the school picnic, her mother starts to suspect that Rhoda was responsible.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.4/10

16K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

4,426

679

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 4 Oscars
- 1 win & 6 nominations total

Miss Fern
(as Joan Croyden)

William Hopper

Col. Kenneth Penmark

Paul Fix

Richard Bravo

Henry Jones

Leroy

Evelyn Varden

Monica Breedlove

Eileen Heckart

Mrs. Hortense Daigle

Frank Cady

Henry Daigle

Frances Bavier

Woman in Dinner Party
(uncredited)

Violet N. Cane

Teacher
(uncredited)

Vivian Clermont

Mary Beth Musgrove
(uncredited)

Shelley Fabares

Margie
(uncredited)

Kathy Garver

Rhoda's Classmate
(uncredited)

Don C. Harvey

Guard in Hospital Corridor
(uncredited)

Edna Holland

Saleslady
(uncredited)

Director
- Mervyn LeRoy
Writers
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
The original Broadway production of "The Bad Seed" by Maxwell Anderson opened on December 8, 1954 and ran for 334 performances. Nancy Kelly won the 1955 Tony Award for Actress in a Drama and recreated her part in the movie. Patty McCormack, Eileen Heckart, Evelyn Varden, Henry Jones and Joan Croydon also recreated their stage roles in the movie version.

Goofs
When Christine scolds Rhoda for asking for a garnet as well as a turquoise, the reflection of someone, probably Mervyn LeRoy, sitting in a chair with his legs crossed is visible in the coffee pot. Addition: Just to the left of the reflection that is assumed to be LeRoy you can see other crew members moving in the shadow of the door frame reflected in the coffee pot.

Quotes
[How murderers are executed]
Leroy: They got a little blue chair for little boys and a little pink chair for little girls.

Crazy credits
After the finale, a narrator tells the audience "One moment please. And now our wonderful cast." Then, the principal cast members are introduced one by one, like they would be at the end of a play. After that's done with, there's a brief scene in which Nancy Kelly spanks Patty McCormack.

Connections
Featured in Deadly Friend (1986)

Soundtracks
Au clair de la lune
(uncredited)
Attributed to Jean-Baptiste Lully
Played on the piano by Patty McCormack and whistled by Henry Jones
Played often in the score

User reviews254

Review

Featured review

Bad Seed...but Good Movie

I consider this to be more of a psychological drama than a horror movie. Eight-year-old Rhoda has no remorse or feeling for the crimes she has committed, saying that it was "their faults". McCormack is a wonderful actress who could past her age in any movie. Overall, this is my favorite movie of all time and I recommend it to anyone who likes suspense with psychology.