The Bad Seed is one of my very favorite films. I consider it a classic. The movie has a great cast including Patty McCormack as Rhoda Penmark. The movie is basically a film version of the stage play. The only thing I do not like about this film is the Hollywood ending. In the novel and in the play it is Rhoda's mother who dies and it is Rhoda who lives. For some stupid reason the makers of the movie felt it was not a good idea to have the original ending. A cast call at the end was also added, with Rhoda's mother giving her daughter the spanking she has always deserved! This part of the film doesn't bother me as much as the changed ending. A made for television remake of The Bad Seed was made. It is very dull, but at least they stuck to the original ending. If you purchase the DVD of this film, you get the added bonus of watching Patty McCormack talk about her role. Ms. McCormack has continued in acting up until this present day, but she will forever be remembered for this classic film.
Review of The Bad Seed
