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Pretty Baby (1978)

R 110 min  -  Drama  -   5 April 1978 (USA)
6.6
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Ratings: 6.6/10 from 4,524 users  
Reviews: 64 user | 24 critic

A teenage girl lives as a prostitute in the early decades of America, only to know her body is for bounty.

Director:

Louis Malle

Writers:

Polly Platt (story), Polly Platt (screenplay), and 1 more credit »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Brooke Shields ...
Keith Carradine ...
Susan Sarandon ...
Frances Faye ...
Nell
Antonio Fargas ...
Professor
Matthew Anton Matthew Anton ...
Red Top
Diana Scarwid ...
Frieda
Barbara Steele ...
Josephine
Seret Scott Seret Scott ...
Flora
Cheryl Markowitz Cheryl Markowitz ...
Gussie
Susan Manskey Susan Manskey ...
Fanny
Laura Zimmerman Laura Zimmerman ...
Agnes
Miz Mary Miz Mary ...
Odette
Gerrit Graham Gerrit Graham ...
Highpockets
Mae Mercer Mae Mercer ...
Mama Mosebery
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Storyline

In 1917, in the red light district Storyville, New Orleans, the prostitute Hattie lives with her twelve year-old daughter Violet in the fancy brothel of Madame Nell, where she works. Photographer Ernest J. Bellocq has an attraction to Hallie and Violet and he is an habitué of the whorehouse. One day, Madame Nell auctions Violet's virginity and the winner pays the fortune of US$ 400 to spend the night with the girl. Then Hattie marries a wealthy client and moves to Saint Louis, leaving Violet in the brothel alone. Violet decides to marry Bellocq and she moves to his house. Until the day that Hattie, who has overcome her past, comes to Bellocq's house with the intention to take Violet with her. Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil  

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Prostitution | Auction | Prostitute | Photographer | Virginity  | See more »

Taglines:

In 1917, in the red-light district of New Orleans, they called her "Pretty Baby" See more »

Genres:

Drama

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

(USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Niña bonita See more »

Filming Locations:

Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA See more »

Box Office

Gross:

$5,786,368 (USA)
See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures See more »
Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Jodie Foster was initially considered for the role of Violet, but declined due to her commitment with Walt Disney Pictures, because she was starring in Candleshoe. When interviewed with Rolling Stone magazine in 1991, Jodie said that she disliked to play that role, because she didn't want to be typecast as the underage prostitute she played in Martin Scorsese's Taxi Driver. See more »

Goofs

Crew or equipment visible: After Violet stands up from trying to have her nude picture taken a man can be seen in the reflective part of the camera. See more »

Quotes

Bellocq: [about Violet] What will become of her now?
Nell: What's going on with you? You don't have to worry about her. She's made a lot of money. She can do as she likes.
Bellocq: She's only twelve. She's completely alone.
Nell: Bellocq, you're in love with her.
Bellocq: Don't be absurd.
Nell: I've seen it a thousand times. I am old, and I know one thing - life is very long.
See more »

Crazy Credits

The closing credits include a card that states, "With our gratitude for the priceless music of FERDINAND "JELLY ROLL" MORTON." See more »

Connections

Featured in Geburtstagskinder der Nouvelle Vague (2007) See more »

Soundtracks

"Madamoiselle from Armentières"
(uncredited)
Traditional
Sung around the piano See more »