Bad Seed (1934)

A young man-about-Paris, cut off from his father's money, falls in with a picaresque gang of car thieves.

Directors:

Alexander Esway (as Alexandre Esway), Billy Wilder (as Billie Wilder)

Writers:

Jan Lustig (scenario) (as Lustig), Billy Wilder (scenario) (as Wilder)

Stars:

Danielle Darrieux, Pierre Mingand, Raymond Galle

Cast

Credited cast:
Danielle Darrieux	...	Jeannette
Pierre Mingand	...	Henri Pasquier
Raymond Galle	...	Jean-la-Cravate
Paul Escoffier	...	Le docteur Pasquier
Michel Duran	...	Le chef
Jean Wall	...	Le zèbre
Marcel Maupi	...	L'homme au panama (as Maupi)
Paul Velsa	...	L'homme aux cacahuètes
Georges Malkine	...	Le secrétaire
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Georges Cahuzac	...	Le monsieur
Gaby Héritier	...	Gaby

Storyline

In the 30's, in Paris, the playboy Henri Pasquier is supported by his father, Dr. Pasquier with money and a brandy new car. When Dr. Pasquier decides to suspend the allowance and sell the car to force Henri to get a job, he leaves home and associates to a gang of car thieves. Henri falls in love for the thief Jeannette, and when they are betrayed by their boss, they decide to move to Casablanca and straight their lives.

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Plot Keywords:

car | gang | father | thief | killed by a policeman | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Did You Know?

Trivia

First film directed by Billy Wilder.

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Goofs

Pasquier's Buick has different plate numbers in different locations. 03:00 Car enters repair shop. Back plate: 2454RG6 06:50 Arriving at his father's offices. Front plate: 24554OU3 08:50 New owners driving the car away. Back plate: 6439I2 10:20 Pasquier's sees his car parked. Front plate: 2454OU3 11:00 Running away from the bad guys. Back plate: 6439I2 14:50 Arriving at Garage Monico. Front plate: 2454OU3

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Connections

Version of The First Offence (1936)

User Reviews

A Great Director Is Born

In the 30's, in Paris, the playboy Henri Pasquier (Pierre Mingand) is supported by his father, Dr. Pasquier (Paul Escoffier) with money and a brandy new car. When Dr. Pasquier decides to suspend the allowance and sell the car to force Henri to get a job, he leaves home and associates to a gang of car thieves. Henri falls in love for the thief Jeannette (Danielle Darrieux), and when they are betrayed by their boss, they decide to move to Casablanca and straight their lives.

"Mauvaise Graine" is the magnificent debut of Billy Wilder as director. The attractive story has action, romance, drama, comedy in right doses, and in 2006, there is another great attraction: the wonderful old cars. The planes of shooting are amazing even for the present days. The seventeen years old Danielle Darrieux, in the beginning of career and extremely beautiful, is another attraction. This unknown movie is a gem to be discovered. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Semente do Mal" ("Bad Seed")

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

5 July 1934 (France)

Also Known As:

Amore che redime

Filming Locations:

Plage fluviale, L'Isle Adam, Val-d'Oise, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Compagnie Nouvelle Commerciale

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1