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La mauvaise graine

Original title: The Bad Seed
  • 1956
  • Approved
  • 2h 9m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
16K
YOUR RATING
Patty McCormack in La mauvaise graine (1956)
Trailer for this incredible story of an evil little girl
Play trailer3:21
1 Video
95 Photos
DramaHorrorThriller

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.

  • Director
    • Mervyn LeRoy
  • Writers
    • John Lee Mahin
    • Maxwell Anderson
    • William March
  • Stars
    • Nancy Kelly
    • Patty McCormack
    • Gage Clarke
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    7.4/10
    16K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Mervyn LeRoy
    • Writers
      • John Lee Mahin
      • Maxwell Anderson
      • William March
    • Stars
      • Nancy Kelly
      • Patty McCormack
      • Gage Clarke
    • 252User reviews
    • 85Critic reviews
    • 51Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 4 Oscars
      • 1 win & 6 nominations total

    Videos1

    The Bad Seed
    Trailer 3:21
    Watch The Bad Seed

    Photos95

    Patty McCormack in La mauvaise graine (1956)
    Mervyn LeRoy and Patty McCormack in La mauvaise graine (1956)
    Henry Jones and Patty McCormack in La mauvaise graine (1956)
    "The Bad Seed" Patty McCormack in a special photo shoot for her Oscar nominated performance 1956 Warner Brothers
    "The Bad Seed" Patty McCormack in a special photo shoot for her Oscar nominated performance 1956 Warner Brothers
    Patty McCormack in La mauvaise graine (1956)
    "The Bad Seed" Patty McCormack in a special photo shoot for her Oscar nominated performance 1956 Warner Brothers
    "The Bad Seed" Patty McCormack in a special photo shoot for her Oscar nominated performance 1956 Warner Brothers
    Henry Jones, Nancy Kelly, and Patty McCormack in La mauvaise graine (1956)
    Nancy Kelly and Patty McCormack in La mauvaise graine (1956)
    Henry Jones, Nancy Kelly, and Patty McCormack in La mauvaise graine (1956)
    La mauvaise graine (1956)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Nancy Kelly
    Nancy Kelly
    • Christine Penmark
    Patty McCormack
    Patty McCormack
    • Rhoda Penmark
    Gage Clarke
    Gage Clarke
    • Tasker
    Jesse White
    Jesse White
    • Emory
    Joan Croydon
    • Miss Fern
    • (as Joan Croyden)
    William Hopper
    William Hopper
    • Col. Kenneth Penmark
    Paul Fix
    Paul Fix
    • Richard Bravo
    Henry Jones
    Henry Jones
    • Leroy
    Evelyn Varden
    Evelyn Varden
    • Monica
    Eileen Heckart
    Eileen Heckart
    • Mrs. Hortense Daigle
    Frank Cady
    Frank Cady
    • Henry Daigle
    Frances Bavier
    Frances Bavier
    • Woman in Dinner Party
    • (uncredited)
    Violet N. Cane
    • Teacher
    • (uncredited)
    Vivian Clermont
    • Mary Beth Musgrove
    • (uncredited)
    Shelley Fabares
    Shelley Fabares
    • Margie
    • (uncredited)
    Kathy Garver
    Kathy Garver
    • Rhoda's Classmate
    • (uncredited)
    Don C. Harvey
    Don C. Harvey
    • Guard in Hospital Corridor
    • (uncredited)
    Edna Holland
    Edna Holland
    • Saleslady
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Mervyn LeRoy
    • Writers
      • John Lee Mahin
      • Maxwell Anderson
      • William March
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Final film of Nancy Kelly. Despite earning an Oscar nomination for this film, she never made another theatrical movie, only focusing on TV projects.
    • Goofs
      Christine plans dinner for Tasker. She gets word from Bravo that he is coming to town that same evening, maybe even in time for dinner. Christine sends Rhoda to Monica's because the adults expect to eat late, past Rhoda's dinner time. Tasker ends up leaving, after meeting with Christine. However, there is no mention of dinner or why he leaves before eating.
    • 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 L'amie mortelle (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 reviews252

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    WHOA!!!
    I was blown away! I was at the edge of my seat the whole time. Those people gave me the creeps. I was just flipping through the channels when I came across it. Normally I'll change the channel after a minute or two to see what else is on, but not when I saw this movie! I was so terrified, I sat through the whole movie, uninterrupted. I'm shivering just thinking about it right now!
    helpful•48
    16
    • jweatherford27
    • Jul 13, 2001

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    FAQ25

    • How long is The Bad Seed?Powered by Alexa
    • What is 'The Bad Seed' about?
    • Is "The Bad Seed" based on a book?
    • What is the music that Rhoda keeps playing on the piano?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 12, 1956 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Bad Seed
    • Filming locations
      • Midwest Street, Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA(as Tidewater Arms Apartments exteriors)
    • Production company
      • Warner Bros.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,000,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 9 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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