Episode 56: The Exquisite Agony of Christine Penmark

In the Details: a Celebration of Nuance

1956's "The Bad Seed" is most well-known for being a pioneer of the "killer kid" horror sub-genre. But it also features three Oscar-nominated female performances--Patty McCormack as the pigtailed psycho Rhoda Penmark, the brilliant Eileen Heckart as drunk, grief-stricken Mrs. Daigle, and Nancy Kelly as Rhoda's poor suffering mother Christine. Kelly, who previously won the Tony in the original stage production, brings a Broadway-sized performance to the movie that is fascinating, over the top, and teeming with bold acting choices. This week I pick out a few choice meltdowns that are giving me that Toni Collette in "Hereditary" vibe I love. Get in touch with me! Email: [email protected] Twitter: @colindrucker Instagram: @colindrucker_