Baby Doll

Baby Doll

Year: 1956

Runtime: 114 min

Language: English

Director: Elia Kazan

DramaComedy

In a sultry Southern town, Archie Lee Meighan, a struggling cotton gin owner, finds himself in a loveless marriage with the enchanting but naive Baby Doll. As her 20th birthday approaches, he anxiously awaits the consummation of their union. However, his business rival, Silva Vacarro, plots to win Baby Doll's affections, initiating a series of events that jeopardize Archie Lee’s precarious situation and exposes the complexities of their relationships.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Baby Doll (1956)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Baby Doll (1956). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Tiger's Tail County, Mississippi

Tiger's Tail County, Mississippi, serves as the backdrop for 'Baby Doll'. This rural area is known for its agricultural landscape, predominantly focusing on cotton production. The setting reflects the characters' struggles and the socio-economic challenges of their lives, notably showcased in the dilapidated plantation house where they reside.

🏡 Plantation 🌾 Cotton Industry

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:22

Main Characters – Baby Doll (1956)

Meet the key characters of Baby Doll (1956), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Archie Lee Meighan (Karl Malden)

Archie Lee is a middle-aged cotton gin owner struggling under financial stress and emotional turmoil. His deep-seated desires for Baby Doll are met with frustration, resulting in a complex mix of desperation and jealousy. As his circumstances worsen, Archie Lee's character reveals the darker facets of ambition and control.

👨‍🌾 Hardship 😠 Jealousy 🔥 Desperation

Baby Doll (Carroll Baker)

Baby Doll is a youthful bride caught between her loyalty to her husband and the unwanted attention from Vaccaro. Her innocence contrasts sharply with the tumultuous dynamics of her life. As she navigates her feelings and the pressures from both men, Baby Doll's character evolves, revealing layers of complexity and vulnerability.

👰 Youth 💔 Conflict 😨 Vulnerability

Silva Vaccaro (Eli Wallach)

Silva Vaccaro is a cunning and assertive rival who seeks to manipulate Baby Doll and undermine Archie Lee. His relentless pursuit of Baby Doll showcases his opportunistic nature and serves as a catalyst for the unfolding drama. Vaccaro's character embodies the theme of rivalry and power struggle within the plot.

🕵️ Rivalry 📈 Ambition😈 Manipulation

Aunt Rose Comfort (Mildred Dunnock)

Aunt Rose provides a layer of support and wisdom amidst the chaos of Baby Doll's life. Her presence balances the youthful innocence of Baby Doll with a more experienced perspective on matters of the heart and home. Aunt Rose's character highlights the generational dynamics at play.

👵 Wisdom ❤️ Support 🏠 Home

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:22

Major Themes – Baby Doll (1956)

Explore the central themes of Baby Doll (1956), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Emotional Distance

The theme of emotional distance permeates 'Baby Doll' as seen in the unconsummated marriage between Archie Lee and Baby Doll. The oversized crib symbolizes not just Baby Doll’s youth, but the psychological barriers that keep them apart. This emotional detachment leads to escalating tensions and conflicts, causing both characters to reevaluate their desires and relationships.

🔥 Desperation

Desperation drives Archie Lee to reckless actions, such as burning down the rival gin house. This theme illustrates the lengths one might go to reclaim control over their life and circumstances when faced with financial ruin and marital strife. It underscores how desperation can lead to impulsive decisions that have far-reaching consequences.

⚔️ Jealousy

Jealousy is a prominent theme as Archie Lee grapples with his feelings toward Baby Doll and Vaccaro. His inability to assert his control over Baby Doll leads to feelings of humiliation and rage, culminating in a confrontation that emphasizes the destructive nature of jealousy. This theme is intricately tied to the power dynamics in their relationships.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:22

Unlock the Full Story of Baby Doll

Don't stop at just watching — explore Baby Doll in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Baby Doll is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Baby Doll Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Baby Doll, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Baby Doll Summary

Baby Doll Timeline

Track the full timeline of Baby Doll with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Baby Doll Timeline

More About Baby Doll

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More About Baby Doll

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