So Young So Bad
| So Young, So Bad | |
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Theatrical poster (1950)
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| Directed by | Bernard Vorhaus |
| Produced by |
Edward J. Danziger Harry Lee Danziger |
| Written by |
Jean Rouverol (story) Bernard Vorhaus (story) |
| Starring |
Paul Henreid Catherine McLeod Anne Francis |
| Music by | Robert W. Stringer |
| Cinematography | Don Malkames |
| Edited by | Carl Lerner |
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Production
company |
Danziger Productions
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| Distributed by | United Artists |
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Release date
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Running time
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91 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
So Young, So Bad is a 1950 American drama film. It stars Paul Henreid and was directed by Bernard Vorhaus.
The film features the film debut of Rita Moreno, billed as Rosita Moreno, and the first major screen role for Anne Francis.
The film begins with three girls fleeing from Elmview Corrective School for Girls, a reform school. Two manage to steal a truck and escape while the third hides nearby. The next day Dr. John Jason (Paul Henreid), a psychiatrist on staff, is told to resign by Riggs (Cecil Clovelly), the chief of staff. Dr. Jason refuses and an investigation in the psychiatrist's methods is begun. Dr. Jason reflects on the circumstances leading up to this day and the scene changes to his arrival at Elmview.
Against the wishes of Riggs, Dr. Jason, is hired to reduce the high rate of recidivism at Elmview. He meets several of the new arrivals and naively recommends treatments for them to Riggs and the other staff, who seem to listen to his advice. Ruth Levering (Catherine McLeod) the assistant superintendent, warns him however that his efforts will be futile. When he follows up and explores the school, Dr. Jason is shocked to discover that not only is his advice not being followed but the girls are forced to work as farm hands and in a sweatshop laundry, and are punished with solitary confinement if they refuse. When he complains, Miss Levering, who had seemed sympathetic to the girls, refuses to back him up. Frustrated and realizing his work will do no good there, Dr. Jason considers resigning, much to the satisfaction of Riggs.
As a passive protest, the girls refuse to sing for the city council when they visit the institution. As punishment, Riggs has Mrs. Beuhler (Grace Coppin), the cruel head matron, confiscate the girls' belongings. In the process Riggs discovers and Beuhler kills a rabbit the girls had been keeping as a pet. In retaliation the girls set fire to their bedding and the blaze destroys the dormitory. Beuhler reacts by bringing the girls to the basement and setting a fire hose on them.
Meanwhile, Dr. Jason and Miss Levering meet on their day off and she explains that if she had supported him with the staff she would be fired and would then be unable to help the girls at all. Though Dr. Jason disagrees with this approach and an argument ensues, a friendship begins between the two. When they return to Elmview, they manage to rescue the girls from Beuhler. One of the girls, Loretta (Anne Francis), a single mother who Dr. Jason tried to help when he first arrived, develops a crush on him as a result.
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