# "The Bad Seed" (spoilers!) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 17, 2004, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bad-seed-spoilers/245607 "2004-05-17T14:34:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![MidnightRadio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@MidnightRadio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MidnightRadio)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bad-seed-spoilers/245607/21 "2004-05-18T12:23:37Z")
> [@Miss Mapp](#): > > IIRC from a novelization I read years ago, the original version probably ends in the hospital with the mother dead, but everyone relieved that the sound of the shot drew attention and they arrived in time to save Rhoda, who is going to be fine. > [@Otto](#): > > There was a novelization of a play based on a novel? Wierd… I’ve never heard of a novelization. The movie was based on a play that was in turn based on a novel. Patty McCormack and Nancy Kelly reprised their roles from the stage version. I’ve read the book, too and liked it a lot. And yes, you’ve got the ending right. I’d love to see another film version made. Preferably one that’s based directly on the book rather than on the play (which is excellent and faithful to the book, but makes for a very stagey movie). Oh, and **Eve** , you’ll be pleased to know that the film is going to be [released on DVD](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00027JYNK/ref=ase_imdb-adbox/102-5440903-1930531?v=glance&s=dvd) this summer. If memory serves, the movie was filmed with the original ending, but the censors insisted that a new, “happier”, ending be shot. It’s probably too much to hope for that they’d include the original ending as a special feature, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed. ---
**Author:** ![MidnightRadio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@MidnightRadio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MidnightRadio)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bad-seed-spoilers/245607/22 "2004-05-18T12:37:28Z")
Oh, I forgot… The book is [available from Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0880015403/qid=1084883150/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-5440903-1930531?v=glance&s=books), too, and has an introduction (not written by the author) that gives a brief biography of the author and gives a little insight regarding what some of the characters and situations in the book are supposed to represent. Apparently, Mr. March was a closeted homosexual, had horrible self-esteem, and led a deeply unhappy life. ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Mapp](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miss_mapp/32/369_2.png) [@Miss\_Mapp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Mapp)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bad-seed-spoilers/245607/23 "2004-05-18T21:10:00Z")
> [@MidnightRadio](#): > > I’ve never heard of a novelization. The movie was based on a play that was in turn based on a novel. Patty McCormack and Nancy Kelly reprised their roles from the stage version. I’ve read the book, too and liked it a lot. And yes, you’ve got the ending right. I must have been mistaken then, since I read the book a long time ago; I remembered it as being written based on the play, instead of the other way `round. > [@MidnightRadio](#): > > If memory serves, the movie was filmed with the original ending, but the censors insisted that a new, “happier”, ending be shot. It’s probably too much to hope for that they’d include the original ending as a special feature, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed. After Sunday’s showing, TCM host Ben Mankiewicz blamed it on the Production Code–a murderer couldn’t be shown as getting away with the crime–and claimed that the “meet the cast” coda was supposed to ease the shock the audience would feel at seeing a little girl blasted by a bolt of lightning (although I rather enjoy it). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bad-seed-spoilers/245607.md?page=1)