Baby Doll Blu-ray Review
Warner Archive Collection
Score: 72
from 4 reviewers
Review Date:
Baby Doll captivates with its provocative storyline, strong performances, and exemplary direction, enhanced by Warner Archive's stunning HD Blu-ray transfer.
Disc Release Date
DTS-HD MA
Video: 86
Warner Archive's Blu-ray of *Baby Doll* dazzles with a crisp 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer from a new 2K master, capturing Boris Kaufman's stunning black-and-white cinematography in its intended 1.85:1 aspect ratio. Enhanced contrast, faithful grayscale, and minimal artifacts make this an undeniable upgrade from the 2006 DVD.
Audio: 75
Baby Doll's DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono track delivers crisp dialogue, balanced with Kenyon Hopkins' sultry original score and rich atmospheric sounds. Despite occasional ADR and accent-related dialogue clarity issues, the audio is largely faithful and dynamic, providing the best sonic experience for this classic film.
Extra: 38
"The Blu-ray extras for 'Baby Doll' include a compelling 13-minute featurette from 2006 with key interviews and historical insights, and a sizzling, vintage 3-minute theatrical trailer; both provide valuable context and maintain their relevance from the original DVD release."
Movie: 84
Elia Kazan's Baby Doll remains a controversial, yet captivating, blend of drama and black comedy that delves into themes of greed, lust, and power set in the crumbling South, with standout performances from Carroll Baker, Karl Malden, and Eli Wallach; Warner Archive's Blu-ray provides an excellent A/V presentation with noteworthy supplements.
Video: 86
Warner Archive’s Blu-ray release of "Baby Doll" is a quintessential upgrade for aficionados, showcasing a masterful presentation derived from a brand new 4K transfer. The film is presented in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio, eschewing the cropped 1.37:1 image of previous DVDs, allowing audiences to experience the full breadth of Boris Kaufman’s Oscar-nominated, silvery black-and-white cinematography. Detailing is impeccable, with rich blacks, bright whites, and a wide range of grays that breathe life into the run-down Mississippi mansion setting - from intricate close-ups to immersive nocturnal sequences.
The 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer offers a filmic texture with natural film grain and remarkable clarity. Fine details routinely stand out, enhancing the grittiness of the rustic visuals. Notable sequences, such as the initial encounter between Baby Doll and Silva and the climactic nighttime shootout bathed in car headlights, are vivid and compelling. Shadow delineation is particularly commendable during scenes in the attic and other low-light environments, maintaining depth without losing detail.
Despite occasional softness and minor variances in grain consistency in wider shots, likely due to source material limitations, the overall visual prowess remains steadfastly impressive. Warner Archive's Blu-ray ensures no apparent deficiencies such as banding, edge enhancement, or compression artifacts disrupt the viewing experience. The exceptional grayscale rendering avoids blooming and showcases the inherent cinematic aesthetics meticulously. This Blu-ray is an undeniable visual treat and an essential upgrade over previous releases.
Audio: 75
The audio presentation of the "Baby Doll" Blu-ray disc is anchored by a robust English 2.0 Mono DTS-HD Master Audio track. This mix delivers crisp, clear dialogue that integrates seamlessly with Kenyon Hopkins' sultry, jazz-influenced score. Noteworthy sonic accents such as honky horns, crowing roosters, and creaky floorboards are rendered with high fidelity, enriching the film’s atmospheric setting. Occasional issues with ADR misalignment—where dialogue doesn't match lip movements—are present but minor and not attributable to the Blu-ray transfer itself. With a wide dynamic range and minimal source defects like hiss or crackle, this release significantly elevates the audio experience over previous DVD iterations.
Optional English SDH subtitles are available and recommended for those who wish to fully appreciate Tennessee Williams’ lyrical dialogue. The combination of Southern drawls and rapid delivery can obscure some exchanges, making the subtitles a useful addition. Despite minor inconsistencies in vocal clarity due to regional accents and overlapping lines, the audio track remains largely effective. The soundstage, though narrow as expected from mono releases of the period, proves adequate for the film’s needs. This Blu-ray edition minimizes distortion and enhances the tonal depth of both dialogue and score, offering an unrivaled auditory experience for fans of this classic film.
Extra: 38
The Blu-ray release of "Baby Doll" features limited but highly insightful extras that enrich the viewing experience. The standout is the featurette "See No Evil," which delves into the film’s controversial reception and its significant place in American cinematic history. Interviews with Carroll Baker, Eli Wallach, Karl Malden, and film historian Drew Casper provide valuable perspectives on the movie's anti-Puritanical stance, the socio-political climate during its production, and intriguing on-set anecdotes, such as the intense filming conditions during a famous close-up scene. Additionally, the original theatrical trailer offers vintage insights into the film's promotion and its provocative content.
Extras included in this disc:
- See No Evil: Featurette with interviews discussing the film's controversy, production, and societal impact.
- Theatrical Trailer: Original promotional piece highlighting the film’s raw and titillating aspects.
Movie: 84
Elia Kazan's "Baby Doll" is a provocative film adaptation of Tennessee Williams' play "27 Wagons Full of Cotton," spotlighting the tumultuous life of Baby Doll Meighan (Carroll Baker) and her relationships with husband Archie Lee Meighan (Karl Malden) and Silva Vaccaro (Eli Wallach). The film's narrative centers around Baby Doll, a 19-year-old bride bound by a promise to consummate her marriage on her 20th birthday. This is complicated by Archie Lee's financial struggles, leading him to destroy Vaccaro’s rival cotton gin, inciting a chain of events driven by lust, greed, and revenge. The plot masterfully intertwines these elements with Williams' characteristic sardonic humor and pathos, set against a decaying Southern backdrop.
Despite its heavy censorship battles and condemnation by religious authorities, "Baby Doll" remains a notable cinematic work for its audacious approach to sexuality and power dynamics in the 1950s. The performances of Baker, Malden, and Wallach are exceptional, imbuing their characters with depth and authenticity. Baker's Oscar-nominated portrayal elucidates the tension between childlike innocence and burgeoning sensuality, while Malden portrays the frustrated, desperate Archie Lee with vigor. Wallach's portrayal of Vaccaro introduces a calculated charm and menace, marking his impressive film debut. The black-and-white cinematography by Boris Kaufman complements the film’s atmospheric tension perfectly, underscoring the societal decay.
While some scenes may feel protracted, potentially slowing down the pacing, the film’s layered script rewards subsequent viewings. The screenplay's exploration of sexual repression, power struggles, and moral ambiguity in a racially and culturally complex South offers a timeless reflection on human nature. The audience is treated to a nuanced blend of dark comedy and profound drama, enhanced by Kazan’s expert direction and Williams’ incisive storytelling. "Baby Doll" thrives on its taboo-defying narrative, making it an evocative and unforgettable film that continues to resonate beyond its controversial origins.
Total: 72
Elia Kazan's Baby Doll is an engaging and provocative Deep South drama that remains impactful thanks to its solid script, remarkable cinematography, and outstanding direction. Based on Tennessee Williams' work, the film features intense performances and an effective mix of melodrama and dark humor. The Blu-ray release from Warner Archive showcases a fantastic HD transfer in the original widescreen aspect ratio, offering a significant improvement over the 2006 DVD edition. This new master preserves the film's atmospheric and sexually charged essence, making it a must-have for both fans and first-time viewers.
Baby Doll tells the story of a coquettish teen bride who keeps her older husband at arm's length while flirtatiously toying with his bitter rival. The film's portrayal of sexual tension, without explicit nudity or sex, was subversive for its time and earned it four Academy Award nominations, including one for Carroll Baker's performance. The character-driven narrative, delivered by a talented cast including Karl Malden, Eli Wallach, and Mildred Dunnock, underscores Kazan's superior direction. The vibrant energy of these performances, combined with the meticulous attention to detail in the Blu-ray presentation, rejuvenates this classic.
Warner Archive's Blu-ray release of Baby Doll is a testament to their prowess in home video presentation, delivering an impressive audio-visual experience. Although the extras are brief and recycled, they complement the package well. This release not only serves established fans but also introduces this classic to a new generation. Overall, this Blu-ray edition is very highly recommended, making it a worthy upgrade from previous versions and a commendable addition to any collection.
In conclusion, Elia Kazan's Baby Doll may be your grandfather's saucy Deep South drama, but it survives based on the strength of a solid script, great cinematography and direction, and strong early performances from soon-to-be-established actors. Warner Archive's stunning Blu-ray serves up another fantastic A/V presentation and, though the recycled extras are brief, it's a very satisfying package overall. Heartily recommended to fans and first-timers alike.
Blu-ray.com review by Randy Miller IIIRead review here
Video: 90
Deep silvery gradients and a huge amount of natural film grain adorn countless close-ups and mid-range shots alike (which run the gamut from deep blacks to whites that show no blooming), although some...
Audio: 80
Baby Doll's audio also impresses most of the time, although a number of badly-placed ADR lines -- many of which aren't even paired with lip movements -- distract in unlikely places....
Extras: 40
All three naturally defend the film for its obvious anti-Puritanical merits while talking about other era-specific events such as the tragic 1955 murder of Emmitt Till, which occurred barely 50 miles from...
Movie: 80
What's really memorable about Baby Doll are the great lead and supporting performances: everyone's perfectly cast and it's great to see Eli Wallach so early in his career, a full decade before his most...
Total: 80
Elia Kazan's Baby Doll may be your grandfather's saucy Deep South drama, but it survives based on the strength of a solid script, great cinematography and direction, and strong early performances from...
The Digital Bits review by Dennis SeulingRead review here
Video: 95
Audio: 80
During the cotton-gin conflagration, the music is exciting and is mixed with sounds of the cracking flames and the collapsing structure....
Extras: 40
Movie: 85
The Catholic Legion of Decency gave the film a C rating, forcing many theaters to cancel their bookings, and Time Magazine stated that it was “just possibly the dirtiest American-made motion picture that...
Total: 75
At one point, Archie notes, “There’s no torture on Earth to equal the torture a cold woman inflicts on a man.”...
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 80
A brand new HD master that perks up the picture and erases all the nicks, blotches, and scratches that dotted the DVD is one notable improvement, but presenting the film in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio...
Audio: 60
The combination of lazy drawls, Southern idioms, overlapping lines, rapid delivery, and a fair amount of mumbling make many exchanges difficult to fully decipher....
Extras: 20
Featurette: "See No Evil: Baby Doll" (SD, 13 minutes) - Interviews with Karl Malden, Carroll Baker, and Eli Wallach highlight this absorbing 2006 featurette that examines Tennessee Williams' contribution...
Movie: 80
It may not stand as one of his best known works, but like almost all of his dramas it endures, thanks to a literate, lyrical screenplay, expert direction by Elia Kazan, and the indelible performances of...
Total: 80
The story of a coquettish teen bride who keeps her much older - and very frustrated - husband at bay while shamelessly flirting with his bitter business rival is as languorous as a lazy Southern evening,...
Home Theater Forum review by t1g3r5fanRead review here
Video: 100
The gray scale here is faithfully represented here with inky blacks and fine details standing out in addition to organic film grain; there’s very few to no instances of dirt, scratches, tears, fading,...
Audio: 100
This is by far the best the movie will ever sound on home video and easily bests the previous Warner DVD....
Extras: 60
Carried over from the previous Warner Bros. DVD, this brief featurette looks at the film’s production and its controversial release; those interviewed include Carroll Baker, Eli Wallach, Karl Malden and...
Movie: 100
Karl Malden also does a great job as the bigoted and alcoholic Archie, trying to salvage his failing business while awaiting the consummation of his marriage; Malden was no stranger to Williams’ work,...
Total: 90
Bold and provocative in its time, Baby Doll still maintains its potent brew of drama and black comedy due to the strong performances of its three leads and exemplary direction from Elia Kazan....
Director: Elia Kazan
Actors: Karl Malden, Carroll Baker, Eli Wallach
PlotIn a small Southern town, Archie Lee Meighan, a struggling cotton gin owner, is married to Baby Doll, a naïve and childlike young woman. Their marriage hinges on an unusual agreement: Archie must wait until Baby Doll's 20th birthday before consummating their marriage. As tensions rise in their household, Archie becomes increasingly frustrated with the living arrangement and the dilapidated state of their home. His financial woes are further compounded by the success of a rival cotton gin owner, Silva Vacarro.
Desperate to maintain his business and assert his dominance, Archie burns down Silva's gin, believing it will eliminate his competition. However, Silva suspects Archie and seeks to expose him. To do so, he visits Archie’s home under the pretense of having his own cotton ginned. Through calculated manipulation and seduction, Silva aims to draw out a confession from Archie while deepening the rifts within Archie and Baby Doll's fragile relationship. Tensions and emotions escalate as each character grapples with desire, power, and retribution, leading to an unpredictable climax.
Writers: Tennessee Williams
Release Date: 29 Dec 1956
Runtime: 114 min
Rating: R
Country: United States
Language: English, Italian