MovieChat Forums > The Bad Seed (1956) Discussion > Eileen Heckart's performance

Eileen Heckart's performance

posted 12 years ago by middsgo-956-41818
32 replies | jump to latest

...was the best characterization of a drunk and upset woman I've ever seen. I mean, I really pitied her, not just her loss but her alcoholism. Her performance was raw and compelling.
I have to say that I admire actors who can do the same role hundreds of times and still put feeling into it, rather than coming across as automatons.
I did a couple of plays in school, and by the end I felt like I was on automatic pilot. The time would go by so fast, it's hard to believe I was still doing a good job at it.

[–] PimpinAinttEasy 11 years ago

are you guys joking? that actress was plain awful. and her husband - LOL! what a joke!

Why would Pimpin watch a Bollywood movie in a hall? - Man

[–] jgrv-1 11 years ago

How would you suggest she play the role differently?

[–] gary-64659 9 years ago

Is that the considered opinion of a self-confessed pimp?

[–] milliedil 11 years ago

Brilliant performance. She knows how to play the comic relief of the role and then unexpectedly break the heart with explosive pathos. My vote for best supporting actress of 1956.

Thank you, thank you--you're most kind. In fact you're every kind.

[–] skylands 11 years ago

Good acting, but I always suspected that little Claude would have been really happy to escape such a grasping, overbearing, malcontent alcoholic mother.

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] redwriter76 9 years ago

It was my understanding that claude's death drove her to drink. . .

That's funny, my dad's battle axe is missing

[–] rachelpendle25 11 years ago

I just watched it now. She was terrific.

[–] jfd0210 11 years ago

She was excellent.
She did a great thing at the end of her last scene, moving from morose to just short of sobbing.
Her son wrote an interesting book, and he details how stressful this role was on her.

[–] ButterflyAlias 11 years ago

I couldn't agree more. She was heartbreaking and brilliant.

[–] SouthBandWatch 11 years ago

An extraordinary performance. I was spellbound.

[–] toldyousew 11 years ago

it was excellent. It was heartbreaking.

[–] kaskait 10 years ago

I agree, she is great. Its so rare to see a performance on film that is that raw and honest.

I do think Mrs. Daigle was an alcoholic long before the death of her son. Her son being the only light in her life. After his death, she just let go and hid in the bottle forever.

[–] ElectricWarlock 9 years ago

I think every single performance in the movie was excellent. I felt so sorry for Mrs. Daigle knowing that her whole life was ruined. The actors and actresses did a fabulous job so at times I could barely tell they were acting. They truly became their characters. I was so engrossed in the story that it became real.

[–] necoleman 8 years ago

I am formerly known as HillieBoliday....Member since May 2006

I agree. Eileen Heckart's performance was absolutely riveting! I saw this in the theater in 1956 when I was 8 years old. I had 4 brothers younger than myself; and a loving mother and father. I was totally blown away even in my little 8 year old thinking. Even though I found out many decades later that young children do commit murders; I didn't know it then. Needless to say....after that movie I was totally quiet for about 3 days. I was not able to articulate what I had seen. Ms. Heckart's performance was filled with so much pain, anguish, and love for her lost little boy....that I have never forgotten the reality she brought to that character. She deserved an Oscar....hands down!

"OOhhhooo....I'M GON' TELL MAMA!"

[–] MsLadybird99 8 years ago

She was hilarious. The best one in the movie.

[–] necoleman 8 years ago

I am formerly known as HillieBoliday....Member since May 2006

Sorry....but for me there was nothing laughable about Eileen Heckart's performance as a deeply grieving, tragic consumed mother over the mysterious/violent death of her only child. A mother who can only find temporary relief from this abject emotional and physical loss...by drowning herself in a bottle of alcohol.

Her performance is one I don't mind watching on screen; because I thank God.....I have never had to experience that kind of mind twisting/heart breaking pain in real life!

"OOhhhooo....I'M GON' TELL MAMA!"

[–] jriley555 (8358) 4 years ago

it was a staggeringly effective performance. what great writing of her part. getting a protesting word in edgewise over the social niceties.