{"id":33361,"date":"2014-04-15T15:20:29","date_gmt":"2014-04-15T22:20:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=33361"},"modified":"2021-01-06T01:46:24","modified_gmt":"2021-01-06T08:46:24","slug":"baby-face-1933","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=33361","title":{"rendered":"Baby Face (1933)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[<strong>Note:<\/strong> The following review is of a non-<em>Guide for the Film Fanatic<\/em> title; click <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?page_id=4388\">here<\/a> to read more.]<\/p>\n<p><strong>&#8220;What&#8217;s going to become of you? It&#8217;s up to you to decide.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Poster.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Poster-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-33362\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Poster-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Poster-85x128.jpg 85w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Poster.jpg 580w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nInspired by a philosophy-spouting mentor (Alphonse Ethier) and accompanied by her servant (Theresa Harris), an ambitious young woman (Barbara Stanwyck) climbs her way out of poverty and into the arms of increasingly influential men &#8212; eventually becoming embroiled in a fatal love triangle that sends her to Paris, where she romances a wealthy playboy (George Brent).\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Barbara Stanwyck Films<\/li>\n<li>Femmes Fatales<\/li>\n<li>George Brent Films<\/li>\n<li>Social Climbers<\/li>\n<li>Strong Females<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nIt&#8217;s truly puzzling that Peary neglects to include this acknowledged Pre-Code classic &#8212; one of the primary movies cited as motivation for enforcement of the <a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hays_Production_Code\">Production Code<\/a> &#8212; in either his <em>GFTFF<\/em> or <em>Alternate Oscars<\/em>. The smartly scripted, swiftly moving storyline shows us in no uncertain terms how easily men-in-power can be manipulated through sex, flattery, and outright deception. (&#8220;She climbed the ladder of success &#8211; wrong by wrong!&#8221; barks the original tagline.) Stanwyck&#8217;s powerhouse performance grounds and propels the film: she portrays a woman so embittered by mistreatment as a young girl &#8212; when she was prostituted by her abusive father (Robert Barrat) &#8212; that her sole purpose in life has become the attainment of material security at any cost. We do see a single glint of humanity poking through her serpentine veneer, as demonstrated by her loyalty to Harris  &#8212; an indication that all hope for redemption is not completely lost; yet this is essentially a tale of a ruthless vamp, the type of woman &#8220;ordinary&#8221; females have every right to fear, given that she&#8217;s playing by an entirely different set of rules. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> A fully restored version of <em>Baby Face<\/em> <a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Baby_Face_(film)\">was uncovered in a Library of Congress film vault in Dayton, Ohio in 2004<\/a>; click <a href=\"http:\/\/www.moviediva.com\/MD_root\/reviewpages\/MDBabyFace.htm\">here<\/a> to read more about the differences between the two releases. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Barbara Stanwyck as Lily<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Stanwyck.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Stanwyck.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"544\" height=\"400\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-33365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Stanwyck.png 544w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Stanwyck-128x94.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Stanwyck-300x220.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 544px) 100vw, 544px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Orry-Kelly&#8217;s costumes<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Costumes.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Costumes.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"544\" height=\"400\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-33369\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Costumes.png 544w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Costumes-128x94.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Costumes-300x220.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 544px) 100vw, 544px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Orry-Kelly2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Orry-Kelly2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"544\" height=\"400\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-33372\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Orry-Kelly2.png 544w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Orry-Kelly2-128x94.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Orry-Kelly2-300x220.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 544px) 100vw, 544px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Theresa Harris as Chico<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Harris.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Harris.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"544\" height=\"400\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-33368\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Harris.png 544w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Harris-128x94.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Harris-300x220.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 544px) 100vw, 544px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Fine direction by Alfred E. Green and cinematography by James Van Trees<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Direction3.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Direction3.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"544\" height=\"400\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-33370\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Direction3.png 544w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Direction3-128x94.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Direction3-300x220.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 544px) 100vw, 544px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Direction.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Direction.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"544\" height=\"400\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-33366\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Direction.png 544w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Direction-128x94.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Direction-300x220.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 544px) 100vw, 544px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Direction2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Direction2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"544\" height=\"400\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-33367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Direction2.png 544w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Direction2-128x94.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Direction2-300x220.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 544px) 100vw, 544px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Plenty of zingy Pre-Code sass:<br \/>\n<blockquote><p>Brent: &#8220;I&#8217;m sure your apartment is attractive.&#8221;<br \/>\nStanwyck: &#8220;I wouldn&#8217;t want you to be disappointed.&#8221;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Legs.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Legs.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"544\" height=\"400\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-33371\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Legs.png 544w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Legs-128x94.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Baby-Face-Legs-300x220.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 544px) 100vw, 544px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes, as an enjoyable classic of the Pre-Code era &#8212; and for Stanwyck&#8217;s Oscar-worthy performance. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Historically Relevant<\/li>\n<li>Noteworthy Performance(s)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0023775\/?ref_=nv_sr_1\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sfgate.com\/movies\/article\/Baby-Face-now-better-and-racier-than-ever-2505226.php\">SF Gate Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.combustiblecelluloid.com\/classic\/babyface.shtml\">Combustible Celluloid Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/pre-code.com\/baby-face-1933-review\/\">Pre-Code Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/movies.tvguide.com\/baby-face\/review\/101610\">TV Guide Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/29\/baby-face#articles-reviews?articleId=25802\">TCM Article<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[Note: The following review is of a non-Guide for the Film Fanatic title; click here to read more.] &#8220;What&#8217;s going to become of you? It&#8217;s up to you to decide.&#8221; Synopsis: Inspired by a philosophy-spouting mentor (Alphonse Ethier) and accompanied by her servant (Theresa Harris), an ambitious young woman (Barbara Stanwyck) climbs her way out of poverty and into the arms of increasingly influential men &#8212; eventually becoming embroiled in a fatal love triangle that sends her to Paris, where&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=33361\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":true,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-33361","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-missing-title-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33361","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=33361"}],"version-history":[{"count":24,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33361\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":61927,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33361\/revisions\/61927"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=33361"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=33361"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=33361"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}