Born to Be Bad (1934 film)
Encyclopedia
Born to Be Bad is a 1934
Drama directed by Lowell Sherman, starring Loretta Young
and Cary Grant
. This film was rejected by the Hays Office twice before it was finally approved. The character Letty Strong, an unwed mother who entertains each client and makes as much as she can on the side by pleasing them, had to re-written and re-filmed, so that the character's occupation is only hinted at. Zanuck had to cut as much as possible shots of Letty in her underwear and exposed legs to the hips.
) is a young, unwed mother. Pregnant and alone at fifteen she's had to toughen up. Raising her son Mickey (Jackie Kelk
) to be street smart so he'll never end up in a similar situation to her. When a milk truck driven by Malcolm Trevor (Cary Grant
), the president of the company, hits Mickey, Letty seizes the opportunity to make some money and encourages Mikey to lie about the extent of his injuries. When Letty is caught, the judge takes Mickey from her. Malcolm and his wife Alyce (Marion Burns
) feel for the boy and his mother, and adopt him so she can see him more frequently. Letty is not satisfied by this and with the persuasion of her unscrupulous lawyer tries to stage an elaborate plot to seduce Malcolm and blackmail him into giving her Mickey and his money. The plan backfires when Alyce gives her blessing on the affair and Letty realizes her genuine feelings for Malcolm. She must decide to either step aside and put Mickey's happiness in his new home first or follow her own heart and break up Malcolm and Alyce's marriage.
1934 in film
-Events:*January 26 - Samuel Goldwyn purchases the film rights to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz from the L. Frank Baum estate for $40,000.*February 19 - Bob Hope marries Dolores Reade...
Drama directed by Lowell Sherman, starring Loretta Young
Loretta Young
Loretta Young was an American actress. Starting as a child actress, she had a long and varied career in film from 1917 to 1953...
and Cary Grant
Cary Grant
Archibald Alexander Leach , better known by his stage name Cary Grant, was an English actor who later took U.S. citizenship...
. This film was rejected by the Hays Office twice before it was finally approved. The character Letty Strong, an unwed mother who entertains each client and makes as much as she can on the side by pleasing them, had to re-written and re-filmed, so that the character's occupation is only hinted at. Zanuck had to cut as much as possible shots of Letty in her underwear and exposed legs to the hips.
Plot
Letty (Loretta YoungLoretta Young
Loretta Young was an American actress. Starting as a child actress, she had a long and varied career in film from 1917 to 1953...
) is a young, unwed mother. Pregnant and alone at fifteen she's had to toughen up. Raising her son Mickey (Jackie Kelk
Jackie Kelk
Jackie Kelk is an American radio actor and stand-up comedian, born in Brooklyn, NY. He played Jimmy Olsen in the first seven years of the radio show The Adventures of Superman and Homer, best friend of Henry Aldrich on the teenage radio comedy of the same name. He starred as Young Mr...
) to be street smart so he'll never end up in a similar situation to her. When a milk truck driven by Malcolm Trevor (Cary Grant
Cary Grant
Archibald Alexander Leach , better known by his stage name Cary Grant, was an English actor who later took U.S. citizenship...
), the president of the company, hits Mickey, Letty seizes the opportunity to make some money and encourages Mikey to lie about the extent of his injuries. When Letty is caught, the judge takes Mickey from her. Malcolm and his wife Alyce (Marion Burns
Marion Burns
Marion Burns was an American film actress of the 1930s. She is best known for having starred opposite John Wayne in the 1935 film The Dawn Rider and opposite him again that same year in Paradise Canyon....
) feel for the boy and his mother, and adopt him so she can see him more frequently. Letty is not satisfied by this and with the persuasion of her unscrupulous lawyer tries to stage an elaborate plot to seduce Malcolm and blackmail him into giving her Mickey and his money. The plan backfires when Alyce gives her blessing on the affair and Letty realizes her genuine feelings for Malcolm. She must decide to either step aside and put Mickey's happiness in his new home first or follow her own heart and break up Malcolm and Alyce's marriage.
Cast
- Loretta YoungLoretta YoungLoretta Young was an American actress. Starting as a child actress, she had a long and varied career in film from 1917 to 1953...
as Letty Strong - Cary GrantCary GrantArchibald Alexander Leach , better known by his stage name Cary Grant, was an English actor who later took U.S. citizenship...
as Malcolm Trevor - Jackie KelkJackie KelkJackie Kelk is an American radio actor and stand-up comedian, born in Brooklyn, NY. He played Jimmy Olsen in the first seven years of the radio show The Adventures of Superman and Homer, best friend of Henry Aldrich on the teenage radio comedy of the same name. He starred as Young Mr...
as Mickey Strong - Marion BurnsMarion BurnsMarion Burns was an American film actress of the 1930s. She is best known for having starred opposite John Wayne in the 1935 film The Dawn Rider and opposite him again that same year in Paradise Canyon....
as Alyce Trevor - Henry TraversHenry TraversHenry Travers was an English actor. His most memorable role was that of the angel, Clarence, in the 1946 motion picture It's A Wonderful Life.-Early life:...
as Fuzzy - Paul HarveyPaul Harvey (actor)Paul Harvey was an American actor who appeared in at least 177 films.-Selected filmography:*They Shall Have Music *Behind the News *Moonlight Masquerade *Spellbound...
as Attoney Brian - Russell Hopton as Steve Karns
- Harry Green as Adolph