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Born to Be Bad (1950)

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Critic Reviews: 4
Fresh: 3 | Rotten: 1

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 1
Fresh: 1 | Rotten: 0

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Average Rating: 3.5/5
User Ratings: 222

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Movie Info

One of the most oft-revived of the pre-Technicolor Nicholas Ray efforts, Born to Be Bad offers us the spectacle of Joan Fontaine portraying a character described as "a cross between Lucrezia Borgia and Peg O' My Heart". For the benefit of her wealthy husband Zachary Scott and his family, Fontaine adopts a facade of wide-eyed sweetness. Bored with her hubby, she inaugurates a romance with novelist Robert Ryan. All her carefully crafted calculations come acropper when both men discover that she's

PG, 1 hr. 33 min.

Drama

Directed By: Nicholas Ray

In Theaters: Aug 27, 1950 Wide

On DVD: Jan 16, 1991

Odeon Entertainment

Born to Be Bad Trailer & Photos

Cast

Joan Fontaine
Christabel Caine
Robert Ryan
Nick
Zachary Scott
Curtis
Joan Leslie
Donna
Mel Ferrer
Gobby
Harold Vermilyea
John Caine
Virginia Farmer
Aunt Clara
Kathleen Howard
Mrs. Bolton
Dick Ryan
Arthur
Bess Flowers
Mrs. Worthington
Joy Hallward
Mrs. Porter
Hazel Boyne
Committee Woman
Irving Bacon
Jewelry Salesman
Gordon Oliver
Lawyer
Barry Brooks
Man
Ann Burr
Schoolgirl
Jack Chefe
Man
Donald Dillaway
Photographer
Sam Harris
Old Man at Ball
Bobby Johnson
Kenneth
Peggy Leon
Caine's Secretary
Sam Lufkin
Taxi Driver
John Mitchum
Guest
Al Murphy
Man
Frank Arnold
Man at Art Gallery
Ray Johnson
Guest
Homer Dickenson
Art Gallery Attendant

Critic Reviews for Born to Be Bad

All Critics (4) | Top Critics (1) | Fresh (3) | Rotten (1)

This is a lively, vicious, and daring film.

October 22, 2007 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

Lively romantic melodrama with a creative use of architecture.

January 30, 2012 Full Review Source: Classic Film and Television

| Comment

Michael E. Grost

Classic Film and Television

Ray's interest in the psychological state of his protagonist and its relationship to visual style makes the film mesmerizing.

October 22, 2007 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide

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TV Guide's Movie Guide

Trashy but stylishly entertaining melodrama.

December 28, 2004 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews

| Comment

Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

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Audience Reviews for Born to Be Bad

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Low-rent All About Eve, but it's not really fair to compare it to one of the greatest films ever made - especially since it came out in the same year. Closer also came to mind. Fontaine is quite good, as is Robert Ryan, but the real star of the show is Mel Ferrer - he steals every scene. Which is surprising, since I've

October 7, 2010

Timothy Maddocks

This is a good, sexy movie because of Joan Fontaine and her two beaus, leading actors: Zachary Scott and Robert Ryan. Robert Ryan matches Joan Fontaine with zest and sexy talk. It's fun to watch! This movie delivers! Women (myself included) will love this movie as a late Saturday night movie.

December 28, 2009