31 Days of Horror: The Bad Seed (1956)

Autumn is here; as the leaves fall and the air turns crisp, let's turn to some of my favorite terrifying titles. Maybe you'll discover {or rediscover} a gem. Check back tomorrow for another gruesome must-see!

As I see it, The Bad Seed is an underrated B&W title that examines pure evil {much like Michael Myers}. Rhoda Penmark (Patty McCormack) is an adorable, grade-schooler that everyone adores. Unfortunately for everyone, Rhoda is also the spawn of some whacked-out genetics. No one suspects a thing as little Rhoda picks off her victims...except the simple janitor, LeRoy (Henry Jones). It's only when Rhoda's schoolmate dies suspiciously, that her mother, Christine (Nancy Kelly), begins to suspect her own daughter. For her, it just might be too late.

Thanks to a pitch perfect screenplay The Bad Seed is more than an effectual psychological thriller. Consider the limited set and the dialogue dependant story. Daringly different for its time period, this movie can still send chills up the spine. The way Rhoda flits from precocious to cold-blooded will have you sick to your stomach. LeRoy's taunting of Rhoda throughout the film gives another element to keep you on edge.

Whether or not The Bad Seed can be truly classified as horror is up for debate. While not gruesome or torturous by nature, any angelic creature with Beelzebub's soul is certainly scary.