Jail Bait

Yes, it's inept directing, bad acting, illogical continuity etc. etc.

But it's fascinating! Everybody can do a cheap shot at Wood and repeat the degrading clichés but it is my impression that most people don't judge for themselves or play along for the ride. It's worth it. It is a fact that hallmarks of a "good movie" are: 1) it entertained you, 2) you remember it with enthusiasm. And it did both for me.

The music was so bold and different and had everything to do with creating the atmosphere in the film. I really liked it because I felt it worked for it's purpose. It gave the film it's very own identity.

I would anytime rather see an Ed Wood film than most of the Hollywood clichés poured out these days. I prefer Ed Wood for Steven Spielberg any day because you feel Wood does it for his own sake, not just to please the lowest denominator.

How could you not like Ed Wood? Here was a man who loved film making for which he had absolutely no talent. He never gave up, he scrounged around for money and locations, used actors with no ability or who were desperate for work, and is treasured by all bad-movie buffs. He would probably be thrilled that his name is universally recognized albeit as the worst director of all times.

He does his magic again with "Jail Bait", an inept film to say the least. All that needs to be said about the acting, dialog, sets, and the annoying music has already been covered on these boards, so I won't repeat it. I'll just say that I wonder how Lyle Talbot, who had a pretty decent career in films in the 1930s and early 40s, ever sank to this level. He was a face that appeared all over moviedom for years and was a good actor in support of some of the big stars of the day. Times must have been very, very hard for him to stoop to this. We know why Bela Lugosi worked with Wood but maybe Talbot did it on a bet.....or not. It's always sad to see competent actors who once had careers, end up in this manner.

If you have never seen an Ed Wood film, put this one on your "must see list"..........really all of his films are "must sees" if you are a fan of "so bad that they are good" movies. Ed Wood, I salute you!!!!!!

Ed Wood is mostly known for his complete ineptness behind (and in front of) the camera in such "bad" film "classics" as "Glen or Glenda" "Bride of the Monster" and "Plan 9 From Outer Space." However, Wood's brief foray into film noir, "Jail Bait", is notable for a few reasons. The first and foremost of which is that it was the first screen appearance of the legendary muscle man Steve Reeves, who was later immortalized in the "Hercules" pictures. "Jail Bait" is a somewhat misleading title, as it is a phrase that usually refers to women who are trouble, more specifically, underaged women who are trouble. In this film that simply isn't the case - the "jail bait" is more the main character's fascination with the underworld. The Rhino Video release of this film is labeled the "director's cut" because it features a short burlesque striptease segment in the place of the original segment which featured a comedian in blackface. Unfortunately, the edit is so poorly executed that it becomes painfully obvious that this "director's cut" was most likely made by the owner of the copyright. The film is just as inept as most of Ed Wood's films, though it is a little more intriguing, as it is set in a less "fictional" environment and features attempts, late in the running time, at plot twists. Plus, lovely international model Theadora Thurman plays the femme fatale (though she's a terrible actress). A necessary rental for Ed Wood or "bad movie" fans, and possibly an educational video on how NOT to do film noir.

This movie is basically about a son of a famous plastic surgeon who causes trouble by carrying a gun and eventually ends up killing somebody when he was with his partner in crime. Obviously, his family becomes worried about him. Another one of those "rich kid gone bad" stories. Basically, all the acting in this movie is bad except for some detective. Delores Fuller stars as the kid's brother, and she had a pretty bad performance (at least she's good looking, though,) But still, the bad acting adds to the unintentional humor you will find with this. Also, Timothy Farrell stars as partner in crime Vic Brady, and his performance is the funniest especially after he says lines like "let's unwraps the Christmas presents and see the presents inside." (Tim would later star in a terrible movie, The Violent Years, another "rich kid gone bad story") Other lines include "plastic surgery can be strenuous and very, very complicating" and "carrying a gun can be dangerous business, miss." Other humor in this film are included in the scenes themselves. When you see the two thieves robbing a safe, you will see a picture of a gingerbread man on the wall for absolutely no reason. In addition, you'll also see a stupid dance sequence (I saw the director's cut) You should also watch out for this annoying guitar theme that is played throughout the entire movie.

My overall opinion though is that this is an entertaining movie because it was so bad (not to mention the obvious ending) It really didn't bore me as much as other trash flicks. It also should be watched since the director ,Ed Wood, is only known for Plan 9, Glen or Glenda, etc. You should really check this out if you're in the mood for something different.

None of Ed Wood Jnr's movies are not what I deem great, however I also don't consider any of them among the worst movies of all time or him the worst director. There are better written, made and acted movies out there, but no matter how bad they are they are kind of like guilty pleasures. I do prefer Plan 9 from Outer Space, Bride of the Monster and Glen and Glenda over Jail Bait, but Jail Bait is at least better than Night of the Ghouls, Orgy of the Dead and especially The Sinister Urge. That is my opinion of course. The ending is huge fun, obvious but it does have to be seen to be believed. Jail Bait while having a lot of continuity errors is also one of Wood's better-looking movies, the camera work is not as static and the sets not as wobbly. There is much that is really terrible though, especially the music which is very repetitive and cheesy, it also gets far too much very quickly. The dialogue is truly horrendous as well, though I admit I did bust a gut from laughing at some of the howlers. The story is thankfully more coherent than the likes of Orgy of the Dead and also not as deadly dull as The Sinister Urge, however it is rather sluggish and often illogical, the ending is the highlight and where things really liven up. The acting is really amateurish as well, the best is Herbert Rawlinson while the rest are as stiff as a robot. Steve Reeves does have sex appeal, but it doesn't disguise his very bland acting or that his shirtless scene felt out of place. In conclusion, terrible but somewhat entertaining. Even more entertaining actually is the facts behind the movie, they make for a fascinating read. 3/10 Bethany Cox