La ribelle

Susan Oliver's movie debut has her in a reform school, where the Jean Inness character is convinced that she and the other women in charge are just going through the motions, while Sally Brophy thinks they have to do something to save these young women. Meanwhile, we watch the young women in a script that pitches itself halfway between MADCHEN IN UNIFORM and LADY IN A CAGE, but without any sexuality or overt violence.

The script by Dalton Trumbo and Sally Stubblefield (who had worked in a reform school) makes the point that the inmates are still essentially children, even if they are hiding and caring for one of their babies. There's something unengaged about the performances, that distance the real issues. That may be deliberate, intended to reflect that the young women do not view the reform school as more than a waiting time, and they will re-enter the world with no change. If so, that makes this a tragedy, but it also means that there is no change, and hence no story.

"Betsy Abel" (Melinda Plowman) is a teenage girl who has given birth to a baby outside of wedlock and because of that she is sent to a female boarding school until such time as a judge orders otherwise. While there she meets several other young women who have similar problems with society in general. One particular young lady goes by the name of "Green Eyes" (Susan Oliver) who has only a month or so until her release. As it so happens, Green Eyes has a boyfriend who visits her at the gate during curfew and together they plan on building a life together when she finally gets out. In the meantime though, another girl named "Cuckoo" (Norma Jean Nilsson) does something totally reckless which creates huge problems for everyone. Now rather than reveal any more of this movie I will just say that this was a fairly interesting drama which managed to illustrate a certain societal mindset that was prevalent during this period of time in the United States. Not all of it is flattering. Be that as it may, while the movie poster may indicate otherwise, this particular film isn't strictly focused on Susan Oliver's character as much as it is about several other people as well. The drama and the acting are both decent and as a result I have rated this movie accordingly. Slightly above average.

I used to catch this film fairly regularly back in the days when local TV stations ran the Late Show, the Late-Late Show, the Omigosh Are YOU Still Up? Show etc. instead of infomercials (**sigh...**) "Gone With the Wind" it's not, but I found it surprisingly memorable anyway and would like to find it on VHS or DVD someday. a lot of the movies I saw in those days--well, I don't remember having seen them until I see them again on AMC or Turner, or on the bargain-basement video rack at Wal-Mart. for some reason, "The Green-Eyed Blonde" stuck (I can even remember the downbeat theme music!) I've never seen it in any company's video catalog, though... (***SIGH...***)

Provocative-for-the-time B-film, with a memorable performance by winsome Susan Oliver as a tough young woman in a woman's prison. This film is more watchable than most B/W B-films of the 1950s, and concludes with a gripping, shocking climax. Watch this on video as a fun escape/indulgence on a rainy Saturday afternoon with a steaming cup of Suisse Mocha...

Betsy Abel is the new girl at a Los Angeles reform school for girls. She is distraught after giving up her baby. She refuses to name the baby's father and hates the sight of the baby. Other girls include the volatile Cuckoo and short timer Green Eyes (Susan Oliver). New kind-hearted teacher Maggie Wilson tries to be the girls' friend. Cuckoo steals Betsy's baby out of her parents' car. The girls decide to hide the baby.

I actually like for a good while. It's not going over the top until Girls Gone Wild. I get the idea of that section, but the movie feels less real with it. Maybe that scene should done with one or two girls. I like a lot of these young performers. This seems to be transitioning from the 50's to the 60's.