Birdbath

A strong character study and one of Patty Duke's finest efforts. Velma Sparrow (Duke) is a Big Apple waitress who doesn't have much going for herself. Her life between multiple jobs is pretty empty except for the occasional movie at "Lowee's Paradise House," ("You can really dream there," she says). But appearances are deceiving. There is a shocking reason for Velma's massive insecurities ("Your mother is rotten," restaurant customer James Farentino confides) and for why she seems just a little distracted when she starts opening up to Farentino. Story unfolds a little slowly in the beginning but then hold on -- there is a surprise ending. Patty Duke is touching and totally convincing here -- flashing brilliant at several points in her portrayal. Farentino is fine, too.