MovieChat Forums > Sorry, Wrong Number (1948) Discussion > the baby with the police officer

the baby with the police officer

posted 18 years ago by BERGDORF
24 replies | jump to latest

"Sorry Wrong Number" is on my favorites and each time I watch it, I am so curious as to who was the little black baby girl at the precint waiting for her Momma to come & get her? First of all somebody was really smart in using a black "toddler" at that time in hollywood when black children were usually shown in derogatory way. (Like offspring of slaves/maids with their hair standing up all over their heads, wearing tattered clothing) But this adorable toddler was the epitome of the lost child who steals the heart of the crusty police captain! The gentleman who play the policeman was so comically touching when he told LEONA that he had more pressing busines on his desk at the time to attend to!

"WE DON'T LIVE IN THAT KIND OF A WORLD THELMA"

[–] Danusha_Goska 17 years ago

and the baby is wearing a ribbon that says "Olive Branch."

What's that all about?

I thought it was racist ... the black mother couldn't keep track of her kid; the white guy had to rescue the baby.

But we probably shouldn't even go there ...

but if anyone knows what that "olive branch" ribbon is all about, please explain.

[–] AliciaHuberman59 16 years ago

I have mixed emotions about that whole scene...while I think it's good that the child isn't portrayed sterotypically of the time (per original poster's comments), I too have a problem with the child being lost, rescued by the white cop (although he was a complete gentleman)...I have copy of tape and will get back with any new info re "olive branch ribbon".

[–] xylonian-1 16 years ago

I just admit I did try to google the information provided about the baby (so cute) but didn't come up with anything....

Urania to Terpsichore: "You're so quiet. Musing????"

[–] Jane_Doe01 16 years ago

Whoa, this is some of the most unbelievable *beep* sh-t I've ever read. "Omg, a black babie being savd by a whitey, thats sooo raycest!!11" WTF(Because heaven forbid, a police officer do his job if a person in need of color?)??? Don't you idiots ever stop to think of how stupid something you're about to say may sound? Or is it that you complain about the most absolutely trivial things, just as an excuse to continually show off your pathetic philosophy of "sticking it to the man"?
I mean, why don't you uber-uptight twits just f-ck off to remote cave if you're so easily offended by everything? Certainly, one would think you'd stay away from watching anything created in the non-politically correct, "white male-positive" olden era.

But we probably shouldn't even go there ...

You already did, retard.
God I hate people.

[–] bron-tay 11 years ago

Thank you, thank you, Jane Doe!

What a fooking, race-hyping idiot that "Danusha" is.

~~~~~~~
Please put some dashes above your sig line so I won't think it's part of your dumb post.

[–] gribfritz2 11 years ago

So if a white person rescues a black person it is racism because the black person should be able to take care of himself? wtf?! I simply do not follow the racist line of thought there. Of course, if there was no black representation, that too would be racist. Perhaps all the characters should have been black. Then they can rescue each other until the cows come home and there would be no racism. Or perhaps just all of the heroic characters could be black and they should rescue everyone else. Yes. That wouldn't be racism at all, as long as their color isn't white.

[–] KutWrite (1220) 5 years ago

You just summarized how movies are made in 2019.

Except, include with "minority," any LGBTQILSMFT or female, who cannot be shown to have any flaws at all.

Here's a good summary of "The New Way":

https://youtu.be/-TBR9VVKIYU

[–] Solid_Gold 13 years ago

I thought it was racist ... the black mother couldn't keep track of her kid; the white guy had to rescue the baby.

OMG you friggin' idiot! Danusha_Goska you are too funny . The baby girl was clean and well taken care of, which would imply that her parents take good care of her. If she looked all grubby and ghetto with torn clothes and uncombed hair, then maybe you could argue your point of a negligent black mommy who needs a white person to save her baby.

If you can't beat them, arrange to have them beaten

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Adler-99 16 years ago

Sometimes a baby is just a baby. It obviously made no difference to the movie whether she was black or white. I thought she was absolutely adorable.

[–] mozli 16 years ago

That whole little scene is perfect. It is called counterpoint to the main theme for the uneducated and uninformed.

[–] noirgirl 15 years ago

The ribbon says Olive Branch #13, and I think the lower section says prize. So it was probably a cute baby contest, perhaps for a union group or society?

[–] IFeedPigeons 14 years ago

"The ribbon says Olive Branch #13, and I think the lower section says prize. So it was probably a cute baby contest, perhaps for a union group or society?"

The ribbon coming down on the left says: "I Will Arise." I am a cruddy Catholic, but metaphorically speaking I believe that 'extending an olive branch' to someone means to help them, usually selflessly, so it may have a religious connotation; perhaps s group similar to The Salvation Army. Just speculating. Anyhow, the baby was really cute.

[–] KutWrite (1220) 5 years ago

Close...

"Extending an olive branch" is a peace offering.

A dove carrying an olive branch is a common symbol of peace.

The cute baby contest theory is the strongest one I've read here.

[–] monsieurzy 15 years ago

A lost child, a caring cop..that's ALL it is!!...stop over analyzing!!

[–] Solid_Gold 13 years ago

A lost child, a caring cop..that's ALL it is!!...stop over analyzing!!

Well said monsieurzy ! Idiots who overanalyze this scene and claim racism are losers with too much time on their hands! I found this to be such a sweet and endearing scene!

If you can't beat them, arrange to have them beaten

[–] MsELLERYqueen2 9 years ago

Nicely put! 

~~
💕 JimHutton (1934-79) and ElleryQueen 👍

[–] Masey3 15 years ago

I agree it was an endearing scene. An alternative view never even occurred to me, even with it being an older film. And I'm not naive. I wonder sometimes why people feel the need to reach for negativity in any & every situation. It's all around us all the time, we certainly don't need to try & stretch reality to find it. But, sadly, someone always does.

"Hey, how come Andrew gets to get up? If he gets up...we'll all get up...IT'LL BE ANARCHY!!"

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] mikekrit62 10 years ago

Unfortunately, there are people called "trolls" who make ridiculous statements in the sad hope that it will generate angry replies that makes them giggle with delight. Or, they hope to get responses to confirm their opinion that others are horrible people.

And then, there are just lots of idiots out there too.

[–] Moon_and_New_York_City 9 years ago

Funny .....to my Mom, this was the most horrifying scene of the whole movie! It drove her crazy when the police officer went to answer the phone and left the baby on the table! She just knew the baby would fall off!

the best that you can do is fall in love

[–] KutWrite (1220) 5 years ago

Being an older guy, I had a similar feeling.

I remember, though, that someone who's had many kids takes "chances": lie that all day, knowing kids' natural instincts bear leaving them alone for a few milliseconds.

I loved the scene. I think the "cute baby contest" theory is the strongest I've read.

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] 9 years ago

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