MovieChat Forums > Baby Doll (1956) Discussion > Oh, come on (POSSIBLE SPOILERS)

Oh, come on (POSSIBLE SPOILERS)

posted 17 years ago by counterrevolutionary
9 replies | jump to latest

Does anyone really think that the "affidavit" would stand up in any court in this country?

It wasn't notarized, it was obtained under duress, and Baby Doll had no personal knowledge of what she had sworn to. All she could testify to is when Archie Lee left the house and when he returned, as any competent defense lawyer would certainly bring out on the stand. Unless she repudiated the affidavit and admitted why she signed it, she'd be lucky to avoid a perjury charge.

Anybody think a jury is going to convict Archie Lee after learning that Vacarro went to all that trouble to obtain a false affidavit by threats of violence? Vacarro, on the other hand, stands a very good chance of going to prison. What a great plan!

Jeez, if all Sicilians were like that, J. Edgar Hoover would have cleaned up Cosa Nostra in about three weeks.

[–] moonspinner55 17 years ago

Some very accurate observations here--but like Baby Doll surmises at the end, it may be the last time she ever sees Vacarro, who would probably fight Archie Lee fruitlessly and eventually give up and rebuild.

[–] glgooch78 16 years ago

This is where your suspension of disbelief is required. Vacarro wouldn't give the local law enforcement his affidavit because he knew that as friends of Archie Lee, whether lawmen or not, they'd probably destroy the document. The implication is that the law in the South is so "country" and corrupt that maybe if he can get that affidavit into the right hands, perhaps in the hands of a county official who doesn't know Archie Lee (and perhaps one he could persuade with his money or smarts), he may be able to make his charge of arson stick.

Regardless, it's more important to realize that the affidavit is not Vacarro's true victory and is certainly not the focus of this story. Vacarro says that as a Sicilian, he was taught to enact revenge through personal justice, his own justice. And revenge is certainly what he got, as he essentially took Archie Lee's most precious possession: Baby Doll. Really, who even cares whether he gets Archie Lee convicted of arson or not. He not only seduces his wife and steals her innocence, but also wins over Aunt Rose Comfort and humiliates Archie Lee in front of all his "negro" workers and his friends. That is the real victory. Whether Archie Lee triumphs in his business or not, his personal life is ruined.

[–] boarding_angel 16 years ago

I agree with glgooch78, the real revenge was the way he destroyed Archie personal life... have to say that I enjoyed the movie ememsly!

[–] flick11 14 years ago

I just happened to catch this film tonight, and I only have one criticism. I expected Archie to be the leading man in the film, and, in fact, he and Baby Doll dominated the first part of the movie. But when Vaccaro came on the scene with his eye flirting scene with Baby Doll, and Archie conveniently put them together while he went to work, Vacarro became the new leading man, and, even though we all know that there was going to be a confrontation scene with Archie and Vaccaro, I wondered what happened to Archie in the second part of the film. It became a film in 2 acts.

Perhaps the original Williams stageplay was organized like that.

[–] Dudley_Dawson 16 years ago

This was before Law & Order and CSI and all those police procedurals that educated audiences on what's admissible and what's not.

[–] wtl471629 16 years ago

I agree counter. I thought about that when I saw the movie and they were even starting to get strict in 1956. A half way good lawyer would have unmercifully brought those facts out and put Vacarro on the defensive. It would be interesting. I somehow think maybe a DA wouldn't even go to trial on it. Too bad they didn't do a sequel. That would be better than a remake.

[–] Karl Self 15 years ago

Good points, Counter.
Let's face it, the plot of Baby Doll is generally somewhat histrionic and overstretched.

[–] WarpedRecord 14 years ago

Indeed. And by "somewhat," I'd say "extremely." Still, this is a great potboiler.

[–] katemckinneycake 12 years ago

Well, it's worth noting that by the end of the movie she was putty in his hands...she would probably do whatever she could to help him get his victory. At any rate, wouldn't he have insurance to help re-build the gin? Taking Baby Doll is definitely the best revenge!