Like many others, I was disappointed in the Hollywood ending. Divine retribution really watered down the power of the picture. The whole notion here is that it is A LITTLE GIRL who is murdering people (including other children) and that she gets away with it.

While very much appearing as a stage play on film, I don't think it hurts the picture too much. It's the uncomfortable feeling we get from the subject matter that's the key. And that IS the key to the awful feeling we get in the pit of our stomach when we see the movie. I can't imagine the reaction that 50's audiences had when watching the movie or seeing the stage production. It was the beginning of questioning the roles of race relations, justice, trust in government and the business sector. Our values and ideas were changing. In short, as a nation, we were growing up and this was reflected in our entertainment options. Elvis brought sex into our living rooms on the television screens and on the radio, and at the theatre we saw a little girl murdering other people.