Pretty Baby (1978)

Actors: Brooke Shields (actress), Keith Carradine (actor), Louis Malle (writer), Louis Malle (director), Susan Sarandon (actress), Antonio Fargas (actor), Diana Scarwid (actress), Gerrit Graham (actor), Barbara Steele (actress), Louis Malle (producer), Don Hood (actor), Polly Platt (writer), Polly Platt (producer), Polly Platt (writer), Alan Greedy (miscellaneous crew),

Plot: In 1917, in the red light district Storyville, New Orleans, the prostitute Hattie lives with her twelve year-old daughter Violet in the fancy brothel of Madame Nell, where she works. Photographer Ernest J. Bellocq has an attraction to Hallie and Violet and he is an habitué of the whorehouse. One day, Madame Nell auctions Violet's virginity and the winner pays the fortune of US$ 400 to spend the night with the girl. Then Hattie marries a wealthy client and moves to Saint Louis, leaving Violet in the brothel alone. Violet decides to marry Bellocq and she moves to his house. Until the day that Hattie, who has overcome her past, comes to Bellocq's house with the intention to take Violet with her.

Keywords: 1910s, absent-mother, african-american, art, auction, bare-breasts, bathing, bathtub, black-american, brothel
Genres: Drama,
Taglines: In 1917, in the red-light district of New Orleans, they called her "Pretty Baby" 1917. The red-light district of New Orleans. The story of the women. The photographer. And the prostitute's daughter.

Quotes:

Frieda: Do not forget, this guy is buying a virgin, so she's got to act it right. You've got to give him the idea that you don't know nothing. It should be like a rape.::Josephine: You don't know. Could be a different kind of guy. Someone that wants you to act like she wants it.::Frieda: The main thing is to whimper and cry when he starts, but then you've got to act like it feels good.::Violet: I know what to do. Leave me alone.::Hattie: Well, don't act like you know it all. You won't even get a tip that way.::Fanny: Violet, you should touch him down there, you know, like it's accidental.::Violet: I know, I know all that.

Hattie: Before the war, we used to close down in the summertime. But since the naval base came, we're busy all year round, now. Can I buy you a drink?::Bellocq: No, thank you. Perhaps we can take another one now, if you like.::Hattie: Yeah, why not? My breasts are very nice, nicer than the other girls'. Do you think maybe I should show them a little better?::Bellocq: Yes, that would be better. Let me see.

Violet: You think of me as a child.

Violet: Madame Nell says there's something wrong with you, that you're a cream puff or something. She says you're pathetic, missing all the fun in life.::Bellocq: Perhaps Madame Nell is imagining she knows more than she does. Do you think she's having fun?::Violet: She's as happy as anybody. Are the afraid you'll get the little casino? The clap?::Bellocq: No.::Violet: Well, why, then?::Bellocq: Do I ask you questions? I don't have to explain myself to a child.::Violet: I am not a child!

Bellocq: [about Violet] What will become of her now?::Nell: What's going on with you? You don't have to worry about her. She's made a lot of money. She can do as she likes.::Bellocq: She's only twelve. She's completely alone.::Nell: Bellocq, you're in love with her.::Bellocq: Don't be absurd.::Nell: I've seen it a thousand times. I am old, and I know one thing - life is very long.

Nell: [starting the auction for Violet's virginity] A virgin, bona fide.::Brothel Patron: How old is she?::Nell: Do you want to put me in jail? She's just old enough. She's the finest delicacy New Orleans has to offer, and it's her wish that one of you gentleman be the first.

Nell: Sold to the man with the four hundred dollars cash.::Frieda: [to Violet] Do not give him any argument.::Violet's First Customer: Do you want some whiskey? [He hands Violet a glass of whiskey. She drinks it all] Well, Jesus, I didn't mean the whole damn thing.::Violet: I'm glad it's you.::Violet's First Customer: Why are you glad it's me?::Violet: Well, you look nice, and you have a nice chest. I can feel the steam inside me right through my dress.

[said to Bellocq twice]::Violet: I love you once. I love you twice. I love you more than beans and rice!

Bellocq: Leave me alone.::Violet: You hate me.::Bellocq: I have no time for hate or love.

Bellocq: Her father unknown, and her mother deserted the child.::Violet: My mother's name was Hildegarde. Hildegarde Marr. M-A-R-R.::Priest: And she was Caucasian, or other?::Violet: She was a whore, Father.