The Cry Baby Killer (1958)

38% of users liked it
(294 ratings)

This odd drama features Jack Nicholson, then only 21-years old, in his first feature film. He plays a young delinquent who thinks he may have killed one of the two thugs who were pursuing him. He hides out in a local drive-in where he takes three hostages and barricades himself and them in a… More This odd drama features Jack Nicholson, then only 21-years old, in his first feature film. He plays a young delinquent who thinks he may have killed one of the two thugs who were pursuing him. He hides out in a local drive-in where he takes three hostages and barricades himself and them in a storeroom. Police surround the place and try to negotiate with the frightened boy but even his friends cannot reach him. Meanwhile, the media has learned of the situation and soon a TV news crew arrives followed by a crowd of spectators. Soon concessions are being sold, and the event becomes a circus. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 2 min.
Directed By: Barbara Knudson, Brett Halsey
Genres: Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

In Theaters: Aug 17, 1958 Wide
On DVD: Nov 21, 2006

Critic Reviews

Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Desinteressante em todos os aspectos (visualmente, narrativamente, tematicamente), ainda peca pelo moralismo ultrapassado, mantendo-se historicamente relevante apenas por ter marcado a estreia de Nicholson no Cinema.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...a slow-moving and surprisingly uneventful piece of work.
Ryan Cracknell, Calgary Movies
Heavy in dialoge, the scenes plod along without much rhythm.

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

This is Nicholson's first big movie role, and he does his best, but the story is predictable, and the themes are heavy handed. Overall, not such a good movie, but it's interesting to see anyway.