Pretty Baby (1978)


Susan Sarandon          Hattie
Keith Carradine         Bellocq
Brooke Shields          Violet
Frances Faye            Nell
Antonio Fargas          Piano Player
Gerrit Graham           Highpockets
Mae Mercer (II)         Mama Mosebery
Diana Scarwid           Frida
Barbara Steele          Josephine
Matthew Anton           Red Top
Seret Scott             Flora
Cheryl Markowitz        Gussie
Susan Manskey           Fanny
Laura Zimmerman         Agnes
Miz Mary                Odette
Don Hood                Alfred Fuller

Directed by:           Louis Malle
Produced by:           Louis Malle


In 1917 New Orleans, photographer Ernest J. Bellocq goes to the red-light district to document the 
last days of legal prostitution. At the home of Madame Nell, he meets a prostitute named Hattie and 
her 12-year-old daughter, Violet, who is captivated by him. A few months later, when Hattie marries 
and moves away, leaving the Violet behind, Nell is preparing to auction off the little girl's virginity 
and Violet decides that she wants to marry Bellocq.

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1917, the last months of legal prostitution in Storyville - New Orleans' red-light district. Hattie, 
a prostitute at the elegant home of Madame Nell, and her 12-year-old daughter Violet are the only ones 
awake with photographer Ernest J. Bellocq comes by with his camera. He takes pictures of Hattie and he 
fascinates Violet. Over the next few months, Nell arranges for the auction of Violet's virginity, Hattie 
marries and goes to St. Louis leaving Violet behind, and Violet determines to marry Bellocq. Is this 
idyllic or is she just a girl wearing rouge, soon to return to childhood?