Born to Be Bad (1934)

In the harsh urban of the 1930s, we encounter Letty, a hardened young woman. Pregnant, alone, and destitute at just fifteen, she makes a vow - her child, Mickey, will not be a victim like her. She cultivates a street-savvy survivalist in little Mickey, teaching him to lie, cheat, and steal, essential skills in their world. The narrative unfolds when seven-and-a-half-year-old Mickey, playfully hitching a ride on a delivery truck with his roller skates, crosses paths with Mal, a wealthy man, in a minor truck collision. Spotting an opportunity in Mal's wealth, Letty masterminds a devious plan to exploit him. However, her plot unravels, exposing her unfit parenting, and Mickey is stripped away from her. Mal, alongside his wife Alice who is unable to bear children, embraces Mickey, offering him a loving home and the parental affection he's been deprived of. Meanwhile, Letty, green with envy over Mickey's newfound happiness and still viewing Mal as her golden ticket, seduces him and records the incident, intending to blackmail him. However, her scheme crumbles when Mal confesses to Alice, who accepts the situation. Letty is forced to confront a harsh reality and learns a bitter lesson about selfless love. She ultimately recognizes that Mickey's well-being surpasses her own ambitions, marking a transformative twist in her life. The story of "Born to Be Bad" is a poignant exploration of love, sacrifice, and the lengths one will go to provide a better life for their child.

Born to Be Bad is a drama movie featuring Loretta Young and directed by Lowell Sherman.

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