Watch Angel Baby

Angel Baby is a 1961 drama film starring George Hamilton, Mercedes McCambridge, and Joan Blondell. The movie tells the story of 15-year-old Ann, who lives with her alcoholic mother and stepfather in New York City's Lower East Side. She is determined to escape her difficult life, and when she meets Tom, a young and handsome man, she believes she has found her chance.

However, things don't go as planned, and Ann finds herself pregnant and alone. She leaves home, and with nowhere else to go, she turns to prostitution to survive. Her life takes a turn for the worse when she is arrested and thrown in jail, where she meets fellow inmate and former prostitute, Belle, played by the iconic Joan Blondell.

Belle takes Ann under her wing and tries to help her get her life back on track. She introduces her to Reverend Armstrong, a kind but unconventional clergyman who believes that he can heal her mental illness, which he believes led her to her current situation. Reverend Armstrong is played by Mercedes McCambridge, who gives a powerful performance as a woman struggling with her own demons.

As Reverend Armstrong tries to help Ann, Belle and Tom try to help her in their own way, but their efforts are complicated by their own personal problems. Tom is a reckless and immature young man who is trying to escape his own troubled past. Belle is dealing with her own depression and loneliness, as well as the guilt she feels over her own past as a prostitute.

The movie tackles some heavy themes, such as mental illness, prostitution, and poverty, and it does so in a way that feels realistic and empathetic. The characters are flawed but never caricatures, and the movie does a good job of showing the complexities of their lives and motivations.

The performances are top-notch, especially from Mercedes McCambridge and Joan Blondell. McCambridge delivers a nuanced and powerful performance as Reverend Armstrong, who is both compassionate and flawed. Blondell, in her final film role, is heartbreaking as Belle, who is haunted by her past and her present.

George Hamilton, in one of his early roles, does a good job as Tom, although his character is somewhat underdeveloped. He brings a youthful energy to the role, but it would have been nice to see more of his character arc.

The direction by Paul Wendkos is solid, with some effective and memorable visuals. The gritty New York City setting is captured well, and the movie does a good job of showing the contrasts between the haves and the have-nots.

Overall, Angel Baby is a powerful and affecting movie that tackles some difficult themes with grace and empathy. It may be a little dated in some ways, but its core message about the importance of compassion and understanding is just as relevant today as it was in 1961. Fans of classic cinema will not want to miss this underrated gem.

Angel Baby is a 1961 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.