A preteen girl lives as a prostitute in New Orleans in 1917.
Director:
Writers:
Awards:
- Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 5 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Brooke Shields | ... |
Violet
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| Keith Carradine | ... |
Bellocq
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| Susan Sarandon | ... |
Hattie
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| Frances Faye | ... |
Nell
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| Antonio Fargas | ... |
Professor
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Matthew Anton | ... |
Red Top
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| Diana Scarwid | ... |
Frieda
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| Barbara Steele | ... |
Josephine
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Seret Scott | ... |
Flora
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Cheryl Markowitz | ... |
Gussie
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Susan Manskey | ... |
Fanny
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Laura Zimmerman | ... |
Agnes
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Miz Mary | ... |
Odette
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| Gerrit Graham | ... |
Highpockets
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| Mae Mercer | ... |
Mama Mosebery
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| Don Hood | ... |
Alfred Fuller
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Pat Pierre Perkins | ... |
Ola Mae
(as Pat Perkins)
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Von Eric Thomas | ... |
Nonny
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Sasha Holliday | ... |
Justine
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Lisa Shames | ... |
Antonia
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Henry Braden | ... |
Harry
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Patrick M. Burke | ... |
Fanny's Customer
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C.C. Courtney | ... |
Naval Officer
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Joe Catalanotto | ... |
Hattie's Customer
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Philip H. Sizeler | ... |
Senator
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Don Lutenbacher | ... |
Violet's First Customer
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Hobe May | ... |
Farmer
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Stocker Fontelieu | ... |
Brothel Patron (uncredited)
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Bill Holliday | ... |
Gussie's Client (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Louis Malle | ||
Written by
| Polly Platt | ... | (story) |
| Polly Platt | ... | (screenplay) |
| Louis Malle | ... | (story) |
Produced by
| Louis Malle | ... | producer |
| Polly Platt | ... | associate producer |
Cinematography by
| Sven Nykvist | ||
Editing by
| Suzanne Fenn | ||
Editorial Department
| Suzanne Baron | ... | supervising editor |
| Ruth Blakeslee | ... | assistant editor |
| Mateel Hoppe | ... | assistant editor |
| Alice Miller | ... | assistant editor |
| Shane Strickland | ... | Junior Colorist |
Casting By
| Gary Chason | ||
| Juliet Taylor | ||
Production Design by
| Trevor Williams | ||
Set Decoration by
| James L. Berkey | ... | (as Jim Berkey) |
Makeup Department
| Dave Grayson | ... | makeup artist |
| Charlene Johnson | ... | hair stylist |
| Charlene Roberson | ... | makeup artist |
Production Management
| Tony Wade | ... | unit production manager |
| Lindsley Parsons Jr. | ... | executive production manager: Paramount (uncredited) |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Donald Heitzer | ... | assistant director (as Don Heitzer) |
| Toby Lovallo | ... | second assistant director |
| John M. Poer | ... | assistant director |
Art Department
| Mark Wade | ... | property master |
| Richard Speed | ... | carpenter's apprentice (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Donald F. Johnson | ... | sound mixer (as Don Johnson) |
| Dick Vorisek | ... | sound re-recordist |
| Skip Godwin | ... | sound engineer (uncredited) |
| Don MacDougall | ... | re-recording mixer (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Maureen Lambray | ... | special photography |
| Michael McGowan | ... | camera operator (as Mike McGowan) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Mina Mittelman | ... | costume supervisor |
Music Department
| Raymond Burke | ... | musician: clarinet |
| Louis Cottrell | ... | musician: clarinet |
| Bob Greene | ... | musician: piano solo |
| Ferdinand 'Jelly Roll' Morton | ... | composer: additional music |
| Kid Thomas | ... | musician: trumpet |
| Jerry Wexler | ... | music adaptor / music supervisor |
Script and Continuity Department
| Alan Greedy | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| Greg Van Dyke | ... | transportation coordinator (uncredited) |
Additional Crew
| Al Rose | ... | researcher |
| I. Ricardo Martinez | ... | on-set medic (uncredited) |
| Karen Moore | ... | assistant to director (uncredited) |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Paramount Pictures (1978) (United States) (theatrical)
- United International Pictures (UIP) (1978) (West Germany) (theatrical)
- Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1978) (Norway) (theatrical)
- Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1978) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1978) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1979) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1979) (New Zealand) (theatrical)
- Sonoro Filme (1979) (Portugal) (theatrical)
- Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1979) (Brazil) (theatrical)
- Paramount Films of India (1988) (India) (theatrical)
- CIC Video (West Germany) (VHS)
- Paramount Home Entertainment (2003) (United States) (DVD)
- Paramount Home Entertainment (2007) (Germany) (DVD)
- Paramount Home Entertainment (2007) (Netherlands) (DVD)
- Paramount Home Entertainment (2007) (United Kingdom) (DVD)
- Kino Lorber (2023) (United States) (Blu-ray)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- The New Orleans Film Commission (film commission)
- The New Orleans Ragtime Orchestra (additional music performed by)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
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. Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
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| Taglines | The image of an adult world through a child's eyes. See more » |
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| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
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Additional Details
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Did You Know?
| Trivia | The screenplay was based on the first-hand recollections of the operations of New Orleans' "Red Light" prostitution district published in the book "Storyville, New Orleans: Being an Authentic, Illustrated Account of the Notorious Red Light District" by Al Rose. The book contains many of photos of New Orleans prostitutes taken by E.J. Bellocq, the character played by Keith Carradine in the movie. See more » |
| Goofs | In one scene, Violet holds a plastic doll as opposed to a composite one. Plastic dolls weren't available until the late 1940s. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Edited into Chop Suey (2001). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Tiger Rag See more » |
| Crazy Credits | The closing credits include a card that states, "With our gratitude for the priceless music of FERDINAND "JELLY ROLL" MORTON." See more » |
| Quotes |
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. See more » |