Patty McCormack who zoomed to stardom playing the ultimate of bad girls in The Bad Seed gets a chance at something a whole lot different in Kathy O. This film used to be broadcast a lot during Christmas time and has strangely been unavailable for years.
Kathy O'Rourke played by McCormack is a Hollywood child star all sweet as sugar candy on screen but one holy hellion off screen. Her career is managed by her aunt Betty Jane Croft, McCormack being an orphan. McCormack is quite the meal ticket and Croft controls every aspect of her life.
Dan Duryea plays the studio publicity man and he's assigned to work with his ex-wife Jan Sterling on a feature story. Duryea is now married to Mary Fickett and I have to say they have one civilized relationship as Fickett and Sterling used to be girl roommates back in the day.
McCormack is good, she can turn the charm on and off. But she's a troubled kid and she sees what she's really lacked when she's with Duryea, Fickett, and their two kids Ricky Kelman and Terry Kelman at Christmas time.
McCormack delivers a standout performance. It's also nice to see Dan Duryea in a sympathetic role. Mary Jane Croft best known for being a foil for Lucille Ball has a nice turn herself her as the business minded aunt who will protect her interests at all costs.
Sterling and McCormack have some nice bonding scenes as well. Away from all of her handlers McCormack let's her hair down. Later on her hair comes literally down.
Kathy O' still a nice family film which should resume being broadcast regularly.
