Drama Cult Classic

Ozark justice clashes with exploitation in this notorious hixploitation drama.

CHILD BRIDE

A THROBBING DRAMA OF SHACKLED YOUTH!

1938 · 1h 2m · NR · Drama · IMDB TMDB

A schoolteacher in a rural community campaigns to stop the practice of older men marrying underage girls.

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Vault Note

You can practically smell the moonshine and moral outrage in every reel.

Programmer's Pick

Child Bride is infamous for its blend of social crusade and exploitation, set against the backdrop of the Ozarks. Come for the taboo-busting premise and stay for a notorious nude swimming scene that earned this film its hixploitation badge. It’s rural moral panic with all the trimmings: moonshiners, one-room schoolhouses, and a little person with a shotgun.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Quick Answer

What is Child Bride about?

Child Bride is a 1938 American drama film directed by Harry Revier about a schoolteacher's fight to end child marriage in a remote Ozark community.

Synopsis

Miss Carol (Diana Durrell) is an idealistic teacher in a remote one-room schoolhouse. A native of the Ozarks herself, she is determined to stop the practice of child marriage, in which older men marry teen or preteen girls. Her campaign raises the ire of some local men, led by Jake Bolby (Warner Richmond), who one night drag her into the woods and tie her to a tree, with the intention of tarring and feathering her. Before they can do this, however, Angelo the dwarf (Angelo Rossitto) and Mr. Colton (George Humphreys) arrive with a shotgun to save the day.

Following this, Jake Bolby comes across young Jennie Colton (Shirley Mills) swimming naked. When her father dies, Bolby decides to take advantage of the opportunity to blackmail her mother into letting him marry the girl, threatening that otherwise he will see her hanged for murder. After he "courts" Jennie by giving her a doll, the two are married. It later turns out that this ceremony was illegal, as child marriage had been banned several days prior, but this point quickly becomes moot. Before Bolby can consummate the union, he is gunned down by Angelo. Jennie leaves his house with Freddie Nulty (Bob Bollinger).

Details & Specs

Director: Harry Revier
Writer: Harry Revier
Release: 1938
Runtime: 1h 2m
Country: United States of America
Language: English
Genres: Drama

Why Cult

Ozark Hixploitation

The film immerses you in rural Ozark life, complete with moonshine stills, pig sties, and a one-room schoolhouse.

Controversial Nude Scene

Shirley Mills’s skinny-dipping scene is a notorious moment in exploitation cinema, pushing the boundaries of 1930s censorship.

Moral Crusader Plot

The drama centers on a teacher’s campaign against child marriage, pitting small-town tradition against social reform.

Moonshiners & Misfits

Expect bootleggers, a shotgun-wielding little person, and a town full of colorful rural characters.

Themes & Keywords

Female Nudity Female Rear Nudity Female Topless Nudity Voyeurism Fistfight Female Star Appears Nude Skinny Dipping Two Word Title Blackmail Marriage Thunderstorm Little Person Bend Down Exposing Cleavage Melodrama German Shepherd Girl Next Door

Trailer

Questions from the Vault

What is Child Bride about? +

Child Bride is about an idealistic teacher in the Ozarks who fights to end the local practice of child marriage, facing fierce resistance from the community.

When was Child Bride released? +

Child Bride was released in 1938.

Who directed Child Bride? +

Harry Revier directed Child Bride.

How long is Child Bride? +

Child Bride has a runtime of 62 minutes.

What genre is Child Bride? +

Child Bride is a drama.

Where can I watch Child Bride? +

You can watch Child Bride on SassyFlix.

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