This was recommended to me since I watched Because of Eve. Because the world needs more syphilis dramas, I decided to check it out. I have to say, I liked the opening where a friendly sounding narrator says, “Many people gave their time to help tell this story,” before introducing the cast. We soon learn this isn’t some kind of folksy, homespun, Our Town-style opening, but rather an upfront apology to the audience for all the amateurish acting we’re about to see.
Chicken farmer John (Boyce Brown) goes into business with his crusty father-in-law, who blames him for everything that goes wrong on the farm. He also has to deal with nagging wife Liza (Marjory Morris) and his insufferable mother-in-law. In an effort to get away from all their pestering, John goes out for a night on the town and has a one-night stand with a waitress named Nell (Paula Haygood), who unbeknownst to her, has syphilis. Flash-forward a few months, and Liza is expecting. Nell, desperate to find John, finally tracks him down to let him know he’s been infected. But will it be enough notice to prevent the baby from being born with syphilis?
Birthright was made with good intentions in Athens, Georgia to help inform and educate southern folk about the importance of syphilis detection and treatment. Of course, the filmmakers had to throw a little skin in there just to get people in the door. That’s well and good, but I think it’s kind of shitty that they throw a lot of blame on the wife for not going to the doctor sooner. I mean Jesus, that’s nowhere near as bad as, say, her husband having a one-night stand and bringing home VD. In fact, the husband gets off the hook so easily for his infidelity that it’s almost insulting. Not to mention the fact that a potential source of drama goes untapped as he’s almost immediately forgiven for all wrongdoing. Director Bill Clifford does a good job addressing the ticking timebomb aspect of treating the baby as soon as possible though.
There is a funny scene where the waitress learns she has syphilis and is informed to contact her previous sex partners. The nurse even says, “If they’re married, they will probably make their wives sick with syphilis”! I’m not sure how true this all rings, but it’s a hilarious way to hammer home a plot point.
As an “Adults Only Roadshow Attraction”, Birthright hits its marks. If you were left frustrated by the brief, unflattering, and unsexy glimpse of Haygood topless (she looks like a deer in headlights) early in the picture, don’t fret. Hang in there because the “square up” reel is pretty gnarly. The last ten minutes is a birth of a baby scene that has a novelty of the kid being breech. That means instead of coming out headfirst, it’s birthed butt first, which requires extra maneuvering by the obstetrician. Sure, it’s not quite enough to make it all worthwhile, but it’s at least something.
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