Meeting “Scout” Mary Badham - Oscar nominated actress in
“To Kill a Mockingbird”

Celebrating over 50 years of powerful literature and filmmaking.

I had the pleasure to meet Mary Badham aka “Scout”. I was fortunate enough to meet the little girl who is now an adult who so many people around the world have a connection with because of her innocent self. “Scout” in the film “ To Kill a Mockingbird” was caught in bigot situations that took place in the 1930’s but the same intolerance still was going on in the 1960’s when the movie was filmed. Ms. Badham was nominated as best supporting actress in what many consider as the United States of America’s national film. The book and movie have themes that are universal and timeless: childhood, class, citizenship, conscience, race, justice, friendship, love, and loneliness.

It seems the more I talk to people about the book and movie, the more people have a “To Kill a Mockingbird” moment.

My Mother and I took one of the off days from school last year to go to the Library and borrow the film “ To Kill a Mockingbird” My Mom, being from the South, and just plain being a person who enjoys history thought it was important that I see the film. Of course I ought to read the book too, she said. But that day, we saw the film and I started to Google “ Scout”. Well, it just so happened that that night, Mary Badham who portrays “Scout” was appearing in New Jersey at a college.

I asked Mom if we could go, and she asked Daddy how far it was. He said it was about an hour and a half. We went. I bought Ms. Badham flowers and wrote her a note saying she is an inspiration to me, and many others around the world regarding being tolerant to others. I also asked how she may speak at my school, and left my Mom’s number on the note. Well, she got in contact with my Mother and she did speak at my high school, in New York. “Scout” spoke to parents at night and to students during the day. The kernels of her life are important as they reflect a time period we think we know, but in reality it seems far removed from our daily lives today. Or maybe not, that is something to think about.

Ms. Badham spoke of her life growing up in the 1960’s, how as a little girl she went shopping for Easter clothes and traveled on the bus. She was told by a white red faced bus driver that she should know her place and sit in the front of the bus, while her black maid traveling with her had to get her “n” “a”…and sit in the back.

She spoke of her own awareness of bigotry within her community after being in California where there were mixes of nationalities and then coming back to Birmingham, Alabama where she could not speak to people of color, because it was just not done. “She was not in California” anymore.

Her experiences on the set of “To Kill a Mockingbird” were unusual because she was so young and so far away from home. She said she was treated with respect and kindness. Her relationship with Gregory Peck who played Atticus Finch was special. She said that Gregory Peck was “Atticus” in real life. Her character “Scout” was very similar to her own personality. She grew up with brothers, and hated to wear dresses, but had to because of the Southern affluent social structure of her family. However, she, like “Scout” enjoyed playing in the yard and being a tomboy.

On the movie set, the Director Robert Mulligan never had the kids meet the other actors until it was show time. So the very famous “ Hey Boo” scene was Ms. Badham acting completely natural, when she saw Boo Radley for the first time. And the scene when Mr. Radley was taking the trowel to the tree, covering the hole where mementoes were left by Boo for the kids, scared her out of her mind. Her eyes that were frightened were genuine. Because she had never seen the actor before, and what he did was so terrifying.

I have to say, I have seen the movie twice, and I cannot wait to read this book. I was so honored to meet the adult who played this little girl, “Scout” who has touched so many people. I am sure the folks that read this will have an “aha” moment when thinking about the film or book.