The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

If you're interested in the topic at hand, you should just watch it and judge yourself because the reviews have gone very biased by people that didn't even watch it and just hate (or love) the creator. I liked it, it was well written, narrated, and directed and it was about a topic that interests me.

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

His film only has part of the ED Wood class as seen in his standards. There is a twist at the end which we see coming for a country mile. What I found most annoying was the sound track. It consisted of the same few rifts on a Spanish guitar plus piano. Wood does many of his regular "actors" in this film. Lt. Bob Lawrence, Steve Reeves would later go on and play Hercules.The film also includes a Cotton Watts because.....they could.

If you've ever wanted to discover why Ed Wood is notorious, this isn't the best film to begin with. Certainly, it is a good example of bad film making, not, though, one of Wood's masterpieces – no rubber monsters, no hubcap spaceships. This is a piece of Wood Realism, much like Sinister Urge.The plot is coherent though the script poor. Dr. Gregor lives in Southern California and is a 'world famous' plastic surgeon. Such a pursuit must have been far less lucrative in the fifties because he lives in a very modest suburban rancher with his two children, Marylin and Don, who both look well into their thirties. Although the good doctor would buy them anything they wanted – by taking out a second mortgage, perhaps – Don opts for a life of crime with thoroughly bad sort Vic Brady. Needless to say, difficulties arise and the doctor must employ his plastic surgery skills. How different the story might have been if Ed had written Gregor as a proctologist.All of this is badly acted out by a group of Wood regulars, such as Dolores Fuller and Don Nagel, enhanced by a few interesting additions. Old movie hand, Herbert Rawlinson, plays Gregor, his last role before dying of lung cancer, and he clearly gasps for air to get out his lines. Steve 'Hercules' Reeves has his first speaking role, yet not to waste him Ed has him take off his shirt – one for the ladies and the discerning gentlemen. Brady is played by dependable D-grade movie sleaze, and frequent Woodworker, Tim Farrell.If you are familiar with Ed's oeuvre or simply like bad films, Jail Bait is great. For a grasp of Ed's magnificence try Plan Nine or Night of the Ghouls first.Oh, and if you've ever wanted to discover how on earth Minstrel Shows fell out of popularity, watch the comic stylings of Cotton Watts and Chick, included in this film for no particular reason, and that should sate your curiosity. The most horrible thing I've seen in an Ed Wood film, which is really saying something.

Ed Wood Jr. tries Film-Noir with this little crime drama. Lyle Talbot plays Inspector Johns and Steve Reeves as Lt. Bob Lawrence close in on a young man(Clancy Malone), the son of a prominent plastic surgeon(Herbert Rawlinson), who after hanging with a small time criminal(Timothy Farrell)is wanted for murder. His sister(Dolores Fuller)has been his best support for so long and now there is nothing she can do. His father wants to protect him and does have the last say-so in the finale. Wood's lack of talent shows all over JAIL BAIT. By the way, the title is not about a young girl...but a gun. Talbot does the best with what is offered him. And yes, Reeves is the future Hercules. Fuller would would later have small parts in movies, but her biggest claim to any fame is for writing a handful of songs for Elvis Presley.

Clancy Malone (as Don Gregor) is an "over 21" juvenile delinquent; he carries an illegal gun, gets arrested, is bailed out, and helps pal Timothy Farrell (as Vic Brady) commit burglaries. Mr. Malone's father Herbert Rawlinson (as Boris Gregor) is a very successful plastic surgeon; later, his skill comes in handy. Blonde Dolores Fuller (as Marilyn Gregor) is a concerned sister. Lawmen Lyle Talbot (as Inspector Johns) and Steve Reeves (as Bob Lawrence) investigate the unfortunate circumstances surrounding Malone's criminal escapades.Strong competition for worst performance honors. The Spanish guitar is annoying. "Cotton Watts and Chick" perform the "blackface" act. First feature film for Herculean Reeves, who gets to appear shirtless in a scene. Last feature film for Mr. Rawlinson. Not even good Wood. * Jail Bait (1954) Edward D. Wood Jr. ~ Lyle Talbot, Dolores Fuller, Herbert Rawlinson