Mississippi, 1953. Gangly, yet likable and persistent Billy Joe McAllister (an excellent and engaging performance by Robby Benson) falls in love with precocious fifteen-year-old Bobbie Lee Hartley (a fine and appealing performance by Glynnis O'Connor). However, things go awry after Billy Joe becomes ashamed and suicidal over something awful he did at a jamboree while drunk out of his mind.

Director Max Baer Jr., working from a compelling script by Herman Raucher, offers a strong downhome rural atmosphere and a vivid depiction of the 1950's period setting; it's this surprisingly potent sense of time and place along with the stark rendering of the era's stifling sexual mores centered on the concepts of guilt and sin which in turn give this movie a sinewy dramatic punch. The winning and natural chemistry between Benson and O'Connor further holds the film together; they receive sturdy support from Joan Hotchkis as Bobbie Lee's doting mom Anna, Sandy McPeak as her no-nonsense dad Glenn, James Best as amiable saw mill boss Dewey Barksdale, and Terence Goodman as Bobbie Lee's hearty brother James. Michael Hugo's pretty cinematography provides a lovely picturesque look. Michael Legrand's delicately melodic score hits the harmonic spot. A solid little film.

Something about the times I think made Bobbie Gentry's Old To Billie Joe a real stand out even today in our popular music and culture. The assassinations, the Vietnam War, post civil rights era and finally that spark of revolution from Stonewall. The last when a movie was made of Bobbie Gentry's narrative song it was given a gay theme.

Even in 2017 I can see this same story being played out exactly the same. This awkward kid Billy Joe McAllister kind of likes Bobby Lee Hartley. But one night getting totally plastered he gives into a man who has his way with him.

The overwhelming guilt that Robby Benson feels is that he liked it. But according to the mores of his bible belt community this is the worst thing possible. Then he has trouble with Glynis O'Connor playing Bobby Lee. Liked with a guy, couldn't perform with a girl, he felt he had no reason to live. In some of our communities that attitude holds sway still. Possibly Benson might have taken some snake oil conversion therapy and hope for a cure. Nothing worse than being gay except being gay in the bible belt.

At the end we learn it was his employer James Best who seduced him and Best and O'Connor decide what to do. Some might scoff but I think what O'Connor does is simple and sweet in her own way. One thing is certain, she certainly knows how the minds of her neighbors work.

A wonderful film inspired by a great ballad.

Glynnis O'Connor gives a very fine performance as a small town young woman in 1953 involved in a mercurial romance with an erratic young man; tragedy ensues. Herman Raucher's screenplay, based on the evocative 1967 song by Bobbie Gentry, begins promisingly, and director Max Baer (Jr.) goes for a romantically rural look and feel that seems right on-target. Unfortunately, the story takes an uncomfortable turn in the second-half that, when viewed today, is terribly clichéd, if not downright offensive. O'Connor re-teams with her 1973 "Jeremy" co-star Robby Benson, and they match up well on-screen together; O'Connor's family is highly amusing while into the new inventions like in-door plumbing, but everyone here is at the mercy of the hoary, disappointing script. ** from ****