ATTICUS

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Mary Badham portrayed the ten or twelve year old tom boyish daughter of a southern lawyer, "Atticus Finch," portrayed by Gregory Peck in the movie, "To Kill a Mockingbird."

As the movie falls together, Atticus is called upon to defend "Tom Robinson," (Brock Peters), an innocent black man, who has been accused of raping a young white woman.

Atticus is the single father of two children, "Scout" and "Jem." Among his most outstanding traits are empathy and consistency. He is moral, conscientious, and wise.

I have always loved this movie. Atticus seems to be an ideal father. He is strict when strictness is called for, understanding when understanding is what his children need most, and determined, above all things, to choose the right when choosing the wrong would be so much easier.

Atticus possessed the special wherewithal to stand alone when his standing alone was not only unpopular in his "neck of the woods," but could be downright dangerous, (as Scout was to find in her confrontation with the supposed victim's father).

Mary Badham, who is still with us today, remained in touch with Gregory Peck throughout the remainder of his life. And she did something some might think a bit strange. She continued to call the gifted actor by the name of "Atticus." 

"He was the epitome of his movie character, Atticus. He possessed all the traits of my 'To Kill a Mockingbird' father. I could not help but continue to call him by that name."

As a matter of fact, in one interview Ms. Badham slips, (and apparently doesn't realize it), and actually begins a sentence with, "And Atticus said..." (referring not to the movie character, but to Peck, himself).

What a precious relationship the two shared together. What a wonderfully good man the actor seemed to be.

by Bill McDonald, PhD