THE BAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL is a noir melodrama - an entertaining, if over-acted, over-the-top peek at sometimes exciting, sometimes sordid backstage
Hollywood. It’s about the rise and fall of a brilliant, ambitious, amoral, cruel, egotistical and charismatic producer named Jonathan Shields (Kirk Douglas) and his ruthless manipulation of others to make it to the top. Now a down-on-his-luck industry pariah living in
Europe, Shields persuades his aging flunky and former studio exec (Water Pidgeon) to invite three bitter, former associates/friends to meet for a transatlantic call to hear a proposal for his comeback project. The trio, now successful and well established in their own rights – a leading lady (Lana Turner), a cynical writer (Barry Sullivan), and a director (Dick Powell) – agrees to meet but initially rejects any notion of working again for slace driver Shields. In flashback, they relate their stories about how Shields groomed them, then in one way or another, screwed them. Back in the present, as they prepare to leave, Shields’ call comes through, and as the movie ends, all are gathered around the receiver, listening to the producer’s enthusiastic pitch and obviously being drawn back in. Academy Award Oscars for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress went to
Douglas and noir princess Grahame. Directed by Vincente Minnelli, who knew a thing or two about show business.
THE BAD 