The Bad and the Beautiful (1952)

I have no objections to this film, nor I have anything to praise, so I have the nothing to write about. I watched it because it's considered to be one of the best movies of its time and because it won five Academy Awards, out of which I can understand only Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, won by Gloria Grahame. For everything else, nothing really special. Nice and relaxed melodrama, perfect for resting the brain on a lazy Sunday afternoon.6/10

This movie was a perfect symbol for the Hollywood it took place in. In 1952 Hollywood was filled with star actors and actresses, aiming to show their lives but ending up exaggerating the truth. this movie provided a look into the deepness, the bad within the beautiful of Hollywood. The amoral Hollywood producer intends to bring together the three former associates: an actress, a writer and a director, for his new project. The plot is told through their flashbacks, showing how the aforementioned producer during their careers mercilessly exploited. It is interesting to see what is actually happening in this "city of illusions". The story may not be true, but a number of illusions can capture the imagination. The plot wasn't particularly grasping however, it was a sort of dry truth.

Lana Turner headlines this all-star Vincente Minnelli film which shows the glitz and glamour of Hollywood movie-making for what it is, a cut-throat business of wanna-bes and has-beens. Actors, directors, film crew, writers - they toil for years in b-pictures for a chance on a big-scale epic, but some get there and some don't. And some people's word don't mean much to those who look out for themselves. Kirk Douglas is one such movie-maker whose director/producer father died and left him penniless, but he vows to ram the name of Shields down the throat of Hollywood. He befriends director Barry Sullivan, who is tongue-tied when he tries to sell himself, but associating with the egomaniac Kirk helps him with his career. Enter Lana Turner who is the daughter of a much loved and respected actor, who's also dead, but she now drinks and does bit parts and toils and drudges on, until Kirk meets her. Walter Pidegon is a producer who invests in minor horror movies, but gets into mega money when investing into a major artistic film, courtesy of Kirk and Barry. Dick Powell wrote a best-selling novel which Hollywood is making into a major motion picture, but Kirk needs him to write the screenplay. Will he get him? Dick's wife, Gloria Grahame, tries to let him work, but always seems to be taking up a lot of his time. This film shows all the struggles and dreams of those in Hollywood without passing judgment on them. Director Vincente Minnelli had a way of taking a subject matter, putting it on celluloid, and making it not only entertaining but making it feel like it came from the Smithsonian museum, like it was art on a wall. But he does have the aid of all the technicians from the departments at the peak of the craft. But under his watch, they all must past muster, and they all come in grade-A fashion. The story of how Kirk Douglas affects the lives and careers of those around him is told in three major sections: the first by the point of view of Barry, then it's Lana's perspective, and thirdly, Dick Powell. This film won 5 out of 6 Oscars, only losing Kirk's acting award. But Gloria Grahame, who was in the film for not even 10 minutes, did win. Some say she won for giving good performances in all the movies she made in 1952 and not only this one, but this is the really big, prestigious, and respected one she made that year. She is very memorable as a flirty wife, with an insatiable appetite. I can't believe I've never reviewed this film, as I am a big Lana Turner fan; I guess I thought I had nothing to add. But from day one that I saw this film years ago, I was hooked. The day I saw it, I watched it three times in a row that same day. That is very rare for me. One of the other very few films I've seen in that way is "Sudden Fear," another 1952 film with Gloria Grahame, in which she excels. All the stars of "The Bad and the Beautiful" are great and the aesthetics are superlative. And, that car scene of Lana's is a personal highlight. And, yes, that's actor John Houseman who helped to produce this film. And, Charles Schnee wrote the screenplay and won an Oscar for his eloquent (just listening to the words as they speak is an experience, especially Gloria Grahame in her southern belle accent) and three-dimensional treatment of Hollywood at its best and worst. If you haven't seen this slice of Hollywood - then you flat out don't care about good movies. Period.

Pretty searing portrayal of life in Hollywood. But the film is ultimately upbeat despite featuring a lot of dark moments. An earnest director (WALTER PIDGEON), a self destructive actress (LANA TURNER) and an indifferent writer (DICK POWELL) all come into contact with an ambitious producer (KIRK DOUGLAS). The film seems to say that ultimately films get made due to the ambition, ruthlessness and drive of the producer. In a way, the film lauds the Hollywood studio system while also showing its dark and ruthless side.VINCENT MINELLI uses a lot of tracking shots, it really is a great film to look at. LANA TURNER and ELAINE STEWART look sensational. GLORIA GRAHAME is a bit of a disappointment as the bimbo wife of DICK POWELL. KIRK DOUGLAS and DICK POWELL made the film for me.