- Joined
- Jul 3, 1997
- Messages
- 66,689
- Real Name
- Ronald Epstein
The Bad and the Beautiful
"Jonathan Shields....the man who
will do anything to get what he wants"
A Director, a Writer and an Actress. Three
individuals who don't have happy memories of
Jonathan Shields (Kirk Douglas), a B-grade
movie maker who rose to one of Hollywood's most
ruthless film producers, stomping on careers
and making enemies of just about everyone he has
met along the way.
So why have these individuals all come together
at his studio's office one late evening? His
accountant, Harry Peebles (Walter Pidgeon), has
one last offer to make to all of them. He is
asking them to make just one more picture for
the bankrupt Jonathan Shields.
The Director, Fred Amiel (Barry Sullivan) reflects
on how he first met Shields and pitched him his
very first box-office success. The Actress,
Georgia Lorrison (Lana Turner) reflects on how
Shields took her from being a drunken tramp and
turned her into a star. The Writer, James Lee
(Dick Powell) reflects on how Shields took his
first book and turned into a hit film.
As much as Shields turned their individual lives
into a huge success, he also betrayed each and
every one of them along the way.
Director Vincent Minnelli gives us an insider's
look at Hollywood, a land that is not as glitzy
behind the camera as it is in front. This 1952
film is nearly an all-too-real look at the betrayal
and deception that made up the inner works of
tinsel town. Gloria Graham (Rosemary Bartlow) won
Best Supporting Actress for her role in this
film and Kirk Douglas garnered a Best Actor Oscar
nomination.
How is the transfer?
Presented full frame, the black and white transfer
looks spectacular. The print is very clean with
only occasional blemish. Watching such clean black
and white transfers on DVD make films like this
seem brand new.
The sound is mono, and sounds extremely good across
the front two speakers.
Special Features
Warner has put out a 2-sided DVD. The main
feature is presented on side A, while side B has
been reserved for added content.
Most of the supplemental area is devoted to a
terrific documentary entitled, Lana Turner...
A Daughter's Memoir. Produced by Turner Classic
Films and narrated by Robert Wagner, this
documentary tells the story of one of America's
most memorable Bombshells. This is the famous
actress who at the age of 16, was discovered in
a malt shop. By the age of 17 she made her first
picture.
Filled with personal still photos, home movies
and many film clips, we come to learn of the
natural talent and screen presence that made
Lana Turner an MGM glamour-plus star. She was
a party animal, and actively sought the company
of men. She was so strong-willed that MGM's
Louis B. Mayer had problems keeping her under
control. Her impulsive whim with men put her in
and out of many stormy relationships. For 17 years
more, MGM bailed Lana out of many scandalous
situations.
The rest of her life? Well, you need to watch
this documentary yourself. It's a thoroughly
enjoyable look back at her career with present
day interviews with the likes of Jackie Cooper,
Robert Stack and Kirk Douglas.
In addition to the film's original Theatrical Trailers,
the trailer for the film's sequel, Two weeks in Another Town
is also included.
In a first that I have seen on this format,
Warner has included Scoring session cues that
via a menu, allow you to individually listen to
the original music cues for selected scenes.
Cast and Crew is a simple one-page menu
that gives the credits for the film. There is no
advanced biography for any of the individuals listed.
You can also glance at the list of AWARDS
this film won.
Final Thoughts
As much work as it takes for me to crank out
up to five reviews a week, there is always the
underlying pleasure of getting to watch classic
films that I never would have seen otherwise.
I am always pleasantly surprised when I get
to see gems like The Bad and the Beautiful,
which I think are terrific. Watching them on a
format that gives such appreciation for its
presentation values is also an added plus.
Anyone looking to educate themselves with some
of Hollywood's most memorable classics owes it
to themselves to make this film part of their
collection.
Release Date: Now available