Films

The Bad and the Beautiful (MGM 1952)

Barry Sullivan, Lana and Walter Pidgeon listen in in 1952's "The Bad and the Beautiful". Lou Valentino Collection

Because he was a drunk, you're a drunk. Because he loved women, you're a tramp. But you're forgetting one thing: he did it with style".

Lana's thoughts on The Bad and the Beautiful:

...When the script reached me I knew right away that I understood the character-a film star who is seen at first as a soggy mess and then is resuscitated by an unscrupulous producer. I could believe in her. Moreover, the screenplay was a much better one than those I usually received. The atmosphere of the film was totally familiar to me. The sets were the very sound stages where I had spent so much of my working life. The conferences in executive offices, the nerve wracking sneak previews-all of them had a familiar ring. Even the Hollywood party scenes were true to life.

Production Dates: Early April, 1952-Early June, 1952

Release Date: December 1952 (In Los Angeles), January 15, 1953 (In New York City).

Credited Cast and Crew:

Lana Turner, Kirk Douglas, Barry Sullivan, Gloria Grahame.

Directed by: Vincente Minnelli

Writing Credits: George Bradshaw, Charles Schnee

Produced by: Joe Houseman

Original Music by: David Raskin, Jimmy McHugh

Non-Original Music by: Nacio Herb Brown

Cinematography: Robert Surtees

Synopsis: Ambitious Hollywood producer Jonathan Shields will stop at nothing in order to get to the top. Even if that means using those around him as stepping stones.

My Review:  Any one who has ever dismissed Lana as nothing more than a "Sweater Girl", needs to take two hours out of their life and watch this little gem. Though the film is really Kirk Douglas' show and Lana doesn't show up until thirty-five minutes into it, she really shines as Georgia Lorrison, an alcoholic actress and Daddy's Girl. Director Vincente Minnelli (who is usually more adept at directing musicals) pulls out all of the stops in order to make an MGM soundstage look like...well an MGM soundstage. The often underrated Barry Sullivan breaks your heart as the first person that Jonathan spurns during his reign of terror, ditto Dick Powell as the soft spoken writer and eternal pipe smoker. This film was the first and is still the best known look at the darker side of Tinsel Town. The way that Jonathan Shields treats those around him as Kleenex to be discarded, isn't for the squeamish or the faint of heart. Though the film won Oscars for best costume design, best cinematography and best art direction, there should have been nominations all around. As it was, only Gloria Grahame took home an award for a very small part as Dick Powell's wife and a want to be actress.

Despite the fact that this film was a critical and box office smash and Lana received rave reviews, this would be her last important film at MGM. She was about to enter her "middle years", too mature now to be kittenishly plopping herself onto Gable's lap but still too young to be playing mothers and neurotic housewives. The powers that be in the front office were at a loss as to what parts to give her and they assigned her to entertaining yet uninspired films. MGM fluff (Latin Lovers), two European ventures (Betrayed and Flame and the Flesh), two loan outs (Ranchipur and Sea Chase), a biblical potboiler (The Prodigal) and a historical melodrama (Diane) would round out Lana's eighteen year association with MGM-the studio that had made her a star.

Your Review: What are YOUR thoughts on this film? Contact me at Liza@lanaturneronline.com

Highlights and Trivia

*Lana Turner's makeup man, Del Armstrong, her hairdresser Helen Young and her stand in, Alyce May all have cameo appearances in the film. They perform the same duties for the character of Georgia as they perform for Lana in real life.

Purchase The Bad and the Beautiful:

VHS

DVD

 

 

DVD Features:

Available subtitles: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Thai, Chinese (Unspecified)

Available Audio Tracks: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono), French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)

All-new Turner Classic Movies documentary Lana Turner: A Daughter's Memoir
 

Scoring session music cues from David Raksin's memorable score

Comments: TCM and Company did it right just like they always do. The film looks better than it ever has and while the DVD's not exactly brimming over with extras it does boast the film's original trailer as well as Turner Classic Movies' original documentary Lana Turner: A Daughter's Memoir, which (IMO) is a MUST for all Lana Turner fans. NOTE: A lot of the extras are on the "B" side of the DVD.
 

 

Photo Gallery

Georgia has a fit in 1952's "The Bad and the Beautiful". Lou Valentino Collection.    Lana and Vincent Minnelli discuss the script for "The Bad and the Beautiful" in 1952.    Lana dressed as a bride behind the scenes of 1952's "The Bad and the Beautiful".     Kirk Douglas tries to get through to Lana in 1952's "The Bad and the Beautiful"    Georgia can't seem to have a good time until Jonathan shows up in 1952's "The Bad and the Beautiful". Lou Valentino Collection    Lana dons a George Washington style wig in 1952's "The Bad and the Beautiful". Lou Valentino Collection    Lana takes an important phone call while still in costume in 1952's "The Bad and the Beautiful".    Lana, her makeup man Del Armstrong and Director Vincente Minnelli discussing a scene for "The Bad and the Beautiful" in 1952.    Lana takes some time out to relax in a scene from 1952's "The Bad and the Beautiful".

Kirk Douglas loses it with Lana in a scene from 1952's "The Bad and the Beautiful".    Kirk Douglas is full of hate in 1952's "The Bad and the Beautiful".

 

 

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