Linkshoch
Wonderful Movie
Harockerce
What a beautiful movie!
Tedfoldol
everything you have heard about this movie is true.
Edwin
The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.
grizzledgeezer
You'd think all the great (or merely good) noir films have been unearthed. Here's one I'd never even heard of. It's worth going out of your way to see."Scandal Sheet" is a model of simplicity, without a wasted word or scene, moving steadily and without distraction to the inevitable ending. The director makes no effort to play up the tension, which the audience generates by its knowledge of how it all has to end. For what's technically a melodrama, "Scandal Sheet" is remarkably un-melodramatic.The story is based on a novel by Sam Fuller, who also penned the screenplay. The dialog is efficient and lively -- but not unduly clever. Except for John Derek, * the acting is subdued (though Ms Reed does raise her voice at times -- though with good reason).Like other reviewers, I was disturbed by Donna Reed smoking.* Given the character's enthusiasm for his job, this is perhaps forgivable.
JohnHowardReid
Although inspired by Samuel Fuller's 1944 novel, The Dark Page, this film was directed by Phil Karlson. The casting of John Derek is disappointing too. But everything else about Scandal Sheet is pretty good: It's atmospheric photography by Burnett Guffey and even the director's attempt to mimic the atmosphere of John Farrow's masterpiece, The Big Clock. Of course the cast can't hold a candle to the actors in that film, Nor can the writing and direction. Nevertheless, on its own level, Scandal Sheet offers reasonable entertainment. The director is inclined to over-use close-ups, but he has a few inventive moments, such as the track with Broderick Crawford past the pawnshop. Henry O'Neill gives an effectively seedy study of a has-been reporter and other cameo players like Ida Moore's morgue secretary and Cliff Clark's morgue doctor, James Milican's police lieutenant, Jay Adler's rummy, and Don Beddoe's pawnbroker, excel too. Donna Reed looks reasonably attractive, Jonathan Hale is effective as the publisher; but Henry Harry Morgan has a routine part as a photographer. Production values are very moderate by "A"-picture standards. But at least, Karlson didn't muff it! Available on a Sony DVD in The Sam Fuller Collection.
blanche-2
Broderick Crawford is the publisher of a "Scandal Sheet" in this 1952 noir directed by Phil Karlson and also starring Donna Reed, John Derek, and Rosemary DeCamp.Crawford plays Mark Chapman, a ruthless tabloid publisher who is bringing along a young, ambitious reporter, Steve McCleary (Derek). When a woman (DeCamp) who attended the tabloid's Lonely Hearts Dance is found dead, McCleary investigates further and finds out that she was murdered. He's determined to track down the killer, not realizing that the murderer is very close by.Good, fast-paced noir from Columbia. Lovely Donna Reed plays Julie, who writes features and eschews the tabloid side, while the hunky Derek is a guy who loves to go after a good story and is interested in Julie. Harry Morgan is a photographer. Henry O'Neill plays Charlie, a formerly great, not drunk journalist who knows more than he should. The acting is good all around.Crawford was one of those character actors whose talent brought him to leading roles. We boomers will know him forever as the star of "Highway Patrol" and his barking "10-4." Reed, Morgan, and DeCamp went on to make their marks on television, and Derek would retire from acting on concentrate on promoting his beautiful wives.Based on a story, "The Dark Page" by director Sam Fuller, this film is well done, and if you like noir, you'll enjoy it.
Panamint
Well paced movie that delivers the drama, noir, tension, etc. Brod Crawford is at his best as his character is seemingly on top of the world, then slowly chipped down by a good plot and script. It is interesting to watch his character desperately scheme and scramble, rather than suddenly falling off his pedestal. Watching Brod sweat it out and mop his brow is priceless.The acting is good by all the cast, but you will especially notice Rosemary DeCamp and also Henry O'Neill as old Charlie. Every second of screen-time and every word of these two performances is carefully studied and masterfully delivered, so if you observe them closely you will be richly rewarded.Intelligently written. Complicated (but still plausible) plot wherein all the pieces fit together nicely.