TCM Fri.: Slander (1957) & Bad for Each Other (1954)
Posted: July 14th, 2011, 9:15 pm
Heads up, noiristas! Two films that could be new to some of us are on TCM on Friday, July 15th. I hope that you'll add your comments about these two movies here if you'd like.
1:45 PM EDT
Slander (1957)
A TV star almost loses his career and his marriage over a tabloid story.
Dir: Roy Rowland Cast: Van Johnson, Ann Blyth, Steve Cochran.
BW-81 mins, TV-G,
![Image](http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac140/moirathefinn/slander-movie-poster-1957-102069897-1.jpg)
I've seen Slander (1957) and think it is one of Steve Cochran's best portrayals of a certain kind of sleaze, though this time he doesn't destroy with a fist or a bullet, but a magazine along the lines of the notorious Confidential of that decade. Cochran gives a nuanced portrayal of his character, adding some shading to his character's relentlessness, especially in his scenes with the great Marjorie Rambeau as his mother. As a matter of fact, this one is especially timely, given recent developments in the press hacking scandals in Britain and the US. Van Johnson, an actor I like, especially as he got older, gives one of his better post-stardom performances as one of Cochran's targets. Johnson's characterization has a certain poignancy given later revelations about the man's complicated private life. The fine character actor Harold J. Stone and the lovely Ann Blyth are also on hand in this one.
3:15 PM
Bad for Each Other (1954)
A doctor returned from the Korean War must choose between setting up a glamorous practice and helping the poor.
Dir: Irving Rapper Cast: Charlton Heston, Lizabeth Scott, Dianne Foster.
BW-82 mins, TV-PG,
![Image](http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac140/moirathefinn/o_s9uscthH2fuAwhW-1.jpg)
I've never seen this one, but I really WANT to so much. The prospect of Lizabeth Scott + Young Chuck + photographed by Franz Planer and a script by Horace McCoy (author of They Shoot Horses, Don't They) and Irving Rapper as director seems promising, so it may be a small gem (or not). Since Irving Wallace's name is attached to the story, I'm not entirely sure what to expect. I have been on a recent "Chuck Heston Before Moses" kick, seeing for the first time ever Dark City (1950) which was great fun, Ruby Gentry (1951) aka Son of Duel in the Sun, The Savage (1952), Secret of the Incas (1953) which I loved and want to know more about Yma Sumac, and the sublime The Naked Jungle (1954) with a repressed Chuck stuck in the jungle surrounded by those damn ants, ravishing Eleanor Parker, and a skinny (well, sort of) William Conrad. (The ants wouldn't have as much to munch on back then)
1:45 PM EDT
Slander (1957)
A TV star almost loses his career and his marriage over a tabloid story.
Dir: Roy Rowland Cast: Van Johnson, Ann Blyth, Steve Cochran.
BW-81 mins, TV-G,
![Image](http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac140/moirathefinn/slander-movie-poster-1957-102069897-1.jpg)
I've seen Slander (1957) and think it is one of Steve Cochran's best portrayals of a certain kind of sleaze, though this time he doesn't destroy with a fist or a bullet, but a magazine along the lines of the notorious Confidential of that decade. Cochran gives a nuanced portrayal of his character, adding some shading to his character's relentlessness, especially in his scenes with the great Marjorie Rambeau as his mother. As a matter of fact, this one is especially timely, given recent developments in the press hacking scandals in Britain and the US. Van Johnson, an actor I like, especially as he got older, gives one of his better post-stardom performances as one of Cochran's targets. Johnson's characterization has a certain poignancy given later revelations about the man's complicated private life. The fine character actor Harold J. Stone and the lovely Ann Blyth are also on hand in this one.
3:15 PM
Bad for Each Other (1954)
A doctor returned from the Korean War must choose between setting up a glamorous practice and helping the poor.
Dir: Irving Rapper Cast: Charlton Heston, Lizabeth Scott, Dianne Foster.
BW-82 mins, TV-PG,
![Image](http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac140/moirathefinn/o_s9uscthH2fuAwhW-1.jpg)
I've never seen this one, but I really WANT to so much. The prospect of Lizabeth Scott + Young Chuck + photographed by Franz Planer and a script by Horace McCoy (author of They Shoot Horses, Don't They) and Irving Rapper as director seems promising, so it may be a small gem (or not). Since Irving Wallace's name is attached to the story, I'm not entirely sure what to expect. I have been on a recent "Chuck Heston Before Moses" kick, seeing for the first time ever Dark City (1950) which was great fun, Ruby Gentry (1951) aka Son of Duel in the Sun, The Savage (1952), Secret of the Incas (1953) which I loved and want to know more about Yma Sumac, and the sublime The Naked Jungle (1954) with a repressed Chuck stuck in the jungle surrounded by those damn ants, ravishing Eleanor Parker, and a skinny (well, sort of) William Conrad. (The ants wouldn't have as much to munch on back then)