everything you have heard about this movie is true.

Better Late Then Never

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

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.

The only thing unfortunate about this movie is that it wasn't actually directed by Samuel Fuller. It is, however, based off of one of his novels, and it's a damn good story of the highest form. Basically, the new editor for a New York magazine has been increasing readership by turning to yellow journalism, led by wet-behind-the-ears but star reporter Steve McCleary. Unfortunately, editor Mark Chapman gets a visit from his past and ends up murdering his abandoned wife, leaving a perfect sensationalist story to increase readership but a trail that leads to him. From there it is an unaware cat and mouse as McCleary investigates to find the killer and Chapman tries to steer him off-course without revealing why. Kudos is given to the character development by not making Chapman's actions change too abruptly to make him seem suspicious, while the remarkable screenplay is smart enough to add in enough realistic situations to make many scenes seem incredibly uncertain (will he remember that person? Does he recognize the killer? Will he find such and such lead?). It's also fun seeing a character basically watch another character investigate into himself, and the interplay of what the characters know versus what the audience knows, especially in scenes where facts are re-interpreted via the dialog. It's a tense and thrilling movie through and through, none moreso than for the characters, who all seem realistic and never fully fall into cliché. Fuller was a yellow journalist himself and if this movie adaptation of his text is any indication, he got a real feel for the people and the language of the streets and newspaper offices of New York. I think I'm going to track down this book and read it, because this movie was nothing if not pure entertainment.

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.

Watch Crawford sweat this one out! Great fun with Broderick Crawford as managing editor of a "Scandal Sheet" newspaper, with John Derek and Donna Reed on staff as reporters. The film uses the technique of showing the murderer's identity as the crime is committed (it's editor Crawford); then we watch him squirm as the reporter hero (Derek) and heroine (Reed) try to identify the killer and cover the story. Mr. Crawford must give the "Lonely Heart Killer" big coverage in his tabloid newspaper, or risk suspicion. When a possible witness turns up, things get complicated. Henry O'Neill is great as a washed-up old drunk who used to work for Crawford's newspaper. The film has a great style… beautiful black and white photography directed by Phil Karlson. Recommended viewing! ******** Scandal Sheet (1952) Phil Karlson ~ Broderick Crawford, John Derek, Donna Reed