If self destruction has a face, it has Robert Montgomery's picture on it as a truly nasty Broadway producer who intends to take down as many actors and playwrights as he can. Add on to that list ex-wives, writers wives, head waiters and even yacht captains. Playwright John Payne is his latest attempt at a victim, and that brings down his happy marriage to loyal wife Susan Hayward. Actress/singer Audrey Totter finds out the hard way what kind of skunk Montgomery really is, a victim of a truly wretched lie. Add in singer Cara Williams, his own ex-wife Heather Angel as well as personal assistant Henry (aka Harry) Morgan who all find out through their own potential destruction what a self- destructive he really is.
Hard to take at times, this exposure of a power-hungry producer can't seem to figure out its mood. Montgomery keeps trying to explain his motivations, but I saw through him within minutes. Payne and Hayward are totally overshadowed by the hammy Montgomery who is even more psychopathic than he was in the subtle "Night Must Fall" and twice as over the top as he was in the wretched "Rage in Heaven".
There isn't really enough of a strong plot line to make this noteworthy as even psychological melodrama. On the height of her rise to stardom with " Smash-Up", Hayward has a few strong moments but they seem to be imitations of what she had been nominated for with that film, released earlier by Universal. Payne is quiet most of the time, but with Montgomery spouting every line, he pretty much had no choice. Chill Wills, playing the no- nonsense yacht captain, manages to hold his own over Montgomery in his brief role. Had this stuck to one mood, it could have been more dramatically effective, but often Montgomery plays the part with buffoonish silliness and that is ultimately what brings on his character's well deserved downfall.
Hard to take at times, this exposure of a power-hungry producer can't seem to figure out its mood. Montgomery keeps trying to explain his motivations, but I saw through him within minutes. Payne and Hayward are totally overshadowed by the hammy Montgomery who is even more psychopathic than he was in the subtle "Night Must Fall" and twice as over the top as he was in the wretched "Rage in Heaven".
There isn't really enough of a strong plot line to make this noteworthy as even psychological melodrama. On the height of her rise to stardom with " Smash-Up", Hayward has a few strong moments but they seem to be imitations of what she had been nominated for with that film, released earlier by Universal. Payne is quiet most of the time, but with Montgomery spouting every line, he pretty much had no choice. Chill Wills, playing the no- nonsense yacht captain, manages to hold his own over Montgomery in his brief role. Had this stuck to one mood, it could have been more dramatically effective, but often Montgomery plays the part with buffoonish silliness and that is ultimately what brings on his character's well deserved downfall.