The Bad and the Beautiful
1952 · Movie · NR · 118 min · ★ 7.3 · 83% critics
A hard-driving Hollywood producer tries to pull three former collaborators back for one more project, but each has reasons to refuse. Through their flashback stories, the film shows how ambition, betrayal, and ruthless deal-making can launch careers while leaving lasting personal damage in the studio system.
Also known as Memorial to a Bad Man · Tribute to a Badman
Where to watch
Not currently available to stream in the US.
2 hours to watch.
Streaming availability and prices may be inaccurate or change — verify with the provider before subscribing.
unSUB's subscription recommendations are informational only, not financial advice.
More value for your money
Similar titles, ranked by watch-hours per subscription dollar.
Details
- Years
- 1952
- Release date
- 1952-12-25
- Language
- English
- Rated
- NR
- Runtime
- 118 min
- Critic score
- 83/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.3/10 (295 votes)
- Box office
- $3,373,000
- Budget
- $1,558,000
About
You’ll likely enjoy this if you like classic Hollywood dramas about ambition and complicated relationships, especially if you’ve seen Limelight or On the Waterfront; Not for you if you dislike flashback-heavy stories or heightened, old-school melodrama.
Pros: sharp Hollywood insider drama; strong performances; engaging flashback structure | Cons: melodrama can feel dated; uneven pacing; mixed message on ambition
Themes
- movie business
- rise and fall
- flashback
- hollywood
- black and white
- told in flashback
Awards & recognition
- Academy Award — Best Art Direction, Black and White · 1953
- Academy Award — Best Costume Design, Black-and-White · 1953
- Academy Award — Best Supporting Actress · 1953
- Academy Award — Best Cinematography, Black-and-White · 1953
- Academy Award — Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay · 1953
Show all 12 awards →
- National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
- Academy Award — Best Art Direction, Black and White · 1953 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Cinematography, Black-and-White · 1953 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Actor · 1953 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay · 1953 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Supporting Actress · 1953 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Costume Design, Black-and-White · 1953 · nominated
Cast & crew
Lana Turner
as Georgia Lorrison
Kirk Douglas
as Jonathan Shields
Walter Pidgeon
as Harry Pebbel
Dick Powell
as James Lee Bartlow
Barry Sullivan
as Fred Amiel
Gloria Grahame
as Rosemary Bartlow
Leo G. Carroll
as Henry Whitfield
Gilbert Roland
as Victor "Gaucho" Ribera
Paul Stewart
as Syd Murphy
Vanessa Brown
as Kay Amiel
Directed by Vincente Minnelli