The Bad and the Beautiful

The Bad and the Beautiful

Selected by the Executives Branch.

Selected by the Executives Branch.

Charles Schnee won an Oscar for his original screenplay about a talented but manipulative film producer (Kirk Douglas) and his relationships with a star (Lana Turner), a screenwriter (Dick Powell), and a director (Barry Sullivan). Vincente Minnelli directed this witty and insightful behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood, with Douglas nominated for his commanding performance. The film won additional Oscars for its black-and-white art direction, cinematography, costume design, and Gloria Grahame’s touching supporting performance as Powell’s vivacious wife. David Raksin (Laura) composed the soaringly romantic score.

DIRECTED BY: Vincente Minnelli. WRITTEN BY: Charles Schnee. WITH: Lana Turner, Kirk Douglas, Walter Pidgeon, Dick Powell. 1952. 117 min. USA. B&W. English. DCP.

Academy Museum film programming generously funded by the Richard Roth Foundation. 

Explore our current quarterly print Film Calendar and browse the archive.

Theater accessibility accommodations available upon request. Learn more about our accessibility initiatives.

Back to Main Series