The life of Howard Hughes gets a sordid roman à clef treatment thanks to the lusty pen of Harold Robbins, whose novel was adapted for the film. After the death of his father, young Jonas Cord assumes the reins of his family’s dynamite business. He eventually turns to the aviation and motion picture industries to further build on his inherited wealth. Along the way he romances and betrays a series of beauties including Carroll Baker, playing the elder Cord’s widow, who becomes a starlet at Jonas’s production company. Despite its salacious tagline (“This is adult entertainment!”), the film was relatively tame even for its time but went on to become a great commercial success thanks to the public’s insatiable appetite for celebrity gossip.
Part of film series
Screenings from this program
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Treasures from the Harvard Film Archive: ...
The Little Match Girl
Directed by Jean Renoir, 1928
Live piano accompaniment by Peter FreisingerScreening on Film
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Treasures from the Harvard Film Archive: ...
Nana
Directed by Jean Renoir, 1926
Live piano accompaniment by Peter FreisingerLive Musical AccompanimentScreening on Film
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Treasures from the Harvard Film Archive: ...
Trailers, Trailers, Trailers
Introduced by Film Conservator Julie BuckScreening on Film
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Treasures from the Harvard Film Archive: ...
Sweet Smell of Success
Directed by Alexander Mackendrick, 1957
Screening on Film