What Makes Sammy Run?
What Makes Sammy Run?

Movie spotlight

What Makes Sammy Run?

1959
Movie
104 min
English

An adaptation of Budd Schulberg's incendiary 1941 novel about the rise of an unscrupulous Hollywood producer. The production was divided into two parts and aired on NBC's Sunday Showcase.

Insights

IMDb7.1/10
Director: Delmer DavesGenres: Drama

Plot Summary

The story follows Sammy Glick, an ambitious and ruthless young man who claws his way up the Hollywood ladder from a humble beginning. He uses and discards people along the way, betraying friends and lovers to achieve power and success in the film industry. The narrative explores the moral compromises and personal costs of unchecked ambition in a cutthroat environment.

Critical Reception

A powerful and unflinching look at the darker side of Hollywood, 'What Makes Sammy Run?' was lauded for its sharp critique of ambition and materialism. While its television broadcast was a significant event, its cinematic release was more muted, though it has since gained recognition as a notable drama.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its biting satire of Hollywood's pursuit of success.

  • Noted for its compelling portrayal of a morally ambiguous protagonist.

  • Considered a significant work for its exploration of ambition and its consequences.

Google audience: Audience reviews are not readily available for this older film. However, its enduring status suggests it resonates with those interested in Hollywood's history and character studies.

Fun Fact

This film was originally a best-selling novel by Budd Schulberg, published in 1941, and was adapted into a successful stage play before its television and eventual (though limited) film release.

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