Born To Be Bad (1950) Review

• 17th May 2011

Born to Be Bad is a melodrama which also focuses on a manipulative young woman who’ll stop at absolutely nothing to get what she wants. Director Nicholas Ray has become a legendary figure thanks to the championing he received by the Cahiers du Cinema writers in the 60s. Born to Be Bad focusses on Christabel Caine who has her eyes set on her sister’s well off boyfriend Curtis Carey (Zachary Scott). Not content with ruining her sister’s love affair she then looks to return to the arms of the writer she actually wants.

Given the unfortunate coincidence of being released the same year as the classic melodrama All About Eve, Ray’s film may have suffered as a consequence.  Joan Fontaine steals the show as the somewhat disturbing Christabel who runs rings around her husband Curtis Carey. The excellent cast is rounded out by Ray regular, Robert Ryan who plays struggling author Nick Bradley, the object of Caine’s physical desires. Scott’s character is reminiscent of his role as Monte Beragon in Mildred Pierce, though this time he hasn’t squandered the family fortune. Robert Ryan on the other hand is a far more muscular character, representing lust as opposed to Scott’s need for true love.

Nicholas Ray’s career was marked by strange melodramas that usually placed a female in strong position. His classic western Johnny Guitar turned the genre on its head as two women replaced the usual male gunfighters. Born to Be Bad is a wonderful addition to the Ray catalogue and having never seen it before it was a total joy. The dastardly nature of the lead character is something you rarely see in Hollywood movies today. Her actual downfall is even cushioned by the expensive gifts she chooses to retain before moving onto her next scandal. The wonderful aspect of the narrative is the total demotion of the good sister to no screen time after about 30 minutes. Her virtuosity simply results in her vanishing from the film. This world is no place for emotional weaklings.

For fans of Nicholas Ray this DVD release by Odeon is long overdue and for those who simply love classic period Hollywood melodramas there’s much to enjoy here. All About Eve will always garner more attention than this slimmed down version, but Born to Be Bad is equally superb. The glee which Fontaine exhibits as she weaves her dastardly web of deceit is something to behold.

Aled Jones