Playwright James Lee adapted his off-Broadway play for the screen in this high-strung adaptation, directed by Joseph Anthony. In this simplistic, backroom show-business-success saga, Anthony Franciosa plays Sam, a struggling young actor who will forsake his family and take any type of menial job in order to become a Broadway star. Dean Martin is on hand as Maury, an aspiring director also trying to claw his way up the ladder of success. When Maury gets his big break, Sam wants a part in his show, but when Maury, who is unwilling to cast Sam in the production, turns down Sam's request, Sam seduces and marries Maury's girlfriend (Shirley MacLaine). In spite of everything, Maury wants his girl back, and Sam agrees to a divorce on the stipulation that Maury cast him as the star in his next show. Once again, Maury reneges and, before Sam can exact his revenge, Uncle Sam comes to the rescue and he is drafted into the army.
Credits
Career Cast
| Name |
Character |
|
Jerry Paris
He was 34, 60 years old when he died
|
as Allan Burke |
|
Shirley MacLaine
She was 25, now 90 years old
|
as Sharon Kensington |
|
Anthony Franciosa
He was 30, 77 years old when he died
|
as Sam Lawson |
|
Dean Martin
He was 42, 78 years old when he died
|
as Maurice 'Maury' Novak |
|
Yuki Shimoda
He was 38, 59 years old when he died
|
as Yosho |
|
Carolyn Jones
She was 29, 53 years old when she died
|
as Shirley Drake |
|
Joan Blackman
She was 21, now 85 years old
|
as Barbara Lawson Helmsley |
|
Mary Treen
She was 52, 82 years old when she died
|
as Marie, Secretary to Shirley Drake |
|
Marjorie Bennett
She was 63, 86 years old when she died
|
as Fan Magazine Columnist |
|
Donna Douglas
She was 26, 81 years old when she died
|
as Marjorie Burke |
|
Alan Hewitt
He was 44, 70 years old when he died
|
as Matt Helmsley |
|
Chuck Wassil
He was 26, 77 years old when he died
|
as Eric Peters |
|
Robert Middleton
He was 48, 66 years old when he died
|
as Robert Kensington |
|
Frank McHugh
He was 61, 83 years old when he died
|
as Charlie Gallagher |
Career Crew
| Name |
Department |
|
Joseph LaShelle as Director of Photography. He was 59 (89) years old when He died
|
Camera |
|
Hal Pereira as Art Direction. He was 54 (78) years old when He died
|
Art |
|
Sam Comer as Set Decoration. He was 66 (81) years old when He died
|
Art |
|
Arthur Krams as Set Decoration. He was 47 (73) years old when He died
|
Art |
|
Franz Waxman as Original Music Composer. He was 52 (60) years old when He died
|
Sound |
|
Warren Low as Editor. He was 54 (83) years old when He died
|
Editing |
|
Walter H. Tyler as Art Direction. He was 50 (81) years old when He died
|
Art |
|
Bert Granet as Writer. He was 49 (92) years old when He died
|
Writing |
|
James Lee as Screenplay. He was 244 (287) years old when He died
|
Writing |
|
James Lee as Theatre Play. He was 244 (287) years old when He died
|
Writing |
|
Joseph Anthony as Director. He was 47 (80) years old when He died
|
Directing |
|
Paul Nathan as Associate Producer. He was 102 (69) years old when He died
|
Production |
