In a recent biography of Burt Lancaster , Henry Winkler who was the producer of
Scandal Sheet said that he wanted Burt Lancaster for the part of the supermarket
tabloid media mogul in the film. Winkler said he imagined what J.J. Hunseker
which was one of Lancaster's most acclaimed roles in the 50s in Sweet Smell Of
Success would do in this day and age's media.
I think Scandal Sheet provides the answer as Lancaster channels his old role as
the Broadway gossip columnist based on Walter Winchell to the 80s. Here
Lancaster is the mega rich owner of a supermarket channel rag and he hires
Pamela Reed who is a freelance writer published in more respectable journals
for his publication. Reed is a single mother of Bobby Jacoby and there are
way too much fringe benefits and salary to refuse.
The real purpose in hiring her was to get the inside dope on fading film star
Robert Urich. Reed knew Urich and his wife Lauren Hutton back in the day.
Hutton has been offered a big movie role, but she won't do it without Urich
and no movie company will insure him. Hutton has put up her salary as the
guarantor of Urich. As for Urich he's a man trying to kick the alcohol habit. It
all ends badly.
The lure of money and the good life it can bring is the real subject of Scandal
Sheet and Pamela Reed is the real protagonist of the movie. The reason for
watching Scandal Sheet is to see how she handles it. Integrity is nice and
honorable, but it can be expensive.
The Urich/Hutton part of the story is based I believe on Greta Garbo and John
Gilbert. Garbo tried to rescue Gilbert who was falling into dissipation as his
career was circling the bowl after talkies came in. She insisted on and did
Queen Christina with Gilbert and while he got good reviews it did nothing to
save his career. There's a bit A Star Is Born in this as well.
In the supporting cast look for Peter Jurasik as Lancaster's second in command.
What a lizard that one is, but a great performance.
Scandal Sheet is a disturbing, but excellent made for TV film.
