Career

Dated, though still packing a dramatic punch, "Career" best serves as a showcase for some terrific acting. Anthony Franciosa's gives the best performance of his career; he appears to really be pouring himself into this role. Carolyn Jones is exceptional as his lonely agent; who self-destructively hides her affections for him. Their two performances alone make this worth viewing, but it's still a worthwhile film.

An actor is determined to make it to Broadway, even if he loses his family because of his obsession. Based on a play, the film offers an interesting glimpse into show business, but turns into something of a soap opera. The Korean War and McCarthyism, hot-button topics at the time, are somewhat clumsily shoehorned into the story and the final act comes across as contrived. Franciosa has his first big starring role as the struggling actor and he acquits himself well. Martin has typical role as a boozing director who lets success get to his head. MacLaine's free-spirited character is poorly developed. Jones is quite good as Franciosa's agent.

This is the journey of Sam Lawson-from aspiring young actor to aspiring old actor. Along the way he befriends the fair weather couple(McLain and Martin) and unwittingly joins the communist party. A Hollywood milestone, this movie actually flirted with the idea that the Hollywood blacklist might be irrelevant. Franciosa in the best performance of his life, and a great supporting cast make this a must see.

I remember seeing this film when it first appeared in theaters, and liked it very much. It was just well acted, by Tony Franciosa and Carolyn Jones. I remember the scene, funny how these things stick in your head, where Dean Martin, as a conniving agent, bums a hotdog off Tony on the street. Haven't seen it in many years, but it impressed me at the time. Always thought that Tony was somewhat underrated as an actor; liked him with Paul Newman in the couple of films they made together, and in a Hat full of rain. Intense, and good. I loved the scene in the Long, Hot Summer where he's trying to lure lovely Lee Remick inside, and she says, "Jody, I sure do wish you would find some other form of recreation." Good films in those days; still among my favorites.

Career is one no-holds barred look at the theatrical profession and what it takes to get to the top. Anthony Franciosa had that determination, but it cost him big time in his personal life.

No pun intended, but this may have been Tony Franciosa's career role. He's Sam Lawson, World War II veteran with thespian ambitions. Franciosa literally starts at the bottom with a character named Maury Novak played by Dean Martin.

Career has it all, the performances in fly by night stock companies for indifferent audiences, the fighting for bit roles and the bigger fight to get even noticed for your big break.

It costs Franciosa two marriages and near blacklisting through his association with Martin. Career in fact is one of the first films to even mention the blacklist, albeit they do it in a very gingerly way. Had it been made 10 years later, I doubt that the script would have had a line in it for Carolyn Jones to say that the House Un American Activities Committee had some honorable intentions.

Speaking of Jones, she's great in a role as an agent who has a deep affection for her client Franciosa. You kind of hope that they will get together at some point in the future. Shirley MacLaine has a great part as the good time daughter of a big theatrical producer played by Robert Middleton. At some point MacLaine gets married to both Franciosa and Martin during the film.

Dino did a hit record of the title song for the film although it is only heard instrumentally during the film. His performance as Maury Novak, a sleazy friend indeed to Franciosa, further established him as a dramatic actor and more proof he didn't need Jerry Lewis to succeed.

Career is a dated film, it's very rooted in the Fifties when the story takes place. Yet it is a good dramatic story and a bit of a social commentary on the times.