“Bad for Each Other” (1953) starring Charlton Heston & Lizabeth Scott / Z-View

Bad for Each Other (1953)

Director: Irving Rapper

Screenplay: Irving Wallace, Horace McCoy based on SCALPEL by Horace McCoy

Stars: Charlton Heston, Lizabeth Scott, Dianne Foster, Mildred Dunnock, Arthur Franz, Ray Collins, Lester Matthews, Chris Alcaide, Frank Sully, Ann Robinson, Dorothy Green and Blackie Whiteford.

Tagline: Ghost Surgeon! Forced into the medical shadow world by the love of a money-hungry woman!

The Plot…

Colonel Tom Owen M.D. (Heston) returns to Coalville, Pennsylvania to attend his brother’s funeral.  His brother, the mining company’s safety engineer was killed with several others in a mining explosion.  Although Tom is a straight arrow military leader and doctor, he discovers that his brother was taking kickbacks to allow the purchase of substandard mining equipment.

When Tom investigates further he becomes enchanted with Helen Curtis (Scott), the wealthy daughter of the mine owner.  Tom decides to retire from the military.  He takes up residence at a medical facility run by Dr. Homer Gleeson (Matthews).  Dr. Matthews caters to the rich.  Soon the easy money and Helen begin to change Tom’s point of view.

Tom is blind to the fact that he, Helen (and the easy money) are bad for each other.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Made several years before Heston became a big star.