In Hollywood, director Fred Amiel (Sullivan), movie star Georgia Lorrison (Turner), and screenwriter James Lee Bartlow (Powell) each refuse to speak by phone to Jonathan Shields (Douglas) in Paris. Movie producer Harry Pebbel (Pidgeon) gathers them in his office and explains that Shields has a new film idea and he wants the three of them for the project. Shields cannot get financing on his own, but with their names attached, there would be no problem. Pebbel asks the three to allow him to get Shields on the phone before they give their final answer.
As they await Shields’ call, Pebbel assures the three that he understands why they refused to speak to Shields. Their involvement with Shields then unfolds in a series of flashbacks. Shields is the son of a notorious former studio head who had been dumped by the industry. Despite the ill feelings toward him because of his father, the younger Shields is determined to make it in Hollywood.
Shields partners with aspiring director Amiel, whom he meets at the funeral. Shields intentionally loses money he does not have in a poker game to film executive Pebbel so he can talk Pebbel into letting him work off the debt as a line producer. Shields and Amiel learn their respective trades making B movies for Pebbel. When one of their films becomes a hit, Amiel decides they are ready to take on a more significant project he has been nursing along, and Shields pitches it to the studio.
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Shields gets a $1 million budget to produce the film, but betrays Amiel by allowing someone with an established reputation to direct. Shields’ success allows him to start his own studio, and Pebbel goes to work for him. Amiel becomes an Oscar-winning director. Shields next encounters alcoholic small-time actress Lorrison who becomes a top Hollywood star overnight. Bartlow, a contented professor, gets involved with Shields but ultimately walks away from him, winning a Pulitzer Prize.
After each flashback, Pebbel sarcastically agrees that Shields “ruined” their lives; each of the three is now at the top of their respective professions, thanks largely to Shields. As they leave, Pebbel is still talking to Shields. The three eavesdrop on an extension phone as Shields describes his new idea; they become more and more interested. Want to experience the drama and intrigue firsthand? Watch The Bad and the Beautiful Full Movie on Fmovies now!