Broderick Crawford is the publisher of a "Scandal Sheet" in this 1952 noir directed by Phil Karlson and also starring Donna Reed, John Derek, and Rosemary DeCamp.Crawford plays Mark Chapman, a ruthless tabloid publisher who is bringing along a young, ambitious reporter, Steve McCleary (Derek). When a woman (DeCamp) who attended the tabloid's Lonely Hearts Dance is found dead, McCleary investigates further and finds out that she was murdered. He's determined to track down the killer, not realizing that the murderer is very close by.Good, fast-paced noir from Columbia. Lovely Donna Reed plays Julie, who writes features and eschews the tabloid side, while the hunky Derek is a guy who loves to go after a good story and is interested in Julie. Harry Morgan is a photographer. Henry O'Neill plays Charlie, a formerly great, not drunk journalist who knows more than he should. The acting is good all around.Crawford was one of those character actors whose talent brought him to leading roles. We boomers will know him forever as the star of "Highway Patrol" and his barking "10-4." Reed, Morgan, and DeCamp went on to make their marks on television, and Derek would retire from acting on concentrate on promoting his beautiful wives.Based on a story, "The Dark Page" by director Sam Fuller, this film is well done, and if you like noir, you'll enjoy it.

Shades of 1948's "The Big Clock"! Reporters on an East Coast newspaper diligently attempt to find the killer of a middle-aged, female "lonely heart" who was found murdered in her bath...but the culprit may be closer to them than they think! This must have been an embarrassment for John Derek, playing one of those cocky young journalists who keeps turning away crucial evidence out of sheer inexperience...and who doesn't even believe a witness who exposes the killer right in front of him! Donna Reed, as a writer with ethics, comes off somewhat better, while sweaty editor Broderick Crawford (looking more like Fred Flintstone than ever) goes a bit overboard with the tight grimaces and steely-eyed glares. Still, not all bad; the noir-styled cinematography is excellent, and the script, adapted from Samuel Fuller's novel "The Dark Page", is quite absorbing despite so many familiar ingredients. **1/2 from ****

A suspenseful little newspaper thriller about a bullish editor of a trashy paper (Broderick Crawford) who inadvertently engineers his own downfall when he commits murder and his young protégé (John Derek) dives into the case, smelling a sensational story that will send the paper's circulation skyrocketing.This film is full of little twists and turns that made me gasp and laugh out loud as they heaped one surprise on top of another. Crawford gives a convincing performance as a man who's taught his underlings too well: he has to try to figure out a way to make Derek give up on the case without making it too obvious that he wants the story buried. Derek is given an unconvincing love interest in the form of Donna Reed. She works at the paper too, but despises Crawford's management of it and sees a little too much of him rubbing off on her boyfriend for her own comfort. Derek is such an ass, it's inconceivable that Reed would want to give him the time of day. But the inconsistency in her character serves as only a minor distraction; it doesn't torpedo the film.Phil Karlson provides the fluid direction, and keeps things moving at a brisk pace.Good fun.Grade: A-

Watch Crawford sweat this one out! Great fun with Broderick Crawford as managing editor of a "Scandal Sheet" newspaper, with John Derek and Donna Reed on staff as reporters. The film uses the technique of showing the murderer's identity as the crime is committed (it's editor Crawford); then we watch him squirm as the reporter hero (Derek) and heroine (Reed) try to identify the killer and cover the story. Mr. Crawford must give the "Lonely Heart Killer" big coverage in his tabloid newspaper, or risk suspicion. When a possible witness turns up, things get complicated. Henry O'Neill is great as a washed-up old drunk who used to work for Crawford's newspaper. The film has a great style… beautiful black and white photography directed by Phil Karlson. Recommended viewing! ******** Scandal Sheet (1952) Phil Karlson ~ Broderick Crawford, John Derek, Donna Reed