Martin Bradley Taking her 1940's films into consideration the only thing Joan Fontaine might have been born to be was a mouse or, as she was portrayed in 1939's "The Women", a deer but as Joan got older Joan got bolder and by 1950 she was "Born to be Bad" and was holding the likes of Robert Ryan, Zachary Scott and Mel Ferrer in thrall. The director of this 'woman's picture' was Nicholas Ray who brought a steely edge to proceedings. Actually I've always thought Joan was born to play a bitch; that patrician air of hers was never suited to being simply 'nice' and it was to her credit that she could slip so easily between darkness and light, Here, though, she's almost too good to be true and I'm surprised no-one, other than good girl Joan Leslie, saw through her scheming earlier. Performances throughout are uniformly good; even Ferrer is first-rate here, (he hadn't yet developed that stiffness that marred his later work). Interestingly his character is probably meant to be gay but you really have to read between the lines and use a lot of imagination to get that. From a novel called "All Kneeling" by Ann Parrish.

LeonLouisRicci Not a Typical Movie from the Big Studios, RKO Delivers, once again an Atypical Attraction of the Human condition in very Flawed People. It would be a Stretch to call this Film-Noir but some may do so. Let us call it that only in the most Liberal Confines. Even Scholars have been Uneasy about a Definitive Definition that has been Extremely Elusive.The Story is Sudsy to say the least and has been a Literary Lexicon forever. Movies, on the other hand, use to Tread Softly on this kind of Sultry, Seductive, and Immoral Behavior. After the War things did begin to Change, but Slowly and not without Careful Consideration. The word "Sex" in an Amorous sense, as in We have a "Sexual" Attraction in common, is used here, for example. That just wasn't said and You would be Hard Pressed to find it used that way during this Era, and from Unmarried People no less.The Film has quite a few Witty Quips and it is Better Verbally than Visually. As so, it can be Entertaining in a Romance Novel kind of way and probably Enjoyed more by Women.

CitizenCaine Nicholas Ray was famous for strong character-driven drama, and Born To Be Bad was no exception. Joan Fontaine was well cast against type as the sweetly scheming Christabel, a ladder-climber come hither who inserts herself into the lives of rich guy Zachary Scott and his fiancé Joan Leslie. Meanwhile, author Robert Ryan enters the scenario as does painter Mel Ferrer, who together provide an interesting juxtaposition to the idleness of rich folk depicted by Scott and eventually Fontaine. Fontaine successfully depicts a manipulator out for her own benefit, although she may appear too meek for some viewers' tastes. However, part of being able to skillfully manipulate includes being a good actress and masking one's true intentions. This reviewer recently met the acquaintance of just such a manipulator.Scott takes a while to catch on, but he delivers an appropriate response when he does. Leslie has perhaps the most difficult role of the woman set aside who maintains her dignity. Her return, while eagerly met by Scott, does not entirely ring true, since Scott let her leave without wavering earlier. In fact, Scott probably does not deserve Leslie. Ryan adds the most interesting character to the film as an author who falls hard for Fontaine but realizes what he's getting into in the process. An argument could be made between the four principle actors/actresses that Ryan is the most morally honest character in the film. Ryan also has some of the best lines. Ferrer adds little as the painter of Fontaine's portrait who may have recognized her for who she was all along. Much has been made regarding Ferrer's gayness, but it really does not matter much in the context of the film and may even be portrayed in stereotypical fashion.The film was probably ahead of its time in its frank portrayal of the amoral Fontaine, but the film does not add up to much and is remembered mainly as a passable melodrama. The ending is especially not satisfying, as is often the case for these types of films. Scott gets Leslie when he does not deserve her. Fontaine crassly leaves with armfuls of furs, despite maintaining the facade of politeness to Ferrer's painter character, who takes back his portrait of her thinking the value increased significantly because of the scandal created. Interesting device used in that Ferrer's character paints likenesses/portraits/facades while Fontaine's character maintains a facade at all times. The film was famously spoofed in a sketch on "The Carol Burnett Show" many years later. **1/2 stars.

Jimmy L. I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed BORN TO BE BAD (1950). The plot, about a woman who infiltrates a circle of friends and destroys their relationships, suggests a lot of melodrama. But the movie is buoyed by an excellent cast of characters and a script that sparkles with wit.There is drama, to be sure, but there's some nice humor that comes from the characters and their relationships with one another. Nothing gets so serious that somebody pulls a gun or commits suicide or anything. There are no shrill histrionics. The movie is a little racy for Hayes Code fare, but it's not terribly dark or gritty. It's a rather pleasant tale about a selfish woman who only hurts herself in the end.Robert Ryan is great as the cynical, rough-edged author. Mel Ferrer is great as the witty painter. Joan Fontaine is lovely as always as the maneater who conceals her scheming behind a façade of sweet innocence. This is a sexier, sneakier Joan Fontaine than viewers may be accustomed to. Joan Leslie, still only twenty-five, is fine in her adult role, after years of playing ingenues. Zachary Scott rounds out the principal cast as Leslie's rich fiancé.Nicholas Ray deftly handles the directing duties, in both the busy party scenes and the noir-ish love scenes.The movie isn't very deep or compelling, but it is very watchable thanks to the terrific performances and some wonderfully witty lines. Robert Ryan steals the show.