Nicholas Ray's career remains unique in its peaks and valleys, but his work has never been dull. Even A WOMAN'S SECRET stirs memories, notably from the performance of his then-wife Gloria Grahame. BORN TO BE BAD is an "almost" -- its depiction of the New York theatrical lifestyle on on-target, down to the living quarters. And its characters ring true. Still, the plot, if taken apart, is a muddle in the middle. Nonetheless, Ray has provided strong mise en scene, and offered an underrated star like JOAN LESLIE an opportunity to show how truthful and relaxed a performer she was. Her performance is almost equalled by that of MEL FERRER as the "probably-gay" character. In her role, JOAN FONTAINE, an excellent actress, is able to convey the seven-faced facets of a woman who misuses friendships, romance, and opportunity... all for her benefit. ROBERT RYAN, as ever, offers a solid performance though his character is far less defined. and ZACHARY SCOTT does well too. Ray's use of camera angles, lighting, etal. may seem commonplace, but there is careful use of everything involved. But what is remembered, when all is said and done, is the work of JOAN LESLIE as the put-upon fiance. It is performances like hers that are ignored... but that are enormously difficult to bring across accurately. Hers is the pilot light that keeps BORN TO BE BAD intriguing.

Nicholas Ray directed some interesting features back in the day, but few as interesting and engrossing as Born To Be Bad. I'm surprised with the beginning of the McCarthy Era and the omnipotent Code in place this one got out.

For one thing the bad girl doesn't come out so bad in the end. Joan Fontaine plays the scheming bad girl although like Eve Harrington she doesn't appear so bad at first. A guest to the wedding of friend Joan Leslie and the rich Zachary Scott she winds up stealing Scott away.

Fontaine is quite clever how she does it. Scott has a rich man's paranoia of being loved and wanted only for his money. She plays him like a piccolo where Leslie is concerned.

Still she's a girl who wants it all and bad boy Robert Ryan is her cup of tea. He sees her exactly for what she is but she does get his hormones racing.

Born To Be Bad is a most adult drama in a G rated era. In fact during that era when the government was on a search and destroy mission against gays in the military and government service Mel Ferrer as portrait painter confidante to all except Ryan in the film was about as daringly gay as you could get without an outright label. Ferrer has some priceless scenes and some great lines, especially the finale which he shares with Fontaine.

This one is a keeper. Do not miss Born To Be Bad if broadcast.

BORN TO BE BAD is a film featuring the lovely Joan Fontaine in the role of a femme fatale who works her way between various male figures, destroying each of them in turn. She's the original adulteress - the character is a thoroughly vindictive one despite the outer niceties - and it's clear from the very beginning that Fontaine just isn't right for the role. You could see somebody like Bette Davis playing this, but Fontaine doesn't really convince - you get the feeling she hasn't got a mean bone in her body.

Otherwise, BORN TO BE BAD is a fairly straightforward type of melodrama, with solid direction from Nicholas Ray but nothing much else to distinguish it from plenty of others. There are a couple of nice supporting roles for Mel Ferrer and Robert Ryan, but the plot consistently fails to ignite and the ending is more of a damp squib than a real firework.