For Men Only (1952 film)

For Men Only is a 1952 American film noir directed by Paul Henreid about hazing on college campuses. Henreid also starred in the film alongside Margaret Field and Kathleen Hughes. The film was distributed by the independent Lippert Pictures. It was the film debut of Russell Johnson. It was also known by the alternative title of The Tall Lie.

For Men Only
Directed byPaul Henreid
Screenplay byLou Morheim
Herbert Magolis
Produced byPaul Henreid
Edward Nassour
StarringPaul Henreid
Margaret Field
Kathleen Hughes
CinematographyPaul Ivano
Edited bySherman A. Rose
Music byHoyt Curtin
Production
company
H-N Productions
Distributed byLippert Pictures (US)
Exclusive Pictures (UK)
Release date
  • January 11, 1952 (1952-01-11)
Running time
93 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

Tough college student Tod Palmer (Robert Sherman) patiently suffers increasingly severe hazing at the hands of sadistic Ky Walker (Russell Johnson) while pledging a fraternity at Wake College. Attempting to bring the ritual initiation abuses to the authorities' attention, Tod accidentally dies after fleeing from the angry fraternity brothers. Medical professor Dr. Stephen Brice (Paul Henreid) then tries to end the practice of hazing, determined to obtain justice for one of his best students.

Production

Henreid had directed in theatre but this was his first film.[1] He had produced two films before, Hollow Triumph and So Young, So Bad.[2]

Paul Henreid set up the project with Edward Nassour. They established HN Productions - for Henreid and Nassour.[3] In March 1951 they arranged finance through Robert L. Lippert.[4] Henreid and Lippert were secretive about the subject matter, describing it as "topical and controversial."[5] Henreid admitted he later kept the topic secret so no other produces would beat them to the screens with a similar story.[2]

Filming started 5 September 1951 at the General Service Studio.[6][7] There had been a week's rehearsal beforehand. Filming took 16 days, and was completed two days ahead of schedule.[2]

Henreid said getting the script and finance and making the film took him a year.[2][8] He says he originally wanted to call the film Hell Night but the distributors came up with For Men Only.[9]

Henreid wanted to make The Spanish Grandee and Ring around Saturn for Nassour but these were never made.[2]

Reception

Henreid later said the film was "very successful" and credited it with launching his directing career.[10]

Cast

References
  1. HELEN, G. H. (Jul 15, 1951). "COAST'S STARS SUCCUMB TO THE DIRECTING URGE". New York Times. ProQuest 111950013.
  2. Schallert, E. (Sep 30, 1951). "Screen". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 166289738.
  3. Schallert, E. (Jan 30, 1951). "Drama". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 166148382.
  4. Schallert, E. (Mar 1, 1951). "Drama". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 166160383.
  5. THOMAS F BRADY (Mar 1, 1951). "TWO NEW COMEDIES SCHEDULED AT U.-I". New York Times.
  6. THOMAS M PRYOR (Aug 16, 1951). "40 FEATURE FILMS PLANNED BY METRO". New York Times. ProQuest 112162950.
  7. "Paderewski in film". Los Angeles Times. Jun 14, 1951. ProQuest 166197122.
  8. J.D. SPIRO. (Oct 28, 1951). "HOLLYWOOD SPLIT". New York Times.
  9. Henreid, Paul; Fast, Julius (1984). Ladies man : an autobiography. St. Martin's Press. p. 195.
  10. Alpert, D. (Oct 13, 1963). "Other end of megaphone gives Henreid new outlook". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 168339025.
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