Scandal for Sale is a 1932 American pre-Code drama film directed by Russell Mack and starring Charles Bickford, Rose Hobart and Pat O'Brien. The film's sets were designed by the art director Charles D. Hall.
Plot Summary
In this drama, Charles Bickford stars as a tenacious city editor eager to employ sensationalist tactics to boost newspaper sales. The plot is adapted from Emile Gauvreau's novel, "Hot News", which drew from Gauvreau's personal experiences as a newspaper editor. Lured by a $25,000 incentive from publisher Berton Churchill, Bickford's character starts to insert fabricated news into his publication. Amidst this, he learns of an intimate relationship between his top reporter, played by Pat O'Brien, and his own estranged wife, portrayed by Rose Hobart. In a twist, Bickford assigns O'Brien to cover a risky trans-Atlantic flight, which culminates in O'Brien's tragic demise. Holding her husband responsible, Hobart's character contemplates leaving Bickford. Yet, he pleads for a second chance, suggesting they return to their hometown for a simpler, more contented existence. While the film's title suggests a deep dive into the world of journalism, it somewhat glosses over the novel's intricate commentary, especially when compared to contemporaneous films like "Five Star Final" (1931), which approached the subject matter with more intensity.
Cast
Charles Bickford as Jerry Strong
Rose Hobart as Claire Strong
Pat O'Brien as Waddell
Berton Churchill as Bunnyweather
J. Farrell MacDonald as Treadway
Buster Phelps as Bobby Strong
Betty Jane Graham as Mildred Strong
Tully Marshall as Simpkins
Claudia Dell as Dorothy Pepper
Harry Beresford as Brownie
Hans von Twardowski as Affner
Mitchell Harris as Carrington
References
Bibliography
Colin Schindler. Hollywood in Crisis: Cinema and American Society 1929-1939. Routledge, 2005.