The Saxon Charm (1948)

Saxon Charm is a 1948 film noir drama film written and directed by Claude Binyon based on the novel of the same name by Frederic Wakeman Sr.. It starred Robert Montgomery, Susan Hayward, John Payne and Audrey Totter. 

The Saxon Charm Posters

 In order to get his way, New York producer Matt Saxon manipulates and controls everyone around him but his latest protégé, novelist Eric Busch, finally stands-up to him.           

Plot

In a hospital, theatrical producer Matt Saxon is introduced to writer Eric Busch, and ends up offering to produce Eric's new play with financing from millionaire Zack Humber.

Alma Wragg, a singer, is Saxon's girlfriend, but she warns Eric's wife Janet about the producer's notorious "Saxon charm" that coaxes others into doing his bidding, only to end up badly for everyone involved. Sure enough, Saxon's behavior soon ruins Alma's nightclub audition.

It isn't long before Saxon makes a pest of himself, interrupting a beach vacation Eric and Janet take, closing the show after a poor review, then persuading Eric to go off by himself to do rewrites. Saxon loses the financial backing of Humber so he works on his ex-wife to put up the money, not knowing she is broke.

Alma gets a chance to be in a Hollywood movie, but Saxon interferes with that as well. Janet, upset by Eric's absences, begins drinking and threatens to leave him. Eric finally punches Saxon, who is so oblivious to his destructive nature, he even contributes to his ex-wife's suicide. Eric and Janet get away from him just in time. 

Director: Claude Binyon

  Claude Binyon (1905–1978)
Writer | Director | Producer

A writer with powerful leanings towards wit and satire, Claude Binyon started out as a reporter for the Chicago Examiner. Unsuited to being a straight newspaperman, he was quickly fired. Nonetheless, the editors of the paper recognised writing skill when they saw it and recommended him to the show biz magazine Variety. 

Stars: Robert Montgomery, Susan Hayward, John Payne 

 Robert Montgomery  (1904–1981)
Producer | Actor | Soundtrack

As a child, Robert Montgomery enjoyed a privileged life, as his father was the president of the New York Rubber Co. When he died, the fortune was gone and Robert worked at a number of jobs. He later went to New York to be a writer, and on the advice of a friend tried acting. He worked with George Cukor on the stage and his first film

 Susan Hayward (I) (1917–1975)
Actress | Soundtrack

Susan Hayward was born Edythe Marrener in Brooklyn, New York, on June 30, 1917. Her father was a transportation worker, and Susan lived a fairly comfortable life as a child, but the precocious little redhead had no idea of the life that awaited her. She attended public school in Brooklyn, where she graduated from a commercial high school 

 John Payne (I) (1912–1989)
Actor | Producer | Soundtrack

Perhaps not so surprisingly, John Payne maintained that his favorite movie of all time was one of his own -- Miracle on 34th Street (1947) -- simply because it reflected his own strong and spiritual belief system. Today, of course, the film, which co-stars beautiful Maureen O'Hara, Oscar-winning Edmund Gwenn as Kris Kringle and little ... 

This movie was released to theaters on 29th of September, 1948. It entered the public domain on 8th of October, 1973. Copyrights expired.