For Men Only (1952 film)

For Men Only (reissued as The Tall Lie) is a 1952 American film noir directed by Paul Henreid about hazing on college campuses. It also stars Henreid.

For Men Only
Directed by	Paul Henreid
Produced by	Paul Henreid Edward Nassour
Screenplay by	Lou Morheim & Herbert Magolis
Based on	story by Lou Morheim & Herbert Magolis
Starring	Paul Henreid
Production company	H-N Productions
Distributed by	Lippert Pictures (US) Exclusive Pictures (UK)
Release date	January 11, 1952 (1952-01-11) (United States)
Running time	93 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

It was the film debut of Russell Johnson.

It was also known as The Tall Lie.

Cast

• Paul Henreid as Dr. Stephen Brice
• Margaret Field as Julie Brice
• James Dobson as Bartholomew "Beanie" Brown
• Douglas Kennedy as Colin Mayberry
• Robert Carson as Jesse Hopkins
• Virginia Mullen as Mrs. Palmer
• O. Z. Whitehead as Professor Bixby
• Kathleen Hughes as Tracy Norman
• Vera Miles as Kathy
• Russell Johnson as Ky Walker

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]

References

1. HELEN, G. H. (Jul 15, 1951). "COAST'S STARS SUCCUMB TO THE DIRECTING URGE". New York Times – via ProQuest.
2. Schallert, E. (Sep 30, 1951). "Screen". Los Angeles Times – via ProQuest.
3. Schallert, E. (Jan 30, 1951). "Drama". Los Angeles Times – via ProQuest.
4. Schallert, E. (Mar 1, 1951). "Drama". Los Angeles Times – via ProQuest.
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 – via ProQuest.
7. "Paderewski in film". Los Angeles Times. Jun 14, 1951 – via ProQuest.
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 – via ProQuest.

External links

• For Men Only on IMDb
• For Men Only at the TCM Movie Database
• Review of film at The New York Times