A veteran's relentless pursuit of acting success amid personal sacrifices and political persecution.
Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
Ambition in the Shadows
Sam returns from WWII and faces relentless audition rejections in New York. He joins a struggling off-Broadway group and eventually marries Sharon Kensington to secure industry backing.
Key Events
Return from WWII Service — Sam returns from WWII and leaves home to pursue acting in New York. Characters: Sam LawsonLocation: Lansing, Michigan
Early Audition Rejections — Sam faces relentless rejection despite his dedication and passion for theater. Characters: Sam LawsonLocation: New York City
Joining Actors Rostrum — Sam joins the off-Broadway grassroots theater group run out of a seamen's mission. Characters: Sam LawsonLocation: Greenwich Village
Group Financial Collapse — The theater group runs out of money, forcing Sam to seek other opportunities. Characters: Sam LawsonLocation: Greenwich Village
Marriage and Betrayal
Sam's career rises with Kensington's support, but his marriage fractures when Sharon's pregnancy with another man is revealed. He negotiates a divorce for a theater role that is ultimately denied.
Key Events
Marriage to Sharon — Sam marries Sharon Kensington for stability and career support. Characters: Sam Lawson, Sharon KensingtonLocation: New York City
Kensingtons Industry Backing — Robert provides grudging but crucial industry backing to elevate Sam's career. Characters: Sam Lawson, Robert KensingtonLocation: Broadway
Sharon's Pregnancy Revelation — Sharon is revealed to be pregnant with Novak's child while married to Sam. Characters: Sharon KensingtonLocation: Private Residence
Divorce Deal Negotiation — Sam agrees to grant Sharon a divorce in exchange for a lead theater role. Characters: Sam Lawson, Sharon KensingtonLocation: New York City
Novak Reneges on Deal — The director breaks the agreement, leaving Sam without the promised role. Characters: Sam LawsonLocation: Theater Office
War and Blacklisting
Sam serves in Korea and returns to find his career derailed by political blacklisting. Forced into menial waiter work, he struggles to survive while his agent Shirley remains his steadfast supporter.
Key Events
Novak Reneges on Deal — The director breaks the agreement, leaving Sam without the promised role. Characters: Sam LawsonLocation: Theater Office
Korean War Deployment — Sam is called up from reserves to serve in Korea, pausing his career. Characters: Sam LawsonLocation: Korea
Return to Audition Circuit — Sam returns to New York and resumes the grueling round of auditions. Characters: Sam LawsonLocation: New York City
Blacklist Discovery — Sam is discovered to be on the blacklist due to his theater connections. Characters: Sam Lawson, Shirley DrakeLocation: Agency Office
Forced Waiter Employment — Blacklisted Sam is forced to take menial work as a waiter to survive. Characters: Sam LawsonLocation: Restaurant
Redemption on Broadway
After a chance meeting and a fresh offer from a former director, Sam returns to acting. His play succeeds on Broadway, culminating in a reflective conversation about the worth of his sacrifices.
Key Events
Forced Waiter Employment — Blacklisted Sam is forced to take menial work as a waiter to survive. Characters: Sam LawsonLocation: Restaurant
Survival Declaration — Sam tells Drake that his only option is to survive the political climate. Characters: Sam Lawson, Shirley DrakeLocation: Restaurant
Novak Returns with Offer — Novak reappears, confesses past political ties, and offers a fresh start. Characters: Sam LawsonLocation: New York City
First Wife Reunion — An accidental meeting with his first wife who now understands his ambition. Characters: Sam LawsonLocation: Street
Accepting New Theater Role — Sam quits restaurant work and accepts Novak's offer to return to acting. Characters: Sam LawsonLocation: Theater
Play Heads to Broadway — The new play achieves success and transitions to a major Broadway run. Characters: Sam LawsonLocation: Broadway Theater
Broadway Stardom Achieved — Sam finally emerges as a major actor after years of struggle and sacrifice. Characters: Sam LawsonLocation: Broadway Stage
Drakes Final Question — Drake asks Sam if his lifelong struggles and humiliation were worth it. Characters: Sam Lawson, Shirley DrakeLocation: Theater Backstage
Affirmation of Worth — Sam confirms that his dedication to the stage was ultimately worth it. Characters: Sam LawsonLocation: Theater Backstage
Career Legacy Established — Sam's journey concludes with validated success and personal peace. Characters: Sam LawsonLocation: New York City
Story Breakdown
Early Struggles — Sam navigates post-war life and faces systemic rejection in the New York theater scene.
Military Transition — Sam leaves Michigan to pursue acting in New York after WWII service.
Audition Circuit — Relentless rejection forces Sam to join a grassroots off-Broadway group.
Marriage Dynamics — Sam secures industry backing through marriage, but personal betrayal undermines the union.
Kensington Backing — Robert Kensington provides crucial Broadway connections to elevate Sam's career.
Sharon Betrayal — Sharon's pregnancy with another man's child strains the marriage to breaking point.
Career Disruption — A broken acting deal and military deployment halt Sam's professional momentum.
Broken Agreement — The director reneges on the promised lead role, leaving Sam without work.
Korean Deployment — Sam is called to serve in Korea, pausing his acting ambitions entirely.
Political Persecution — Sam faces McCarthy-era blacklisting, forcing him into menial labor and survival mode.
Blacklist Discovery — Sam is flagged for subversive theater connections, destroying his career prospects.
Waiter Survival — Blacklisted Sam takes restaurant work while his agent Shirley provides emotional support.
Professional Resurgence — A fresh opportunity and personal reflection push Sam back into the theater world.
Novak Return — A former director offers a new off-Broadway project, prompting Sam to quit waiter work.
First Wife Meeting — An accidental encounter with his ex-wife validates Sam's lifelong artistic dedication.
Final Triumph — Sam achieves Broadway success and reflects on the personal cost of his artistic journey.
Broadway Success — The new play transfers to Broadway, establishing Sam as a major stage actor.
Worth Reflection — Shirley asks if the struggles were worth it, and Sam affirms his dedication to the stage.
Playwright James Lee adapted his off-Broadway play for the screen in this high-strung adaptation, directed by Joseph Anthony. In this simplistic, backroom show-business-success saga, Anthony Franciosa plays Sam, a struggling young actor who will forsake his family and take any type of menial job in order to become a Broadway star. Dean Martin is on hand as Maury, an aspiring director also trying to claw his way up the ladder of success. When Maury gets his big break, Sam wants a part in his show, but when Maury, who is unwilling to cast Sam in the production, turns down Sam's request, Sam seduces and marries Maury's girlfriend (Shirley MacLaine). In spite of everything, Maury wants his girl back, and Sam agrees to a divorce on the stipulation that Maury cast him as the star in his next show. Once again, Maury reneges and, before Sam can exact his revenge, Uncle Sam comes to the rescue and he is drafted into the army.
