The Saxon Charm (1948) Film Noir starring Susan Hayward John Payne Robert Montgomery Audrey Totter

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

[@alfredbonnabel7022]

I adore Susan Hayward's beauty and talent galore ❤ John Payne grew into his own and Robert Montgomery does obnoxious very well.

[@SuziQ.]

Almost too well.

[@cornbreadthedog]

Susan Hayward was just stunning! The camera just loves her!

[@annemccarron2281]

A true actress! She could play anything!

[@scvandy3129]

"cornbreadthedog," Stunning indeed. And imagine how triple the alluring effect would be if "The Saxon Charm" was in color. Evening gowns, silk pajamas, day clothes, swimwear. And that gorgeous shade of red her hair was. But enough of her looks; her talent took the material and had the audience believe in her and 'with her' every step of the way. We don't need a sequel because we know all roads for these two as a couple only point forward.

[@apro109]

Great little find! Equally sharp writing, direction and acting. The leads are all terrific, but I have to give it up for my girl Audrey Totter, who has to be one of the most underrated and completely unappreciated actresses in the entire noir canon. In a relatively short and woefully unheralded Hollywood mostly "B" career, she knocks it out of the park here just as she did in all her other roles. She had a natural if unconventional allure and an incredible range, a true chameleon with A-list skills who found that bit of truth in every character she was ever asked to play...and made it look effortless. It's worth it to make a beeline for every film she was in. And there were but a handful before she moved on. She really deserves her own retrospective. Anyone?

[@alfredbonnabel7022]

ALWAYS LOVE ❤️ HER.

[@maryperkins5867]

I totally agree about Audrey totter and appreciate your very good analysis!

[@apro109]

Thanks, Mary, I appreciate that!@@maryperkins5867

[@chandihac]

Lemme finis then. First look I do like her

[@apro109]

Thanks, Mary!@@maryperkins5867

[@santonujrt]

John Payne had stellar screen presence. I loved his films, he dressed very well. Seems little bit under-rated , might be favorite among women

[@carmencollor1224]

I love when I stamble upon a gem like this. Thanks so much. Very solid cast and a great script. A study in manipulation and the power & allure of money and success.

[@MirkaZemanova]

Stumbled upon this myself.

[@mikenixon2401]

I am glad I sumbled upon this film. I suspect one could perform a good study into the ego and how it can build or ruin a person. I am just sure how it gets categorized as noir. Robert Montgomery is solid as usual. Susan Hayward wins with her "common" beauty and charm. I wonder how she would have done had she lived longer.

[@CCCVoice1]

Robert Montgomery's excellent performance reminds me of a couple of abusive types I've met in the theatre. The whole cast seemed to "get" this story!

[@scvandy3129]

"mikenixon2401," "I wonder how she would have done had she lived longer." Had the television odds / gods been better / nicer then Susan Hayward, still radiant, a 'looker' at 53 and James Stacy ("Lancer") COULD have had a long, successful run with their proposed ABC lawyer series for the 1972 - 73 season, "Fitzgerald and Pride." Its 90-minute pilot had promise -- the attractive, established, female attorney Jessie Fitzgerald (Hayward) and her younger, handsome male protege Gus Pride (Stacy) -- when it aired as an "ABC Movie of the Week" March 3, 1972. Sadly and realistically, I emphasized "could" because "Fitzgerald and Pride" would be lucky, be pushing it, to reach three broadcast seasons since Hayward died March 1975 at age 57. Taking this a "if only . . . " step further, had the show survived to a second season, ['73 - 74], it's highly unlikely, due in part to the rigors of grueling hours necessary filming episodes on one-hour dramas, that Stacy would be out late at night, Sept. 27, 1973 -- smack in the middle of television series' production seasons -- tooling around L.A.'s Mulholland Drive on his motorcycle at midnight giving a girl he'd just met at the Melting Pot a ride, only to have the twosome end up splattered across the pavement by the force of a car driven by a drunk driver. She died; he lost an arm and a leg. [ed. - would be most interesting to know well Hayward and Stacy got along during production of their pilot -- were she on the west coast, fall '73 to spring '75 did she visit him in the hospital or rehab?]

[@shea5702]

Love Susan Hayward, thanks for the movie.

[@cgpyper7536]

Outstanding. Thanks RSaT. Classy Susan Hayward with her mature NewYorkese voice.

[@sarahhearn-vonfoerster7401]

Susan is from the hills of Georgia.

[@saran3214]

​@@sarahhearn-vonfoerster7401No, she is from NY. Would be happy to claim her, but she only lived here in Georgia for awhile. She lived in Atlanta and Carrollton.

[@yankeecitygirl]

she's a Brooklyn girl

[@laurabrowning7973]

Wow! Just wow!! I've never seen this before tonight. Thank you so much for posting!!

[@pietrangelaminuti2869]

Susan Hayword and John Paine my favorite actores ,even who play the part ove Mr.Sacsson

[@angelapietras1235]

Loved Susan Haywards films she’s really cute to I use to watch all these black and white movies with my mum.

[@scvandy3129]

"angelapietras1235," "she’s really cute". For most of her film career Susan Hayward, the ravishing redhead, was -- and was considered -- attractive, alluring, pretty, fetching, a 'looker,' femme fatale, and seductive. With a good night's sleep, flattering lighting, professional, TLC make-up and hair -- on some films and/or occasions -- Ms. Hayward reached the more selective 'beautiful' category. Save 'cute' for reasonable, objective descriptions -- at various times in their careers and lives -- of known actresses like Judy Garland, June Allyson, Florence Henderson, Kim Darby, Brenda Vaccaro, Vicki Lawrence, Linda Blair, Ann Meara, Dee Wallace, Jane Withers, Elinor Donahue, Rosemary DeCamp, Mariette Hartley, Arlene Golonka, Stephanie Faracy, Betty Garrett. In conclusion, a ravishing Susan Hayward does not fairly, adequately belong in the 'cute' or 'really cute' category.

[@SuziQ.]

@@scvandy3129, Beauty is subjective. Though most might say that Susan Hayward was stunning, there’s something cute about her nose.

[@vin.handle]

Susan Hayward was very beautiful and I thought had one of the most beautiful voices of all actresses. John Payne was always good. I didn't realize until recently that he was 6'4" and he towers over many of his co-stars. A more than competent singer and dancer, as well. He introduced the classic song 'Give Me the Simple Life' in a movie.

[@FreedomSpirit7]

What a good movie with the best actors and actresses of that time. 💙

[@marysepradet6162]

love Susan Hayward !

[@RuthShultz47]

Susan Hayward is quite lovely, she is an amazing actress, and makes every move she makes in character believable.😶

[@randytracy1742]

Nice movie! 🎥 Robert Montgomery, Susan Hayward, John Payne and Audrey totter round out this flick about a self-centered jerk who manipulates people to get what he wants and gets it! His protege tolerates him for a while but finally stands up to him in the end! I love ❤️ Susan Hayward- no wonder they called her the divine bitch but I’ve seen some of her movies 🍿- like Tulsa-and I agree she was one of the best actresses in the business! 👩‍💼 😮😮❤❤❤❤ ❤

[@FreedomSpirit7]

This shows Robert Montgomery's depth in his craft. Felt like socking him in the eye too. 😂 I loved Robert Montgomery another favorite of these Golden Era stars back in the day. Elizabeth Montgomery "Bewitched" she looked exactly like her Father.

[@rubymcclain5078]

Elizabeth certainly didn’t care for her father Robert Montgomery. I think they had unresolved issues from the time that he abandoned her mother.

[@scvandy3129]

@@rubymcclain5078 Either he wasn't as bad as all that or she let by-gones be by-gones or how else does one explain Elizabeth's 30 guest appearances in over five seasons of her dad's anthology series, "Robert Montgomery Presents" (1951 - 56)? The apple doesn't fall far from the tree: she had her share of leaving her spouse(s) emotionally stranded. [Absolutely LOVE Elizabeth Montgomery guest starring opposite Charles Bronson in the end-of-the-world episode of "The Twilight Zone," 'Two.']

[@donnabaardsen5372]

Excellent! Loved it. Saxon was an evil manipulator.

[@jumpingjflash]

I first read your post as "Saxon was an evil metaphor". Now, there's food for thought 😀

[@Yippekiyeah]

Fascinating and great cast. Thank you.😊

[@I_do_not_have_time_to_hurry]

Wow, that's the best display of narcissism I have ever seen. I doubt in 1948 narcissism was a common topic and the role was played so well by Robert Montgomery. The way he manipulates and charms, confuses and belittles everybody. It’s easy to see why these people have success, because there is something fascinating about their enthusiasm even when they are obviously not acting in a social or polite manner.

[@donnarouse9432]

Great cast!

[@karenhull2826]

Well it is how *Leave It To Beaver's * mom did everything around the house, with the exception that she also always wore her signature string of pearls. I think back then people held themselves to a higher standard and I kinda think that is something that is missing today. I remember as a kid, going to a family wedding in a different province, all the women still had their hair in curlers, but at the reception they had their make-up on, wore beautiful clothes and not a strand of hair was out of place. Well the hair couldn't be out of place, they used so much hairspray it was like their hair had become a helmet. Seriously, if a windstorm struck, their hair wouldn't move a single strand.

[@valeriebellefleur3005]

Life will never be the same as it was in the fifties..shame..

[@yevonnehorn6196]

Robert Montgomery, played a good part, You reap what you sow, what ever a man sow, so shall he reap. 😊

[@BlueBeeMCMLXI]

The other face of The Producers kind of story. Loved it. Writing is for people with long haul tenacity.

[@heatherbowlan1961]

Thank you for sharing you fantastic old Gems ❤😊

[@williamf4544]

It always makes me laugh so many of the ladies in these Hollywood films walk about their own homes cooking and doing their housework while wearing stileto heels - As if

[@pattimaeda6097]

Not stiletto

[@karenhull2826]

You forgot the string of pearls, the perfect hair and the apron that doesn't have any stains. 🤣

[@francesjohnson3045]

Shows Hollywood is light years away from the everyday little guys

[@carmencollor1224]

Well, my Mom did just that, almost all her life. She would cook and clean wering high heels! Died at 88 years of age. And my Dad insisted she woukd be interred wearing high heels. People would dress up even at home, in those days. My grandmother was always coifed, with a neat apron over her dress, stockings & heels. Nowadays you go to a restaurant and one id dressed as if one is going to bed.

[@petegregory517]

Never met my ex, huh? I don’t think she owned but 1-2 pair jeans and that was for motorcycle, till she got full leathers. This was late ‘60’s to mid ‘80’s. Seen her rarely since but she was still coiffed, but no more hi-heels which floored me, not even to my grandson’s wedding. Never flats but would do the chunky pumps and another low heel but can’t remember the style name. Seldom sneakers which she never wore out, just got tired of them. Dresses, jumpers for housework, a-lines and skirts even to ride bicycles and always looked like Vogue had scheduled a shoot.

[@LadyCaroline123]

Never saw anyone throw darts like that.

[@klasstrandberg3207]

Thanks for this movie, which kept me focused all through.

[@Ourladyrules]

Excellent character study, powerful, Thank You 🎥🥂

[@willowwobble]

Enjoyable film: it is fun to spot a star starting his career... look out for MASH 4077 Col. Potter- before he joined the army!!

[@jamespfp]

This film has rising tension like a pressure cooker that has a busted safety valve.

[@shan4078]

What a fabulous movie, thank you!

[@cornbreadthedog]

Wow. Mr. Saxon is a spoiled and rude jerk. But his one-liners when he's upset are pretty funny.

[@luciezak3671]

Saxon is the definition of fake it til you make it. lol

[@colvinator1611]

Simply superb !

[@arneldobumatay3702]

Montgomery's character . . . most despicable! Also, I'm not sure if I would categorize this as film noir.

[@yankeecitygirl]

maybe noir because title character is criminal and drove his wife to suicide

[@Mal0wens]

Absolutely brilliant!

[@waldolydecker8118]

Good film. Thanks for the post

[@retha1875]

Everyone seems to forget that women especially urban women, didn't wear jeans. They also didn't wear tennis shoes unless they were actually playing. They might wear flats.

[@mariasenteno7606]

Audrey Totter is beautiful and and so into carácter.

[@ClaudiaGale-wv9tz]

The eloquence in your writing is as enjoyable as this superlative movie...

[@immaterialimmaterial5195]

Superb in every way! Completely engaging. Bravo!

[@markgladman3646]

Whoever labeled this "Film Noir" obviously knows nothing of what constitutes the concept of Film Noir. "The Saxon Charm" has NOTHING TO DO WITH FILM NOIR. If you want to see John Payne in great Film Noir watch "The Crooked Way" or "99 River Street." Robert Montgomery and Audrey Totter are equally mesmerizing in NOIR offering "The Lady in the Lake." Montgomery in "Ride the Pink Horse," and Totter is an endearing NOIR siren in "The Postman Always Rings Twice," "Lady in the Lake," "The Unsuspected," Boxing Noir "The Set-Up" and "Tension." Just because a film is in black and white doesn't make it NOIR. "The Saxon Charm," is not even a distance cousin let alone and offering in the noir family.

[@youdecide4709]

Loved it. Thank you!

[@colleenkennedy1407]

Well worth watching!

[@TheNurulaulia]

I really want to punch Robert Montgomery's character. A true narcissist. Thanks for the upload tho

[@pattiwesthusing4308]

He’s an actor in a role! He usually plays a nice guy, so he’s versatile.

[@annemccarron2281]

I was married two 2 of him!

[@michaelpatanella]

Nice guys!? Lol he almost always plays some kinda creep, criminal or womanizer! Lmao ​@pattiwesthusing4308

[@CCCVoice1]

Hidden gem!

[@fredfungalspore]

AMAZING Movie on how some people have the ability to manipulate your life for good and bad ..Sometimes you have to go with that gut feeling and intuition. ..great acting and classic movie ...Pardon the pun They Don't write them like this anymore sadly

[@geegaw1535]

Thank you for the movies ❤

[@FreedomTruthBoldness]

I love people like Saxon, they give me the chance to boldly say, "NO!" lol

[@warrenmatha3424]

Super film and not destroyed by too many advertisements.

[@judyderieux8484]

Wow.......great movie ✨

[@annemccarron2281]

Susan Haward was married to her own narcissist - 1st marriage. She was happy in her 2nd.

[@sarahs5340]

Movie reads like a narcissist's playbook! Startling and contemporary psychological profile.

[@lindamcfadden5522]

That's what I thought after 5 minutes.

[@yevonnehorn6196]

Good enjoying 😊

[@ohwhatelse]

biig payne fan here. of course hayward, as well. always enjoy their performances,,, even when the movie isn't so good.

[@alexandradane3672]

Thank you for this great selection of movies . I have only just discovered your channel and will enjoy watching them . From a new Subscriber .

[@ladyrachel13]

The nurse sitting at the desk when he first walks in I believe is Kathleen Freeman. 1:47 It's great seeing 'Col. Potter' as a young man. 😄

[@jackjones8363]

A very enjoyable watch. I bet Woody Allen saw and learned from this excellent little movie...

[@user-vu3qx7uo1z]

Delightful movie 🎉Thank you 😊

[@j.p.bourget2045]

Powerful film..thanks to all.Enjoy Your Moments EYM

[@RetiredSchoolCook]

❤Best Wishes on 7000 ❤👍Great cast in this movie 🎥🎞📽🎬🥰

[@sharonpolikoff7282]

Montgomery's Saxon is just too blatantly awful. There's more believability in better-scripted characters like Kirk Douglas's Jonathan Shields in The Bad and the Beautiful. Nice to see Audrey Totter getting out of a bad situation, unlike in most of her other films.

[@frankshannon3235]

Another gem I'd never heard of. i thought Montgomery was wonderful. Reminds me of Lionel Barrymore in "Twentieth Century". I wonder if Montgomery's Saxon was sort of modelled on Barrymore's Jaffe. His last scene is really great.

[@raynonabohrer5624]

Great movie 🎬 🎞 🎥 🎦 📽

[@reecedurabb]

Kathleen Freeman must have been 19 yrs old in 1948. See The Razors Edge for a great John Payne role.

[@reecedurabb]

Did you see the first nurse? Kathleen Freeman. She was in millions of shows. Her last role was the cranky mom of Al Bundy on MWC. Never seen but always complaining. You know her.

[@sjr7822]

Great movie and a great example of a toxic personality.

[@acastrohowell]

Enjoyed this movie 🍿

[@user-dz1rc4wk2t]

Terrifically calming residence

[@yougetagoldstar]

Amazing movie. I usually watch movies in pieces for time's sake but I had to sit through all of this. I loved all the cast and even loved to hate Saxon. I'd also liked to point out that a woman can be portrayed as feminine, traditional housewife as women originally were and still seem absolutely wonderful. I also need to correct her statement at 7:40 : she is actually smart enough in the head to _not_ have a career and pure hearted enough to hate women's clubs and like herself in an apron.

[@stevelewis6341]

Controlling personality disorder

[@annemccarron2281]

Narcissistic personality disorder - classic!

[@tubespring]

Very good!

[@deguilhemcorinne418]

Que Susan Hayward puisse être délaissée pour un prétentieux manipulateur me paraît hautement improbable. Quelqu'un a dû retoucher le scénario d'origine... Mais bon j'adore Susan Hayward, et Audrey Totter a un rôle très intéressant. Bon moment au total.

[@martinmcglone8456]

excellent movie

[@rhj0723]

poignant message on the significance of boundaries in the absence of self care ☺️

[@sjohnson1216]

Chill Wills!

[@melodyberndt3914]

Liked it !!

[@gordonhardwick5151]

Was this dreadful narcissist based on one or two real Hollywood producers? The plot reads like a revenge attack! Wonderful to watch it through without ads!

[@peedeel2077]

That seemed like just a drama to me, rather than film noir. Not a knifing, not a shooting, not a murder. Pure drama.

[@drcandor]

One of the best i've seen in quite some time, glad i am a subber. . . :>/

[@youdodat2]

Wow!

[@karenholley8356]

Thumbs up & subscribe -- hit the notification "ALL" bell. O.K. So, I'm at 31:52/1:27:54, and can say that this is a fabulous movie! Watch it. You will not be disappointed! Thank you, Rare Silents and Talkies for posting this for us. Much appreciated! Happy Holidays to all.

[@connie9302]

Enjoyed 😊

[@angelamalek]

Great script!

[@DuchessBirdie]

When people walked together strolling in parks safely and just strolling...

[@QueenVelveeta]

My mother's favorite actor was John Payne.

[@antonietadeoliveira4900]

Thank you for posting a good movie. That Saxon was obnoxious.... unfortunately, there are many Saxons in this world!!!

[@areguapiri]

The husband was a weak, timid man.

[@melanie_luv2_sew]

6/10 ok ok 7/10 the ending flipped me.

[@user-mx3xg8ui3p]

J aime beaucoup les films avec susan Hayworth on m à demander si c était rita ou susan Hayworth c'est susan mais je n'ai rien contre rita qui était très bien dans Gilda avec glenn ford ❤❤

[@pattimaeda6097]

English

[@trudi1962]

Oh look, a 1940s narcissist. Nothing changes. A fabulous movie!!!

[@deegeraghty9426]

"I'm not smart enough to have a career and I kind of like myself in an apron" ... Oh dear ! It WAS a man's world then ... and still is ....

[@thomassnider6691]

Hardly a film noir, but I enjoyed the movie nonetheless.

[@jamy8575]

Colonel Potter strikes again

[@user-xr2mq7ye5o]

Love these movies but there's so many ads😮

[@DuchessBirdie]

John Payne Noir favorite, Susan Hayward the ultimate actress that was gorgeous but never afraid to not look it for a role, Harry Morgan M.A.S.H, and Robert Montgomery who drove ambulance in France WWll and gets to use his French skills and was father of Elizabeth Montgomery from Bewitched yes THAT Montgomery but I always mix him up with Robert Young😅

[@peggybegin8241]

Finally, too bad he didn't give TWO black eyes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@bluejade1212]

Flatulent Florence Nightingale 😂😂😂😂

[@bsr8255]

Very funny character.