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Drama Cult Classic

A ruthless stage mother schemes her daughter's rise up Broadway’s ladder—at any cost.

CAREER BED

1969 · 1h 19m · NR · Drama · IMDB TMDB

A stage mother is desperate to make her daughter into a movie star. So desperate that she will do anything and is willing to have her daughter bed anyone if it will advance her career.

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What is Career Bed about?

Career Bed is a 1969 American drama film directed by Joel M. Reed about a stage mother who will stop at nothing—including manipulation and seduction—to turn her daughter into a star.

Synopsis

Widowed Emily Potter drags her pretty daughter Susan away from her boyfriend, Bob Dartfield, and comes to New York City, intent on forcing Susan up Broadway's ladder to success. Bob follows them and, to insure that Susan will not weaken from the resolve her mother has forced upon her, Emily seduces Bob, telling him that Susan is having an affair with a producer, a blatant lie. Emily forces Susan to have relations with Miss Reynolds, a lesbian agent, and tries later to do the same with David Smith, a television producer. 

Susan's rebellion subsides when Emily attempts suicide, thereby coercing her daughter into total obeisance. Susan falls prey to Gerald Ramer, an "agent" who promises her to film producer Ross Miller. Both Ramer and Emily try to obtain a contract from Miller by using Susan as a pawn, but the young woman manages to convince Miller that she really loves him and they marry. Thoroughly corrupted by her experiences, Susan ruthlessly begins to use her body to advance her career. Emily, cast aside, is planning the future of another ingenue.
Details & Specs
Director
Joel M. Reed
Writer
Joel M. Reed
Release
1969
Runtime
1h 19m
Genres
Drama

Why Cult

Stage Mother Meltdown

Emily Potter’s obsessive drive to make her daughter a star leads to a relentless spree of manipulation and emotional warfare.

Broadway Underbelly

The film drags viewers through a sordid, anything-goes version of New York’s theater world, where ambition trumps morality.

Georgina Spelvin Appearance

Catch cult legend Georgina Spelvin in an uncredited role as Miss Reynolds, adding extra sleaze credentials to the cast.

Joel M. Reed Direction

Before Bloodsucking Freaks, Reed sharpened his taste for transgression here—writing, directing, and even acting in the film.

Questions from the Vault

What is Career Bed about? +

Career Bed is a drama centered on a stage mother who manipulates and coerces her daughter into sexual liaisons in a desperate bid for Broadway fame.

When was Career Bed released? +

Career Bed was released in 1969.

Who directed Career Bed? +

Career Bed was directed by Joel M. Reed.

How long is Career Bed? +

Career Bed has a runtime of 79 minutes.

What genre is Career Bed? +

Career Bed is a drama.

Where can I watch Career Bed? +

Career Bed is available to watch on SassyFlix.