NOTHING SACRED

Cinemavixion Review

William A. Wellman's "Nothing Sacred" from 1937 is a razor-sharp screwball comedy that brilliantly skewers media sensationalism and public gullibility. Carole Lombard delivers a career-defining performance as Hazel Flagg, an "innocent" small-town woman who, upon learning she's supposedly dying from radium poisoning, becomes the darling of the press and the nation. Fredric March is equally superb as the unscrupulous reporter, Wally Cook, who smells a career-making story in Hazel's plight. The film masterfully navigates the line between genuine human drama and biting satire, as Hazel's supposed terminal illness transforms her into a national celebrity, only for her to discover the truth and exploit the situation for her own gain. The chemistry between Lombard and March crackles, making their evolving relationship a compelling counterpoint to the media circus surrounding them. With a witty script by Ben Hecht and impeccable direction from Wellman, "Nothing Sacred" remains a timeless commentary on fame, fabrication, and the public's insatiable appetite for a good story, earning a remarkable 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and a solid 6.8/10 on IMDb.