Director Edgar Ulmer wants RUTHLESS to put himself up there with the bigger directors. This is one of those old black and white dramas you won't walk away from. Horace Vendig(Zachary Scott)is the product of a broken home; not having any of the luxuries his friends had. Horace honed his intelligence to become a cold-hearted, callous and ruthless financier. Even his childhood friend Vic(Louis Hayward)could not believe what he made of himself. Vendig would charm women to just throw away when another caught his eye. Love was out of the question. All Horace was interested in was notoriety and wealth. He sold himself as a respectable philanthropist; while all along he shamelessly trampled on anyone that got in his way. Matinée idol Scott plays the role very well. Scenery and storyline are interesting and the cast is strong. Other players: Diana Lynn, Martha Vickers, Sydney Greenstreet, Lucille Bremer and Raymond Burr. Robert J. Anderson plays Horace with Arthur Stone playing Vic in the flashback scenes. Borderline Film Noir.
Review of Ruthless
