Finally seeing this "So bad it's good" film. This is essentially a dark, film noirish film about crappy people in Hollywood and the garbage they deal with every day, including themselves. The issue is pretty much what others have said here. Boyd, who could give a decent performance when he wanted to, overacts throughout the film and many of his lines are hilarious because of this. Tony Bennett also overacts, and his narration is hilariously bad. However, the film has some excellent supporting performances throughout, with the best one going to Milton Berle, who shows depth and sadness in his role as Boyd's agent. Elanor Parker also shows depth and pathos in her role as the woman who discovers Boyd. Elke Sommer is good too, as is Jack Soo, the flippant butler of Boyd. Ernest Borgnine is great as a skeezy private detective, too. Peter Lawford's performance as a once famous actor now working as a waiter, is exceptionally poignant. By the end of the film, you feel a deep sadness for everyone, including Boyd's character, who despite being a horrible person, becomes so pathetic at the end. Bob Hope, who plays himself in the film, says at the beginning of the film "this is the night we see who we hate the most", and by the end of the film, you see all the people who Frankie (Boyd) screwed during the film clap with glee when he doesn't win the Oscar. You see those people demonstrate "who they hate the most". In fact, the film isn't about the Oscar itself but more of a melodrama that Douglas Sirk would have had a field day with during his prime.
In other words, the film, despite its reputation, is not completely without interest and has some choice moments throughout.
In other words, the film, despite its reputation, is not completely without interest and has some choice moments throughout.