This week’s mystery movie was the 1951 RKO film Payment on Demand, with Bette Davis, Barry Sullivan, Jane Cowl, Kent Taylor, Betty Lynn, John Sutton, Frances Dee, Peggie Castle, Otto Kruger, Walter Sande, Brett King, Richard Anderson, Natalie Schafer, Katherine Emery and Lisa Golm.
Written by Bruce Manning and Curtis Bernhardt.
Photographed by Leo Tover.
Assistant to producer, Art Siteman.
Music by Victor Young.
Art direction by Albert S. D’Agostino and Carroll Clark.
Set decorations by Darrell Silvera and Albert Orenbach.
Musical director C. Bakaleinikoff.
Technical adviser Jacques Kapralik.
Edited by Harry Marker.
Sound by Earl Wolcott and Clem Portman.
Bette Davis’ Gowns by Edith Head.
Makeup by Mel Berns.
Hairstyles by Larry Germain.
Produced by Jack H. Skirball.
Directed by Curtis Bernhardt.
Further information about Payment on Demand is available from the AFI Catalog.
Payment on Demand is available on DVD from Critics’ Choice Video.
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As usual, I selected Payment on Demand, a tale of ruthless social climbing and its ill effects on a marriage, by going through the trades. According to the AFI Catalog, four different endings were shown to preview audiences as the producers were unsure whether to conclude with a reconciliation between the main characters, played by Bette Davis and Barry Sullivan. The characters age and grow younger throughout the film and some of the actors are far older than the characters they play. Brett King, for example, is about 30 and plays a college student. Davis, 42 when the film was shot, plays a younger character in flashbacks and manages to carry it off.
I’m going to guess the Bosley Crowther said something rather positive about this drama of divorce and potential reconciliation, but with at least a few quibbles.
Pretty much what he says (The New York Times, February 16, 1951):
Bette Davis’ emancipation from those woman you love to hate roles was not as complete as we had reckoned after seeing her in All About Eve. In Payment on Demand, which was exhibited at the Music Hall yesterday, the talented actress is back in bondage to the supposed interests of her female fans. And once again in her haughtiest fashion she is making it evident to members of her sex how perilous it is for married women to aggravate their spouses (or is it spice?).
As a rich and self-satisfied matron who is suddenly confronted by her man with the rather surprising declaration that he would like a divorce, Miss Davis runs through the standard stages of confusion, resentment and revenge with the ease and the confident assurance of an experienced rider on a steeplechase course. She faces his declaration with elegant horror and shock. She sits down and reviews her life in flashback with suborn pride and furrowed brow.
For Monday, we have a mysterious couple. We’ll get a better look at them later in the week.
Update: This is Bette Davis and Barry Sullivan in one of four endings shot for the film.
For Tuesday, we have a mysterious fellow.
Update: This is Brett King.
For “Hm Wednesday,” we have two mysterious women.
Update: This is Betty Lynn, left, and Peggy Castle.
For “Aha Thursday,” we have a mysterious woman.
Update: This is Natalie “Lovey” Schafer in a “women who lunch” scene.
And a mysterious fellow with a mystery companion.
Update: This is Lisa Golm and Richard Anderson.
Brain Trust roll call: Howard Mandelbaum (mystery movie and Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s mystery guests) and Mike Hawks (Wednesday’s mysterious woman No. 1).
For Friday, we have our mysterious leads.
Update: This is Bette Davis and Barry Sullivan in a nice mirror shot.
Brain Trust roll call: Mary Mallory (mystery movie and all mystery guests), L.C. (mystery movie and mysterious cast), Howard Mandelbaum (Monday’s and Thursday’s mystery guests), B.J. Merholz (mystery movie and Thursday’s mystery woman No. 1), Sylvia E. (mystery movie and all mystery guests, plus mysterious leads and information on the mystery film), Mike Hawks (mystery movie and all mystery guests), Benito (Thursday’s mystery guests), Roget-L.A. (mystery movie and all mystery guests) and half-credit to Megan and Thom (right actors, but it’s a different movie).
ladailymirror.com 
No Highway in the Sky?
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I haven’t a clue as to the people or the movie, but those DC-3s belonged to TWA.
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Barbara Stanwyck and Gary Cooper?
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The man in the cloak could be Joseph Cotten.
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THE THIEF. Ray Milland Monday and Rex O’Malley today.
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I knew that Earl would know the type of plane!
Weirdly enough, Sunday I was watching an old episode of “This is Your Life”, Early 50s and the planes used to fly the guests in – TWA cyclones!
This is no help to me being able to guess anything. Just another of those strange coincidences.
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Brett King; Betty Lynn, Peggie Castle in PAYMENT ON DEMAND (1951).
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Betty Lynn.
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PAYMENT ON DEMAND. Bette Davis and Barry Sullivan Monday, Brett King Tuesday, Betty Lynn and Peggy Castle Wednesday, and Natalie Schafer (surrounded by Katherine Emery, Adrienne Marden, and Bette Davis out of frame), and Lisa Golm with Richard D. Anderson today.
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Payment on Demand (1951) w/Bette Davis, Barry Sullivan, Betty Lynn, Frances Dee, Richard Anderson, Natalie Schafer, Peggy Castle, Otto Kruger, Brett King, Kent Taylor…
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Monday: Bette Davis, Barry Sullivan.
Thursday: Natalie Schafer; Lisa Golm, Richard Anderson.
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Natalie brings her signature pearls to payment on Demand.
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‘Mrs. Thurston Howell III’ comes thru again. I remember another of the movie mysteries where she was my way in.
Anyhoo “Payment on Demand” 1951
Mon – Bette Davis and Barry Sullivan. According to the site “Old Movies Are Great”, Ms Davis said that they were “…all disappointed” with this revised ending. She indicated that the original ending in the script was indeed filmed and was the one that was emotionally right. It seems that Exec. Producer Howard Hughes decided that another ending was needed, had the actors perform the one that’s now in the film and flew the revised final reel back in time for it’s premier screening. Those must be Hughes’ planes in the BG.
Tues – Brett King
Wed – Betty Lynn (Barney Fife’s beloved Thelma Lou) and Peggie Castle
Thu – Natalie Schafer in image #1. Richard Anderson in image #2. Maybe the maid is Lisa Golm??
Friday will bring a full view of Bette Davis and Barry Sullivan. Maybe also Frances Dee?
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Brett King, Peggie Castle, Natalie Schafer, Richard Anderson, Bette Davis and Barry Sullivan in PAYMENT ON DEMAND.
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Richard Anderson and Natalie Schafer aka Mrs Howell aka Lovey
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Aha! Natalie Schafer, Richard Anderson, and Lisa Golm in Payment on Demand (1951) – with Bette Davis, Barry Sullivan, Brett King, Betty Lynn and Peggie Castle
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I need to trust my instincts more. I thought yesterday that it was “Thelma Lou”. Our movie Take Care of My Little Girl with Betty Lynn yesterday and Natalie Schafer today.
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Bette and Barry. I had our mystery leads on Monday too.
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