hourmatt326 The Fearmakers is a bland film. I didn't really enjoy this movie. I couldn't get involved in the story because I couldn't get interested or attached to any of the charters involved. The dialogue wasn't anything special and was bland as well. The only thing I really found interesting was how it was shot, the camera work isn't bad and I thought the it was editited well. But this couldn't help that it didn't have the best story and the people involved in the story were forgettable and from the beginning I found myself not interested in the cold war story line or how the main charter was going to fix it in the investigation of the newly run business. That is how The Fearmakers earned a 5/10.

MartinHafer Dana Andrews was taken prisoner during the Korean War and finally arrives home after being away for many years. But now he has periodic dizzy spells as a result of his brutal captivity. When he goes to Washington to meet his old business partner at a public relations office, he learns that his partner is dead and the business was sold out from under him to a guy that is obviously a jerk. After storming out of the office, Andrews meets with an old friend, a Senator, and learns that his old firm is doing a lot to distort truth and influence opinion--as they are a probable front group. Oddly, they never say "communist", but it's obvious that's what they intend. So, in order to expose this evil plot, Andrews returns and makes nice with the jerk and joins the firm.Generally, it's a pretty good curio of the time and it is one of the few chances you'll get to see Mel Tormé in an important role (though, oddly, he gets very low billing despite all his screen time). As always Andrews is very good, but towards the very end of the film the writers make a bad gaff--making the otherwise decent film really clichéd. This is when Andrews catches the baddies and is holding a gun on them. Just then, of all times, he gets a blinding headache and drops his gun!!! Come off it, this is just ridiculous and sets up an unnecessary final chase scene.Also, it's rather funny that the things the firm is doing to illegitimately influence public opinion and Congress are EXACTLY the same things many organizations do regularly today!! One example in the film is how they ask loaded questions that make it appear the public feels one way when they don't--something we see on news shows all the time today! Overall, it's not a great film but interesting enough to make it a little better than just a time passer, though fans of Andrews (like me) will probably enjoy it.

angelsunchained Just think, in 1951, handsome Dana Andrews looked great in the Korean War flick, I Want You. Some seven years later, maybe because of a jet-set lifestyle, or excess drinking and smoking, or just a fast life of hard living, Dana Andrews looked really old and worn out in this second rate Cold War "thriller."Like Alan Ladd, Tyronne Power, and countless other stars, Andrews literally lost his "looks" by his early 40s. This is not to say his acting wasn't up to his former greatness. Of course this film looked like it was made on a shoe-string budget. The script was over-the-top, and it's clearly out-dated today. The Fearmakers is a fear to watch. Rent the classic, The Best Years of Our Life, to see the vintage Dana Andrews.

bigmoneygriff1 Just watched this on TCM. A problem I've always had w/Dana Andrews is his self-righteousness, but this 'red scare' film does raise concerns that are far more appropriate today regarding how pollsters & PR firms manipulate/create news & opinion versus measuring it. However in this film, the media (Washington Post reporter) & an 'old school' senator (you know, the ones that used to have a conscience & scruples) are the good guys. Nowadays, that just isn't very realistic as the media, political parties, representatives & lobbiests are all part of the Washington propaganda machine, only interested in retaining & growing on their own power base. But I digress. Look for Mel Torme in ridiculous Coke-bottle glasses. Also, DC-philes will enjoy all of the familiar landmarks with far cooler cars surrounding the city. Overall, not a waste of time. I give it a '6'.