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Payment on Demand

Play trailer Poster for Payment on Demand Released Feb 3, 1951 1h 30m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 1 Reviews 59% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
David (Barry Sullivan) gives his wife, Joyce (Bette Davis), an unexpected -- and unpleasant -- surprise when he suddenly demands a divorce. When she then learns that David has taken up with a younger woman, Joyce decides to make the most of this separation by taking a solo trip to the Caribbean. However, just before diving into a vacation fling, she runs into Emily (Jane Cowl), an old chum whose own divorce has left her embittered. Joyce then debates giving married life one last chance.
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Payment on Demand

Critics Reviews

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Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: B- Feb 21, 2013 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member What's new? Bette is the same character here she is in most of her films, not carving out any new acting abilities. This is her forte; a true Bette Davis movie, so you know it will be over the top with hysterical drama. Nothing in the real world would happen quite like this. That's what makes the Bette Davis films fun for such a large group of people. She does things that others can't do. She gets away with things that others can't. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/16/23 Full Review Audience Member Sudsy melodrama, with a stereotypical Davis performance. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member A rarely seen Bette Davis move and a must see. Brilliant and moving performance by Awesome and moving performance by Bette Davis and realistic plot for this timely piece. Great performance by Sullivan and enjoyed their chemistry along with their emotional conflict. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/15/23 Full Review Audience Member the best part of "payment on demand" is a tie between wonderfully placed flashbacks, and amazing cinematography with brilliant light trickery and see through walls. this is the kind of story telling that can only be done on film. the ending is a little abrupt and some what of a let down. i suppose it's left slightly open for interpretation, but i have a feeling the way i'd like to imagine happens next isn't what the film makers had in mind. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/03/23 Full Review Audience Member another winning mid career performance from davis Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member An emotionally engrossing and impeccably produced drama that makes beautiful use of flashbacks. Davis hits every scene perfectly, from a young social climber to a lonely middle-aged divorcee, she brings style and emotion to a role that could have been simply depressing. Sullivan is excellent as her "hick-at-heart" husband, and their relationship is refreshingly believable. Betty Lynn shines as Davis' younger, less materialistic daughter. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/22/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Payment on Demand

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Synopsis David (Barry Sullivan) gives his wife, Joyce (Bette Davis), an unexpected -- and unpleasant -- surprise when he suddenly demands a divorce. When she then learns that David has taken up with a younger woman, Joyce decides to make the most of this separation by taking a solo trip to the Caribbean. However, just before diving into a vacation fling, she runs into Emily (Jane Cowl), an old chum whose own divorce has left her embittered. Joyce then debates giving married life one last chance.
Director
Curtis Bernhardt
Producer
Jack H. Skirball, Bruce Manning
Screenwriter
Bruce Manning, Curtis Bernhardt
Distributor
RKO Radio Pictures
Production Co
Gwenaud Productions
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 3, 1951, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 22, 2009
Runtime
1h 30m
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