Directed by Joseph Pevney , the film 's cast included James Cagney , Dorothy Malone , Jane Greer and Jim Backus . Chaney 's grown son was played by Roger Smith , later the star of television 's '' 77 Sunset Strip '' , and studio chief Irving Thalberg was portrayed by Robert Evans , who soon left acting and eventually became head of Paramount Pictures . The film 's four writers were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay at the 30th Academy Awards
30th Academy Awards
30th Academy Awards
Man of a Thousand Faces (film)