A 1956 American drama film directed by Nicholas Ray and starring James Mason, Barbara Rush, and Walter Matthau, based on a 1955 article by medical writer Berton Roueché about a schoolteacher who becomes addicted to cortisone, leading to a transformation into a household despot. The movie explores the consequences of drug addiction and mental illness on family relationships, as Ed's life spirals out of control after he begins taking cortisone to manage his rare condition. As Ed's behavior becomes increasingly erratic and abusive, his loved ones are forced to confront the devastating impact of his addiction.