"Chicago Syndicate", her first film for Columbia, Hayes played Joyce Kern - alias Sue Morton who seeks vengeance for the death of her father at the hand of local gangster Arnie Valent. "Count Three and Pray" gave her the role that she later described as the best of her career. Hayes played with Van Heflin, co-starring with Raymond Burr and Joanne Woodward in her debut. As an arrogant Southern belle, she was in love with Heflin, returning from the Civil War as a minister. After being spurned by him, Hayes is reduced to becoming Burr's live-in "housekeeper." Hayes had several well-played dramatic scenes. However, when the film was released much of the attention of reviewers was focused on Woodward, and Hayes was largely ignored. She appeared in films such as "Steel Jungle", "Mohawk", and "Gunslinger" (all 1956), but a fall from a horse during the filming of the latter left Hayes with a broken arm and unable to work. After she recovered, she began appearing in supporting roles in television productions.