Jacques Tourneur earned the title of "Auteur of Stylish and Atmospheric Genre Films". This is a look at some of my favorite films by the French/American director.
Jacques was born on November 12, 1904, in Paris, France, near the end of the year that his mother, Fernande Petit, married French film director and screenwriter, Maurice Félix Thomas, known as Maurice Tourneur. Between 1913 and 1948, in either France, or the United States, Maurice would direct 98-films, and write 25. The couple would divorce in 1923.
The Tourneur family had moved to the United States in 1914. While in High School, Jacques first appeared as an uncredited extra, in director Rex Ingram's, 1923, production of Rafael Sabatini's, "Scaramouche", and he would appear as an extra in three more feature films. In 1926, Jacques got his first taste of directing, as one of two, uncredited second unit assistant directors, on director George W. Hill's, 1926, "Tell It to the Marines", starring Lon Chaney, Sr.
His father was let go from filming Jules Vernes, "The Mysterious Island", starring Lionel Barrymore. Which would lead to Jacques and his father returning to France. Jacques started working in the French film industry as an editor on 8 feature films. In 1929, Maurice Tourneur directed the German feature film, "Das Schiff der verlorenen Menschen (The Ship of Lost Souls)", his son was the uncredited Assistant Director.
Jacques Tourneur would start an affair with French actress Marguerite Christine Virideau, seen below, that caused a break between father and son. Marguerite was the voice of "Snow White", in the French language version of Walt Disney's, "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs".
Jacques Tourneur's career as a credited director, began in 1931, with the French motion picture, "Tout ça ne vaut pas l'amour (All That Is Not Worth Love)". Three-years-later, Jacques and Marguerite came to the United States. The two would be married on April 22, 1934, and stayed together until his death.
In 1935, Tourneur was one of the "Uncredited, Second Unit Director's", on the "Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer" version, of British author Charles Dickens's, "A Tale of Two Cities", starring Ronald Coleman. It was on that motion picture that Jacques Tourneur met Val Lewton, and the two first worked together. Both having the position of "Arranger: Revolutionary Sequences". Which meant, they were responsible for setting up, directing, and filming all the background, "French Revolution" sequences seen in the motion picture.
Tourneur's first full time directing position was also at "MGM", filming 18 short subjects, which took him into 1939. The shorts were followed by directing the first two mysteries in what became the "Nick Carter" detective series, starring Walter Pidgeon. After which, the studio just dropped him, and he found a one-picture deal with "Republic Pictures", directing the forgotten, 1941, crime drama, "Doctor's Don't Tell".
In 1942, Val Lewton was made the head of "RKO" studio's, "Horror Unit". My article is "VAL LEWTON: MASTER OF SUBTLE TERROR AND HORROR" at:
https://www.bewaretheblog.com/2015/10/val-lewton-master-of-subtle-terror-and.html
CAT PEOPLE premiered in New York City, at the Rialto Theatre, on December 5, 1942
The "RKO Executive's" came up with the title and handed it to Val Lewton to turn it into a horror movie. Lewton gave the title to DeWitt Bodeen, an ex-stage actor, and playwright, looking for work. Initially, Lewton had arranged a position for Bodeen as research assistant for British writer Aldous Huxley. Bodeen wrote a screenplay that was actually a mystery about a beautiful Serbian woman. However, there is a twist to the three way love story that DeWitt Bodeen added to get to the "RKO Executives" required title.
Lewton felt that his fellow, "MGM Arranger", was the perfect director for the style of movies he planned to make, so "Producer Lewton", hired "Director Jacques Tourneur".
Jacques Tourneur would scare the crap out of his audience. He made each audience member believe, that what they thought they saw on-screen, wasn't any different from what the director, had actually placed on-screen.
Beautiful French Actress Simone Simon portrayed "Irena Dubrova Reed". Simon had been appearing in French films since 1931, but in 1936, she had 3rd-billing in her first English language film, "Girl's Dormitory". Which used the tag line, "Introducing a New Personality, Simone Simon".
Kent Smith portrayed "Oliver Reed". Smith was a Broadway actor and this feature was only his second motion picture. His first was 1936's, "The Garden Murder Case", with 8th-billing. After this motion picture he became a solid "B" film actor.
Tom Conway portrayed "Dr. Louis Judd". He had replaced his brother, actor George Sanders, as the fictional detective known as "The Falcon", in the cleverly titled, 1942, "The Falcon's Brother". In 1956, Conway, co-starred in a "Bridey Murphy" variation, "The She Creature", and the actor was part of the cast of both 1959's, "The Atomic Submarine", and 1960's, "12 to the Moon".
Jane Randolph portrayed
"Alice Moore". She had just co-starred with
Richard Carlson, in the comedy crime drama,
1942's, "Highways by Night". The actress should be familiar to my readers, for
portraying
"Joan Raymond", in
1948's, "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein".
Jack Holt portrayed "The Commodore". Holt, who started in motion pictures in 1914, was a familiar face in hard hitting roles, but was overshadowed by younger actors. He had just appeared in the 1942, "Northwest Rangers", and followed this feature by portraying "Army General Martin", in director John Ford's, 1945, "They Were Expendable".
Before filming actually began, Val Lewton and Jacques Tourneur needed one more critical technical addition to what the two wanted to accomplish. The man they wanted, had been born in Montreal, Canada, had studied political science and economics at the "University of California, Los Angles (UCLA)", had started at the "Naval Academy at Annapolis" but wasn't interested in a military career, and became a Film Editor. He had worked under film editor Robert Wise on Orson Welles's, 1940, "Citizen Kane", and in 1942, on Welles's, "The Magnificent Ambersons". So, as filming began on July 28, 1942, Mark Robson sat in front of his editing equipment. After Tourneur left, and a second Lewton director, Wise left, Robson became Lewton's 3rd director.
What makes this film so terrifying, is that Val Lewton and Jacques Tourneur do not use expensive make-ups. Such as was used by Jack Pierce in both 1931's, "Frankenstein", and ten-years-later, in 1941's, "The Wolf Man", to help frighten us. Tourneur plays on the audience's fears through changes in the lighting, the use of music, and no music, setting a disturbing mood in our minds. A technique that would become a Lewton trademark.
The story tells of a man falling in love with a mysteriously beautiful woman with only one quirk. When she becomes sexually aroused, she claims to turn into a cat. In this case, a Black Panther, and kills anyone who stands in her way for the love of her mate.
Throughout the movie, the audience isn't sure that Irena can change into a Black Panther. There is a Black Panther at a local zoo, which Tourneur uses to put the audience into thinking maybe it is the real killer. It is at that zoo, that "Oliver Reed" first meets "Irena Dubronva", and it's the zoo where the story ends.
"Oliver" and "Irena" fall in love, pushing the one woman who truly loves him, 'Alice Moore", away. However, as long as "Alice" is alive, she is an obstacle to "Oliver" truly loving "Irena". My accident, "Irena" meets another woman from her home country, "The Cat Woman", portrayed by Elizabeth Russell, who reminds her of the curse upon any woman who falls in love.
I am not going into more detail on this classic and ruin it for my reader, but here is a teaser
of the famous swimming pool sequence. Which finds "Alice Moore" being taunted by "Irena", or maybe it's just her imagination. Which is a great look at the Lewton-Tourneur
technique.
As of this writing, the following link will take my reader to the complete motion picture of, "The Cat People".
The following two photos are from New York City's, "Rialto" movie theater.
It is agreed that the total costs to make this feature, including paying the cast and crew, and such minor items as food for the cast and crew, transportation, and promotional materials was $135,000. How much the actual United States and Foreign Total Box Office Receipts, or rentals, as they are referred too, is still debatable for the picture's initial release. These figure's run from as little as $535,000 according to "RKO", to the Hollywood trade paper, "Variety's", 1.2 million dollars. While, according to film historian Edmund G. Bansak, in his 1995, "Fearing the Dark: The Val Lewton Career", the film's "Rental's" were closer to 4 million dollars World Wide.
Back in 1932, Bela Lugosi appeared in "White Zombie", the recognized first movie about zombies. Now the team of producer Val Lewton, and director Jacques Tourneur, made his next motion picture:
I WALKED WITH A ZOMBIE premiering in Cleveland, Ohio, on April 8, 1943
In 1847, British authoress Charlotte Bronte published her novel "Jane Eyer". In 1943, the entertainment reporter for the "Cleveland Plain Dealer", Inez Wallace, had published in the magazine, "American Weekly Magazine", a short story she wrote. Wallace had taken the plot of the Bronte novel and reimagined it in a Caribbean setting filled with Voodoo and Zombies, entitled, "I Walk with a Zombie".
Val Lewton turned the article over to Curt Siodmak, 1941's, "The Wolf Man", 1943's, "Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man", 1953's, "The Magnetic Monster", and 1956's, "Earth vs the Flying Saucers", to turn into a screenplay. My article is "CURT and ROBERT SIODMAK: Horror and Film Noir" at:
This screenplay was by Ardel Wray. She would become known for her screenplay work for Val Lewton. My personal favorite is, 1945's, "Isle of the Dead", starring Boris Karloff, and directed by Mark Robson.
After this feature film, Jacques Tourneur would direct one more feature for Val Lewton, and that would be the next motion picture I will mention.
The following is modified from my article, "ZOMBIES and Their Motion Picture Variations 1932 to 1968", not always looking for "Brains" at:
James Ellison portrayed "Wesley Rand". Ellison was actually known as a "B" Western cowboy and as a the sidekick of William Boyd's, "Hopalong Cassidy", in several 1930's movies. The year before this film, he was the lead in 20th Century Fox's low budget Horror movie, "The Undying Monster", that has an interesting were wolf story line.The leading lady was Francis Dee portraying "Betsy Cornnell". Dee had third billing in the Bette Davis and Leslie Howard, 1934 version, of W. Somerset Maugham's, "Of Human Bondage". She had co-starred with Ronald Coleman and Basil Rathbone in 1938's, "If I Were King". Her husband from 1933 until his death in 1990, was actor Joel McCrea.
Tom Conway portrayed "Tom Holland", and was not only "Dr. Louis Judd" in 1942's, "The Cat People", but in its prequel, 1943's, "The Seventh Victim". In the following lobby card are left to right James Ellison, Francis Dee and Tom Conway
Edith Barrett portrayed "Mrs. Rand", the mother of "Paul" and "Wesley". This was her fifth motion picture and in the same month as this picture. She was in the Orson Welles and Jane Fontaine version of Charlotte Bronte's, "Jane Eyre". Barrett appeared in several more small roles and then moved to television.Christine Gordon was "Jessica Holland", the wife of "Paul". This was Gordon's first motion picture, and she would follow this feature with only five more, all without on screen credit.
Above left to right, Christine Gordon, Frances Dee, and Tom Conway
What really makes this movie are three points creating a very creepy mood for the audience. These are the overall directing by Jacques Tourneur, the black and white photography by cinematographer J. Roy Hunt, and the crisp film editing by Mark Robson.
The story opens with a voice over by Canadian, "Nurse Betsy Connell", telling the audience that she once:WALKED WITH A ZOMBIE
"Betsy" has been hired by Sugar plantation owner "Paul Holland" to care for his wife "Jessica". They live within the small white community on the island of Saint Sebastian. "Betsy's" black driver tells the nurse that the statue of "T-Misery (Saint Sebastian pierced by arrows)" is located in the courtyard by the main house, and is in actuality the figure head of a slave ship that landed on the island.At dinner, "Betsy" meets "Wesley Rand", the half-brother of "Paul". "Wesley" is his own brother's paid employee. Which ads to what is causing "Wesley's" resentment of "Paul". Later, at night, as "Betsy" prepares for bed, she hears crying and goes to investigate. "Betsy" now observes a woman in a robe with staring dead eyes walking past her, and the nurse screams, waking up everyone else. This is her charge, "Jessica Holland", who is taken away by "Wesley".The next day, "Dr. Maxwell", portrayed by James Bell, informs "Nurse Connell", that "Jessica Holland's" spinal chord was irreparably damage by an illness that leaves her totally without the willpower to do anything herself. He doesn't explain what this illness is though.On her day off, "Betsy" encounters "Wesley", in town drinking himself into a stupor. Near him is a calypso singer portrayed by singer "Sir Lancelot" (Lancelot Victor Edward Pinard). During the 1950's, Sir Lancelot was calypso singer/actor Harry Belafonte's stated inspiration to sing.
The bar's calypso singer, strangely, sings a song about how "Jessica" and "Wesley" planned to run away together, but "Paul" stopped them.
Later "Betsy" hears "Paul" playing the piano.
"Paul" admits to "Betsy" that he might have been the cause of his wife's illness and apologizes for bringing the nurse to the island. Who now realizes that she is falling in love with him.
"Betsy" suggests an insulin shock treatment to cure "Jessica", but it fails. However, the housemaid
"Alma", portrayed by
Theresa Harris, seen in
1934's, "Drums of Voodoo", suggests that there's a voodoo priestess who has cured another woman with the same illness.
"Betsy" takes "Jessica" into the surrounding sugar cane to find the voodoo priestess. The title's,
walk with a zombie.
"Betsy", discovers that people are given advice through a shack's door by the unseen priestess. Who is guarded by the Zombie,
"Carrefour", portrayed by
Darby Jones.Next, she discovers that the voodoo priestess is actually "Mrs. Rand". Who explains that "Jessica" cannot be cured by her, or anyone else. On their way back to the plantation house, one of the locals
knife's "Jessica's" arm, which does not bleed, and the workers are fully convinced
she is a Zombie.
What happens next, the following link, as of this writing, will take my reader to find out in the excellent "I Walked with a Zombie":
Jacques Tourneur's 3rd movie for Val Lewton, was, as I mentioned, his last for the producer.
THE LEOPARD MAN premiered in New York City on May 19, 1943
At the time of the film's release, it was panned by the critics, and even Jacques Tourneur is quoted panning his own work, by author Charles Higham, in his 1969, "Celluloid Muse: Hollywood Directors Speak", page 219:
- - - - it was too exotic, it was neither fish nor fowl: a series of vignettes, and it didn’t hold together. There were some startling things in that story... But there were too many bad scenes, and even though we used an effective Mexican birthday song, the overall effect was spotty, uneven - - - -
Time has a way of changing things and the movie is now recognized for being one of the first motion pictures to deal with a "Serial Killer" and as an excellent horror feature. The term, "Serial Killer", did not come into use until the mid-1970's and the concept was not really seen in crime, or horror thrillers. The film Jacques Tourneur had panned, is now on several lists of the best horror films. On the "100 Best Horror Movies of All Time", "SLANT Magazine's" website has "The Leopard Man" at #30:
https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/100-greatest-horror-movies-of-all-time/
Chris Fujiwara once said of Jacques Tourneur: “Unlike the classic auteur who imposes his vision on his film, Tourneur effaces his vision, not by the absence of style but by a style that emphasizes absence.” Indeed, who else but Tourneur could tell a story almost entirely in shadows? In Leopard Man, where a resistance to tradition and authority and the desire for privilege provocatively links the deaths of three Mexican women, he was able to deliriously evoke the presence of the film’s killer cat with as little as a darkened alleyway and with no more than a swaying tree branch. And Tourneur’s chiaroscuro is as striking as his use of sound, with the terror roused by a dancer’s ever-clinking castanets suggesting culture turning against itself.
Chris Fujiwara is the author of "Jacques Tourneur: The Cinema of Nightfall",
The screenplay was based upon mystery writer Cornell Woolrich's, 1942 novel, "Black Alibi", and was written by Ardel Wray.
Director Jacques Tourneur would follow the feature with a documentary short subject, 1944's, "Reward Unlimited". Its purpose was to get young women to become "Cadet Nurses" during the war. The star, in only her second appearance on-screen, was actress Dorothy McGuire.
Dennis O'Keefe portrayed nightclub owner, "Jerry Manning". You could look at O'Keefe, depending upon the reviewer, as either a "B plus", or "A minus" actor. Among his films was co-starring with John Wayne and Susan Hayward in 1944's, "The Fighting Seabees", and the same year's Cecil B. DeMille's, "The Story of Dr. Wassell", starring Gary Cooper, but also the "B" comedy, "Up in Mabel's Room", co-starring with Marjorie Reynolds.
Margo (Maria Margarita Guadalupe Teresa Estella Bolado Castilla y O'Donnell) portrayed "Gabriella aka: Clo-Clo". The Mexico City born niece of band leader Xavier Cugat, was a dancer starting with her uncle's band at 9-years-old. He first motion picture was co-starring with Claude Rains in 1934's, "Crime Without Passion". She had just starred in 1939's, "Miracle on Main Street", and followed this film by co-starring with Tom Neal, and J. Carrol Naish, in the Second World War propaganda film, "Behind the Rising Sun".
The above scene of Margo is from a colorized version. Which tends to destroy the tone of the original film. Which is shot within dark shadows to create the desired suspense for the audience member by cinematographer Robert De Grasse and film editor, Mark Robson, under Jacques Tourneur's direction.
Jean Brooks, born Ruby Matilda Kelly, in Houston, Texas, portrayed "Kiki Walker". Like Margo, Jean was a singer and actress. She only made 30-films, and 17 were as Jeanne Kelly, and 3 as Robina Duarte. Her uncredited role's, included both 1940's, "The Invisible Man Returns" and "Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe" for "Universal Pictures", plus 5 of Tom Conway's "Falcon" series, and more importantly, co-starring with Conway, and unknown Kim Hunter, in producer Val Lewton's, 1943, "The Seventh Victim", directed by Mark Robson.
Compare this shot of Jean Brooks to the colorized one of Margo to understand why the motion picture needs to only be seen in black and white.
Isabel Jewell portrayed "Maria - the Fortune Teller". Jewell first appeared on-screen in 1931, and became typecast as a "Tough Talking Broad". Her film roles included the movie gangster John Dillinger saw before being killed by the FBI, 1934's, "Manhattan Melodrama", starring Clark Gable, William Powell, and Myrna Loy, the Peter Lorre horror classic, 1935's, "Mad Love", but her scenes were all deleted, 1935's, "A Tale of Two Cities", director Frank Capra's 1937 version of James Hilton's "Lost Horizon", and 1939's, "Gone with the Wind".
Above, Jean Brooks and on the right, Isabel Jewell
James Bell portrayed "Dr. Galbraith". Bell had been a Broadway stage actor since 1920, and in 1932, made his film debut. His feature films had included the Irving Berlin musical, 1942's, "Holiday Inn", starring Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, and Marjorie Reynolds. Just before this film, Bell was "Dr. Maxwell", in 1943's, "I Walked with a Zombie", and he followed this feature with 1943's, "My Friend Flicka", starring Roddy McDowall and Preston Foster.
Abner Biberman portrayed Native American "Charlie How-Come". Biberman's look got him typecasted as a "Heavy" in 1940's films. He would become a prolific director of television series in the 1950's and 1960's. His films included portraying "Chota", in 1939's, "Gunga Din", and way too many Japanese soldiers and spies, during the Second World War, and even, enemy Russian agents.
"The Leopard Man" opens in an unnamed New Mexico border town, where nightclub promoter "Jerry Manning" hires a black leopard, from "Charlie How-Come", for his girlfriend "Kiki Walker" to use in her act, as part of a publicity stunt.
Instead, "Kiki" uses the leopard to upstage her singing rival at "Jerry's" club, "Clo-Clo". By making an entrance with the "Black Leopard" on a lash like a dog. The quick thinking "Clo-Clo" using her castanets to frighten the leopard, but instead of being frightened, it escapes into the night. Next, "Charlie" starts pestering "Jerry" for the cost to replace the animal.
Later the same night, a local woman named "Theresa Delgado", portrayed by Margaret Landry, has gone out to purchase cornmeal and encounters the leopard under a bridge in an arroyo.
In fright, she flees to her house, but before she can be let in, she is killed, and the medical examiner determines her death was an accident, having been mauled by the cat. Next, another local, "Consuelo", portrayed by Tuuikki Paananen, is mauled to death in a cemetery she went to visit her father's grave. After inadvertently locked in by the cemetery keeper.
After the second attack, "Jerry" goes to the police to question why the leopard has remained in the city, as he was told it should have fled into the countryside. "Charlie" also questions if the leopard killed "Consuelo", and is goaded by the local museum keeper and historian, "Dr. Galbraith". "Galbraith" mentions that "Charlie" has his alcohol binges. That everyone knows he blacks out from, and asks, might he have committed both murders without knowing?
At his request, "Charlie" spends the night in a jail cell. While, "Clo-Clo" spends the same night with a wealthy elderly man, who in the morning gives her a $100-bill. Next, she goes to the fortune teller, "Maria", who warns her that "something black" is coming. Going to her home, "Clo-Clo" loses the $100 bill, goes looking for it, and is attacked and murdered.
"Kiki" and "Jerry" are preparing to leave town for Chicago, and on the same day is the annual parade commemorating the massacre of local Native American's by the Spanish Conquistador's.
"Dr. Galbraith" gives "Kiki" a going away present of a bouquet of flowers. "Kiki" wishes to place them on "Consuelo's" grave. With "Jerry", they go to the cemetery and meet "Charlie". Who now informs the two that the leopard was found dead in the arroyo and someone had taken its fur. "Charlie" believes the leopard has been dead for at least one week, questioning how it could have killed the three women?
So, who is the murderer, if not the Leopard? To find out, and decide how you consider this motion picture. As of this writing, the following link will take them to "The Leopard Man":
For the United States, the Second World War had officially started on December 7, 1941, with the Imperial Japanese Navy's attack on Pearl Harbor Hawaii. However, War can make strange bedfellows, and prior to that event. The FBI was after spies from the Soviet Union operating in the United States, and keeping tabs on American's who were joining the Communist Party USA (CPUSA). After that attack, we fought side by side with the military of the Soviet Union against Adolph Hitler and the Nazi's in Europe.
The first motion picture Jacques Tourneur made after "The Leopard Man", was a piece of war time propaganda. That supported our valiant Russian allies against the Axis Powers.
DAYS OF GLORY premiered in Pennsylvania, on June 8, 1944
The original story was by Hungarian Jewish refugee writer Melchior Lengyel. Who with Jewish director Ernst Lubitsch, made the anti-Russian comedy, 1939's, "Ninotchka", starring Greta Garbo, and the satirical attack on Hitler and the Nazi's, 1942's, "To Be, or Not To Be", starring Carole Lombard and Jack Benny.
Casey Robinson turned Lengyel's story into a screenplay and produced this motion picture. Among his work had been winning the "Oscar" for his screenplay for 1935's, "Captain Blood", the uncredited, rewriting of the entire screenplay for 1942's, "Casablanca", and for Bette Davis, 1939's, "Dark Victory", 1940's, "All This and Heaven Too", and 1942's, "Now Voyager", among other screenplays for the actress.
Jacques Tourneur followed "Days of Glory" with the crime film-noir, 1944's, "Experiment Perilous", starring Hedy Lamar, George Brent, and Paul Lukas.
The following are the actor's mentioned on the above poster. They make-up "Vladimir's" guerrilla group of Russian Patriots willing to die to stop the Nazi invaders of "Mother Russia".
Tamara Toumanova portrayed "Nina". Toumanova was the child of exiles from the 1917 Russian Revolution living in Paris, France. She was a Russian Prima Ballerina and actress. This was her first motion picture. After the completion of "Days of Glory", she married Casey Robinson, but they would divorce on October 13, 1955,
Gregory Peck portrayed "Vladimir". This was Gregory Peck's First On-Screen Appearance, 2-years-later, he co-starred with Jennifer Jones in the Western, nick-named, "Lust in the Dust", 1946's, "Duel in the Sun". Which is part of my article, "Gregory Peck: Five-Westerns, Five-Different Characters", riding the "Hollywood" range at:
Above, Gregory Peck and Tamara Toumanova
Alan Reed portrayed "Sasha". Reed's career is very interesting, on radio he was "Daddy", to comedian Fanny Brice's "Baby Snooks", and he originated the radio character version of the Sunday newspaper's comic strip boxer, "Joe Palooka". He started appearing on television shows in various roles in 1949. Perhaps he's best known, but not recognized, as the original voice of "Fred Flintsone", on the Hanna-Barbera cartoon show version of "The Honeymooners", for 166-episodes. During this time he became a major animated voice actor. From 1977 into 1980, Alan Reed, voiced many of the characters on the animated "Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels".
Above, Gregory Peck and Alan Reed
Maria Palmer portrayed "Yelena". Vienna, Austrian-Hungary Empire, born Maria Picher, became an actress, dancer, and singer in Austria. , With her parents, in 1938, the year before the Nazi's invaded Austria, they came to the United States. Just before this feature, Maria appeared in the political drama, 1943's, "Mission to Moscow", starring Walter Huston.
Lowell Gilmore portrayed "Semyon". This was Broadway actor Gilmore's first motion picture. He had been seen on a 1939, television production of Noel Coward's, "Hay Fever", starring Montgomery Clift. He followed "Days of Glory" by appearing in the 1945 motion picture version of Oscar Wilde's, "The Picture of Dorian Gray".
At the time of "Days of Glory's" release, the picture never stood out and seemed just another Second World War movie that the American film industry was turning out to keep the Homefront morale up and help support our ally, the Soviet Union.
The story tells of a group of patriotic Russian fighters who attack Nazi troops moving along a highway toward either Leningrad, or Stalingrad. Thid group then disappear into the forests that the highway runs through. "Yelena", a girl from the factories, is in love with their leader, "Vladmir". "Vladmir" has been at headquarters, and returns to find that "Nina" has been given refuge by the group. When he questions her about what she can contribute to their fight against the Nazi's. Her answer is that once she was a ballerina in a Moscow theatre. "Yelena" wants "Nina" thrown out of the group for two reasons. One she can only be a detriment to fighting the Nazi's, and two, she sees the beautiful "Nina" as competition for "Vladmir's" love. Which will develop as a subplot. However, "Vladmir" has a major mission, that was given to him at headquarters. Out of the hearing of the other's, "Vladmir" informs his second in command, "Semyon", that he expects they will all be killed at the mission's end.
He will be right, and all of the group, including a fighting "Nina", will die, but the mission will be heroically won and the American audience will cheer for our Russian allies, "Hollywood" style.
As of this writing, the following link will take my reader to Gregory Peck's first motion picture, directed by Jacques Tourneur, at:
Above left to right, Tamara Toumanova, Gregory Peck, and Lowell Gilmore, about die for Russia at the film's climax.
The motion picture bombed at the box office, loosing $593,000, out of a final budget of $958,000. The picture was also panned by the film critics. The only thing it has going for it today, is that "Days of Glory", was Gregory Peck's first motion picture.
"Days of Glory" would join the previously mentioned, 1943, "Mission to Moscow", a movie that was part of the so-called "Red-Trilogy", with 1943's, "The North Star", starring Dana Andrews and Anne Baxter, and 1944's, "Song of Russia", starring Robert Taylor.
The "Red-Trilogy" and other films in the same vein as "Days of Glory" were used against the United States film industry by the "House Committee on Un-American Activities". To help prove, in the Committee member's minds, that the American motion picture industry was controlled by Communists.
My article is "MCCARTHYISM: LIGHTS, CAMERA, COMMUNISTS IN THE MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY" at:
- - - - a style of filmmaking often found in American crime dramas after World War II. It is characterized by cynical heroes, intricate plots, frequent flashbacks, stark lighting, and an underlying existentialist philosophy.
The dark, shadowy style of film noir can be traced to German Expressionist cinema. French critics coined the term film noir because of the low-key lighting that enhanced these dramas. Classic film noir images include rain-soaked streets, shimmering street lamps, flashing neon signs, and cigarette smoke.
On October 23, 1946, production started on a film noir directed by Jacques Tourneur. The motion picture would become both critically acclaimed and reach beyond just cult status.
OUT OF THE PAST premiered in New York City on November 25, 1947
The following is modified from my article "Kirk Douglas: Twelve 1947 - 1964" found at:
https://www.bewaretheblog.com/2025/09/kirk-douglas-twelve-1947-1964.html
This film-noir had a lot going for it, starting with the mystery crime novel, "Build My Gallows High", the film's United Kingdom title, written by Daniel Mainwaring, using the pen name of Geoffrey Homes. Mainwaring as Homes, wrote the screenplay. His other screenplays included both director Don Siegel's, 1949, "The Big Steal", and Siegel's cult science fiction classic, 1956's, "The Invasion of the Body Snatchers".
Director Jacques Tourneur would follow this feature film with the 1948, spy film-noir, "Berlin Express", starring Merle Oberon, Robert Ryan, Charles Korvin, and Paul Lukas.
Robert Mitchum portrayed "Jeff Bailey, previously known as Jeff Markham". Mitchum had just co-starred with Greer Garson in 1947's, "Desire Me". He followed this motion picture, co-starring with Loretta Young and William Holden, in 1948's, "Rachel and the Stranger". Which is part of my article "Robert Mitchum: The 'Anti-Hero Tough Guy' As a Motion Picture Singer", my reader can discover Mitchum's singing career at:
Jane Greer portrayed "Kathie Moffat". Greer had just co-starred with Robert Young and Susan Hayward, in the 1947, film-noir, "They Won't Believe Me", and followed this feature with the "A-List" Western, 1948's, "Station West", co-starring with Dick Powell and Agnes Morehead.
Kirk Douglas portrayed "Whit Sterling". Douglas had the 6th-co-star-billing, in the 1947 motion picture version of American playwright, Eugene O'Neil's, "Mourning Becomes Electra". He followed this feature with 4th-billing, in the Burt Lancaster and Lizabeth Scott's, crime film-noir, "I Walk Alone".
Rhonda Fleming portrayed "Meta Carson". This was Fleming's 9th-movie, her first three roles were uncredited, and her 4th had her scenes deleted. Fleming followed this feature by moving to 2nd-billing, after Bing Crosby, in the 1949, musical version of American writer Mark Twin's, "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court".
The Basic Screenplay:
"Joe Stefanos", portrayed by Paul Valentine, arrives in Bridgeport, California, a rural mountain town, seeking "Jeff Bailey", who owns a local gas station.
At the gas station, "Joe" meets "The Kid", portrayed by child star, Dickie Moore. The kid is "Jeff's" friend and employee, a deaf mute, that "Joe" asks for "Jeff's" whereabouts.
As the above unfolds, "Jeff" is with "Ann Miller", portrayed by Virginia Huston, fishing.
However, "Ann's" lifelong friend "Jim", portrayed by Richard Webb, is very jealous as he watches the two..
At the fishing spot, "The Kid" shows up, and signs to "Jeff" that someone is looking for him. At the gas station, "Joe" informs "Jeff", that he must go to Lake Tahoe and meet "Whit". Adding, that it's been a long time since the two have met. "Jeff" invites "Ann" to go with him to "Whit's" place, and the two start the drive.
A Flashback from 3-years-ago, now begins, as "Jeff" tells "Ann", who he really is:
"Jeff Bailey's" real name is "Jeff Markham", and with his partner,
"Jack Fisher", portrayed by
Steve Brodie, they started a private investigation agency in New York City.
"Whit Sterling", a gambling kingpin, hired "Jeff Markham", solo, to find his girlfriend, "Kathie Moffat". Who shot "Whit" and stoled from him, $40,000 (as of this writing equal to $579,458). "Whit" promises "Jeff" that "Kathie" will not be hurt, if he finds and returns her to him.
"Jeff" locates "Kathie" in Acapulco, and she admits to shooting "Whit", but denies taking any money. It doesn't take "Jeff" much time to become captivated by her beauty, and he falls in love with her.
"Jeff" finds himself a house in Acapulco, and "Kathie" becomes a regular visitor. Just when "Jeff" decides the two should run away from "Whit", suddenly, there is "Whit" and "Joe Stefanos", at his house.
"Jeff" lies to "Whit", telling him "Kathie" boarded a south bound steamer, and is told to keep following her. Next, "Jeff" and "Kathie" secretly run away to San Francisco, and avoid going out in public. However, as time passes, they go out, but are spotted by "Jack Fisher" at the race track.
"Jack" has been working for "Whit" tracking the two down. "Jeff" tells "Kathie" that the two will split up to confuse "Jack", and she's to go to a certain mountain cabin and wait for him. While "Jeff" will allow "Jack" to follow him, but instead, "Jack" follows "Kathie". After "Jeff" arrives, "Jack" catches both at the cabin, and attempts to blackmail them over the missing $40,000. The two men brawl, and very deliberately, "Kathie" shoots and kills "Jack Fisher". "Kathie", next drives away from the cabin, leaving behind a stranded "Jeff Markham", and a bank book showing the $40,000 she had actually taken from "Whit", and lied about to "Jeff".
The Flashback Ends as "Ann" drops "Jeff" off " at "Whit's" estate:
"Jeff" wants to clean things up and return to "Ann". At the estate, a cheerful, out of character "Whit", tells "Jeff" he has a job for him. He adds that "Kathie" has returned to him, and she enters as the two men are having breakfast.
Later, "Kathie"goes to "Jeff", claiming she had no choice but to return to "Whit". She's told "Whit" about their relationship, but not about killing "Jack". "Jeff's" response is for her to get out of his room.
The job "Whit" has for "Jeff'", involves a crooked San Francisco lawyer, "Leonard Eels", portrayed by Ken Niles. Who is blackmailing "Whit" with both the real and forged tax documents, that helped "Whit" dodge $1,000,000 (as of this writing equal to $14,486,457) in taxes.
"Whit" wants "Jeff" to recover the incriminating documents. "Whit" tells "Jeff" to meet with "Eels's" secretary, "Meta Carson". "Meta" explains "Whit's" plan, and "Jeff" believes he is being framed. That night "Meta" and "Jeff" meet with "Eels", and "Jeff" warns him, indirectly, in their conversation.
"Jeff" and "Meta" leave "Eels" apartment and later when "Jeff" returns. He finds "Eels" body, and thinking fast, "Jeff" moves the body to an empty apartment next to the one rented by "Eels", and places it in a closet.
Next, "Jeff" sneaks into "Meta's" apartment and overhears "Kathie" arranging for the discovery of "Eels" body. When "Eels" body is not in his apartment, "Kathie" believes he escaped and is alive. "Jeff" now appears and "Kathie" admits she gave "Whit" a signed affidavit swearing that "Jeff" murdered "Jack". "Kathie", who is seemingly playing both sides, now suggests that she and "Jeff" can start all over again, they kiss, and he leaves "Eels" apartment, but has the tax paperwork. "Joe Stefanos", next arrives, and confirms to "Kathie" that he killed "Eels" in his apartment and doesn't understand why the body isn't there.
"Jeff" consigns the tax paperwork to a delivery service, but afterwards is picked up by "Whit's" thugs.
"Jeff" is now wanted by the police for the two murders, "Jack Fisher", and "Leonard Eels", and they think he is heading back to Bridgeport. "Kathie" informs "Joe" of a gorge that she suspects "Jeff" is hiding in. "The Kid" spots "Stefanos" on the edge of the gorge, he is starting to aim a rifle with a scope at "Jeff". Taking his fishing rod, "The Kid" hooks "Joe Stefanos", which causes him to loose his balance, and he falls over the gorge's rim to his death.
"Jeff" returns to "Whit's" estate to tell him "Joe" is dead and that "Kathie" has double-crossed him. "Jeff" suggests he tells the police that "Joe" was deeply disturbed over murdering "Leonard Eels" and committed suicide. Adding, that he will give "Whit" the tax documents in return for "Whit" destroying the affidavit. Along with turning "Kathie" over to the police for the cold-blooded murder of "Jack Fisher". "Whit" agrees, promising he will kill her, if she disagrees.
The flashback is over:
"Jeff" now meets "Ann" in the woods. "Ann" believes in him, but wants to know if he knows really what he wants, and promises she will wait, if he goes to prison. Then comes word that "Kathie" has murdered "Whit". "Jeff" confronts "Kathie" and is given an ultimatum, run-a-way with her, or take the blame for all three murders. He seems to go with running away, and she goes upstairs to pack. While "Kathie" is packing, "Jeff" is on the phone. The two leave in a car with "Jeff" driving. Seeing a police road block up ahead, "Kathie" shoots "Jeff Markham aka: Bailey". Then she fires her pistol at the police and is answered with machine gun bullets riddling the car and killing her.
In Bridgeport, "Ann" asks "The Kid", if "Jeff" is going away with "Kathie"? "The Kid" nods his head yes, lying, and "Ann" gets into the car with "Jim" and they drive away. "The Kid" smiles and salute's "Jeff Bailey's" name on the gas station sign.
The "New York Times", film critic, Bosley Crowther, wrote for the November 26, 1947 edition:
...it's very snappy and quite intriguingly played by a cast that has been well and smartly directed by Jacques Tourneur. Robert Mitchum is magnificently cheeky and self-assured as the tangled 'private eye,' consuming an astronomical number of cigarettes in displaying his nonchalance. And Jane Greer is very sleek as his Delilah, Kirk Douglas is crisp as a big crook and Richard Webb, Virginia Huston, Rhonda Fleming and Dickie Moore are picturesque in other roles. If only we had some way of knowing what's going on in the last half of this film, we might get more pleasure from it. As it is, the challenge is worth a try.
As of this writing, the following link will take my reader to this cult film noir:
Mention movies about the legendary English outlaw, "Robin Hood", and the "Warner Brothers", 1938, "The Adventures of Robin Hood", starring Errol Flynn, should come up. Move forward 11-years and "Warner Brothers" made would seemed like an Italian "Robin Hood", directed by Jacques Tourneur.
THE FLAME AND THE ARROW premiered in New York City on July 7, 1950
The publicity department's tag line on the above poster, sounds like just a touch overdone, but perhaps not. Major "New York Times" film critic Bosley Crowther, on July 8, 1950, had this to say:
[N]ot since—well, we can't remember—have the movies had such an all-out spread of luxuriously romantic hokum as they have in this Tehcnicolored film. ... [T]he screen play, prepared by Waldo Salt, is a rich and alive accumulation of swashy adventure episodes, and Jacques Tourneur has staged it with his hand on the throttle and his tongue in his cheek. ... Taken simply as a story, it falls all over itself. The important thing is the rush of incident that flows through the picture unchecked and the gay, uninhibited spirit of roughhouse in which it is played.
Waldo Salt co-wrote the previously mentioned, Robert Mitchum, 1948, "Rachel and the Stranger". After co-writing the 1951, American remake of German director Fritz Lang's, 1931, "M". Salt was called before the "House Committee on Un-American Activities", and "Blacklisted" by the American motion picture industry. Like many others, he left the United States and went to work in England, using names such as "Mel Davenport", and "Arthur Berhrstock". Salt would return to the United States to co-write, 1962's, "Taras Bulba", starring Yul Brynner and Tony Curtis, and go on to win two screenplay writing "Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences", "Oscars", for 1969's, "Midnight Cowboy", and 1978's, "Coming Home". He had also been nominated for an "Oscar" for 1973's "Serpico".
Waldo Salt's, 1950 "Robin Hood" vs the 1938 "Robin Hood":
In "Robin Hood", you have "Sir Robin of Locksley". In "Flame and the Arrow", you have "The Italian Archer, Dardo Bartoli".
In "Robin Hood", you have "Prince John". In "Flame and the Arrow", you have "Count Ulrich".
In "Robin Hood", you have "Sir Guy of Gisbourne". In "Flame and the Arrow", you have the "Marchese Alesandro de Granazia".
In "Robin Hood", you have "Maid Marian". In "Flame and the Arrow", you have "Anne de Hesse".
Director Jacques Tourneur had started filming "The Flame and the Arrow", in October 1949, at "B" Cowboy, Ray "Crash" Corrigan's, Simi Valley movie ranch, "Corriganville". Tourneur's previous motion picture was the Joel McCrea western, 1950's, "Stars in My Crown", and he followed this film with the Ray Milland, post Second World War mystery thriller, 1951's, "Circle of Danger".
The Two Leads Plus Three:
Burt Lancaster portrayed "Dardo Bartoli, The Arrow". Lancaster had just co-starred with Paul Henreid, Claude Rains, and Peter Lorre, in the 1949 film-noir, "Rope of Sand". He followed this film with the comedy crime romance, 1950's, "Mister 880", co-starring with Dorthy McGuire and Edmund Gwenn. My article is "Burt Lancaster: Circus Acrobat Turned Actor", found at:
https://www.bewaretheblog.com/2016/04/burt-lancaster-circus-acrobat-turned.html
Above, the very acrobatic Burt Lancaster with Gordon Gebert portraying "Rudi Bartoli, Dardo's son".
Virginia Mayo portrayed "Anne de Hesse, The Flame". Mayo had just co-starred with Gordon MacRae in the film-noir romance, 1950's, "Backfire", and followed this feature, co-starring with James Cagney, Doris Day, and Gene Nelson, in the musical, 1950's, "The West Point Story".
Nick Cravat portrayed "Piccolo". Cravat's story parallels Lancaster and is found in my above linked article. Both boys ran away together to join the circus and became an acrobatic team. After this film, Nick Cravat appeared with Burt Lancaster in 1951', "Ten Tall Men", and really showing off both's acrobatic talents in 1952's, "The Crimson Pirate". In that feature film, Lancaster's "Captain Vallo" has been considered to be the model for and "Grandfather" of Johnny Depp's, "Captain Jack Sparrow". Cravat and Lancaster also appeared together in 1958's, "Run Silent, Run Deep", and 1968's, "The Scalphunters".
Frank Allenby portrayed "Count Ulrich, "The Hawk". Between 1937, and 1952, the actor appeared in only 11-films. Basically, that's all I could find out about him.
Robert Douglas portrayed the "Marchese Alessandro de Granazia". Douglas's three 1952 film's were, "At Swords Point", "Ivanhoe", and "The Prisoner of Zenda". In 1955, he portrayed "Benedict Arnold", in "The Scarlet Coat", and the following year was "Agamemnon", in the motion picture by the editor for Orson Welles', "Citizen Kane", and director of Val Lewton's, 1944, "Curse of the Cat People", Robert Wise's, "Helen of Troy".
Above, Robert Douglas with Virginia Mayo
The Basic Robin Hood, oops, Flame and the Arrow Screenplay:
The story is said to be set during the reign of Frederick Barbarossa, in Lombardy. So, historically, this was not before April 24, 1155, when he was crowned "King of Italy". However, it could have been in 1298, when Frederick the First, was first called "Barbarossa", meaning "Red Beard". Another possibility, some reviews just say the story was during the 12th Century. Which places it some time between 1101 and 1200, but again, he would only be Fredrick the First. I leave the actual year of this story to others, if they really care.
"Dardo Bartoli" hears that the evil "Count Ulrich, the Hawk", is coming to town during a hunting trip. "Dardo" wants his son, "Rudi". to see the Count's mistress, his mother, "Francesca", portrayed by Lynne Baggett, left below, also present, is "The Hawk's" niece, "Anne de Hess", on the right below.
"Francesca" wants her son with her, but her still husband, "Dardo", wants his son to be as free as he is. "Ulrich" has with him a very expensive hunting hawk, the reason he is known by that nickname. The Count toys with "Dardo" over hearing that he is known as "The Arrow".
The opportunity to prove his name comes, when the count's hawk is set free to go after another. "Dardo" takes aim, shoots an arrow, hitting the hawk, killing it in mid-flight.
In retaliation, "Ulrich" takes "Dardo's" son hostage and orders his men to take "Rudi" to his castle. This pleases "Francesca", who wants the boy to become a court dandy. "Dardo" grabs his son and the two start to run from "Francesca", and the Count's men. However, "Dardo" is struck by an arrow, "Rudi" thinking quickly, lets himself be captured by "The Hawk's" men as his father escapes.
In "The Hawk's" castle is the "Marchese Alesandro de Granazia". Who "Urich" plans to have married to "Anne" as a political move to increase his own power base. However, perhaps a stupid move, he still wants "de Granazia" to pay him taxes, which causes the "Marchese" to flatly refuse him. This leads to "Count Urich" ordering the future husband to his niece, arrested, and his property and land confiscated.
Later, "Dardo" and "Piccolo" get into the jails and rescue the innocent men that "Count Urich" has had arrested to obtain their land.
In a twist to the "Robin Hood" tales, "Dardo" also rescues the "Marchese Alesandro de Granazia", who now joins "Dardo's" band of merry men. Acting on information from his uncle, "Papa Pietro", portrayed by Francis Pierlot, "Dardo" gets the help of one of "Anne's" maid's, also one of "Dardo's" many lovers. Who helps him and "Piccolo" sneak into "Count Urich's" castle to rescue "Rudi", but the attempt fails. "Piccolo" next suggests they wait for "Anne" to return to her apartment, that the two are in, and kidnap her and ask for a prisoner exchange.
The two men kidnap "Anne" and bring her to their secret hideout in the forest. Where she meets the outlaws created by her uncle, and finds herself chained to a tree by "Dardo's" orders.
What comes next is bickering between "Anne" and "Dardo", obviously leading to the two falling in love. "Dardo" sends a message to "Count Urich" offering an exchange of prisoners, but "The Hawk" answers by saying he will execute "Papa Pietro" unless "Anne" is set free. "Dardo" and some of his followers go to the village and rescue "Papa". Next, they learn from "Aunt Nonna Bartoli", portrayed by Aline MacMahon, seen below, that the Count has taken five more prisoners to hang in "Papa's" place.
Because of that move, "Dardo" surrenders to save the others, who are released and "Anne" returns to her uncle. "The Hawk" next has "The Arrow" hung as "Rudi" looks on.
After the hanging, "Count Ulrich" takes all the "Merry Men" prisoners, including the Marchese. Switch time again, the Marchese now informs "Count Ulrich" that the rebel outlaws plan to attack tomorrow. When asked how, the answer is that "Dardo" is still alive and the hanging was faked and the executioner was replaced by the rebel's with a friend, "Skinner", portrayed by Robin Hughes.
As a reward for the information, the Count rewards the Marchese with a marriage to "Anne". "Anne" in turn, warns "Nonna", who doesn't have to warn "Dardo", because he and his men were hiding around the corner and heard everything. They will attack now and "Piccolo" comes up with a plan.
Entering "The Hawk's" castle to entertain at the wedding are a group of acrobats. This sequence was designed to show off Lancaster and Cravat's acrobatic skills. Two years later, these skills from the opening credits to the closing credits of 1952's, "The Crimson Pirate", truly demonstrated a forgotten skill of Burt Lancaster.
Above, Lancaster and Cravat
This all leads to a double show down with the two villains of the story after the disguises come off and the fight scene begins with "Urich's" men. As the nicely choreographed fight scene between the castle troops and the villagers is proceeding. "Anne" tells "Dardo" that "Count Unrich" has taken "Rudi", and our hero goes after his son, finding both the "Count" and the "Marchese". "The Hawk" takes flight and leaves "Dardo" and the "Marchese" to fight. "Alessandro de Granazia" makes the mistake of not accepting "Dardo's" request that he step aside, and trusts in his own swordsmanship. However, "Dardo" plunges the room into darkness, taking advantage of his night hunting skills from the forest, and kills the "Marchese".
"Dardo" searching the castle, finds "Francesca" dead with a knife in her back, after she tried to protect her son. Looking from the castle ramparts, he observes "Count Urich, the Hawk", standing below with a knife at "Rudi's" throat, using the boy as a human shield. Finding a bow, once again "Dardo" proves why he is called "Dardo, the Arrow". The arrow flies from the bow killing the "Count" and saving "Dardo's" son. The film ends with the battle won, and a new family, "Anne", "Dardo", and "Rudi" being created.
As of this writing, the following link will take my reader to the Italian Robin Hood, "The Flame and the Arrow" at:
Seven full years would pass until Jacques Tourneur made the next motion picture I want to go into detail with. During those seven years, among the films he directed, included actress Jean Peters, actor Louis Jourdan, and actress Debra Paget, in the swashbuckling, 1951, "Anne of the Indies", a "Western" set in 1875 Argentina, 1952's, "Way of a Gaucho", starring Rory Calhoun, Gene Tierney, and Richard Boone, and on January 10, 1956, directed his first television program on the anthology series, "Jane Wyman Presents the Fireside Theatre", "The Liberator", that had starred Sebastian Cabot and Dane Clarke.
Now returning to his days with Val Lewton and their style of film making, was:
NIGHT OF THE DEMON the premiered in Birmingham, England on November 9, 1957
On March 30, 1958, the feature arrived in the United States as:
CURSE OF THE DEMON
What you have always watched, IS NOT what Jacques Tourneur filmed!
This section of my article will give you the why!
In 1911, English writer M. R. James (Montague Rhodes James), published his short story, "Casting the Runes", as part of his, "More Ghost Stories of Antiquary".
There were three writers involved in turning "Casting the Runes" into a screenplay.
The first was Charles Bennett, Alfred Hitchcock's, 1929, "Blackmail", 1934's, "The Man Who Knew Too Much", 1935's, "The 39 Steps", both 1936's, Secret Agent" and "Sabotage", 1940's, "Foreign Correspondent". Bennett also wrote, Cecil B. DeMille's, 1942, "Reap the Wild Wind", and 1947's, "Unconquered". Then there was, 1949's, "Black Magic", starring Orson Welles.
Charles Bennett had acquired the rights to "Casting the Runes" and wrote a screenplay entitled "The Haunted".
The second writer was American stage actor turned screenplay writer and producer, Hal E. Chester (Harold Ribotsky). Chester was one of "Universal Pictures", "Little Tough Guys". An off-shoot of "The Dead End Kids", a group he was part of, in the Broadway play "Dead End". Later, Chester produced and wrote for "Monogram Pictures", the eleven motion picture entries based upon the Sunday morning boxing comic strip "Joe Palooka", 1946 - 1951. Hal Chester was also the main producer for stop-motion animator Ray Harryhausen's, 1953, "The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms", and was one of the two producers on "Night of the Demon".
The third was "Blacklisted", uncredited, American writer, Cy Endfield. Hired by "Producer" Hal E. Chester to rewrite what he considered as Charles Bennett's "TAME" screenplay. Among Endfield's work as writer and director are both the excellent historical dramas, 1964's, "Zulu", and 1979, "Zulu Dawn".
The other producer was Frank Bevis, however, his contribution was as a production manager. Managing the finances, and being sure that the film crews and actors were on site when required, and other logistic matters. In short, the active producer was Hal E. Chester, and that was the problem.
Enter, Jacques Tourneur, who would get into battles over the motion picture's screenplay and filming the picture with Chester. Tourneur was supported by star Dana Andrews, and both were working more with Charles Bennett's "Tame" screenplay, than how Chester envisioned a horror movie.
The Three Stars:
Quoting my article, about Richard O'Brien's song, "Science Fiction Double Feature: How Many Movie References are In It?" at:
DANA ANDREWS SAID PRUNES
GAVE HIM THE RUNES
AND PASSING THEM USED LOTS OF SKILLS
Dana Andrews portrayed "Dr. John Holden". Andrews was last seen in the drama, 1956's, "Spring Reunion", and followed this feature with the air plane disaster movie, 1957's, "Zero Hour".
Peggy Cummins portrayed "Joanna Harrington". Welsh born, Irish actress Cummins, had just been seen co-starring with Stanley Baker, and Herbert Lom, in the film-noir, crime thriller, 1957's, "Hell Drivers", and followed this motion picture with the comedy, 1959's, "The Captain Table". Back in 1950, she had her most memorable role in "Gun Crazy", as trigger happy bank robber "Annie Laurie Starr".
Niall MacGinnis portrayed "Doctor Julian Karswell". It has been said that the Irish character actor was not known outside of Europe, perhaps, but his 90-roles were an interesting variety of characters.These included "Macmorris-captain in the eighth army" in Sir Laurence Olivier's, 1944, "Henry V", "Levin" in Vivian Leigh's, 1948, "Anna Karenina", the "Green Knight" in the Robert Taylor, and Ava Garner, 1953, "Knights of the Round Table", "Menelaus", in director Robert Wise's, 1956, "Helen of Troy", "Palmenio", in the Richard Burton, 1956, "Alexander the Great", and "Roulin", in Kirk Douglas's, "Lust for Life". Later, after this feature film, Niall MacGinnis portrayed the "King of the Greek Gods, Zeus", in stop-motion animator Ray Harryhausen's, 1963, "Jason and the Argonauts".
Passing the Runes:
What the audience sees at the stories beginning, is "Professor Harrington", portrayed by Maurice Denham, begging his rival, "Dr. Julian Karswell", whose house they're in, to rescind the curse the doctor has placed on the professor. In return, "Harrington" will cease his investigation into "Karswell's" Satanic cult. In their conversation, "Dr. Karswell" learns that a parchment he had given "Professor Harrington", with written runes on it, was destroyed. "Karnswell" promises to do whatever he can and the other leaves the house.
"Professor Harrington" arrives home and as he goes toward the front door, the professor sees a cloud of smoke appear, and the demon of the film's title appears.
The frightened "Professor Harrington", runs back to this car, gets in, starts to drive away, as "The Demon" appears to come closer to his car, As a result of his growing fear, "Harrington" crashes his car into electrical power lines on the road's side, electrocuting the professor. His death is ruled a tragic accident,
STOP!
That is not in the motion picture shot be Jacques Tourneu.
As I mentioned, the director was returning to his work style with producer Val Lewton. There was no visible Demon in the above sequence, and like 1942', "The Cat People". Where the audience never sees "Irena" physically change into a Black Panther. In Jacques Tourneau's directors cut, you see "Professor Harrington's" fearful reaction to whatever the "Casting of the Runes" made his mind see. The same style was used for the death of "Dr. Karswell" at the movie's ending by Jacques Tourneur. "Julian Karswell" is forced to deal with his own fears as the power of "Casting the Runes" turned against him. Instead, this is what you get - - - -
What happened was producer Hal E. Chester didn't appreciate the subtile power of suggestion on the viewing audience. So, after the two who were opposing what he wanted, Jacques Tourneur, and Dana Andrews were gone. Chester rook the completed motion picture and added a monster, because he knew that every horror movie should have a monster. He had approached Ray Harryhausen, but he was working on "The 7th Voyage of Sinbad".
Pertaining to the "Chester Demon", Jacques Tourneur stated, as quoted at "TCM.com"
The scenes where you see the demon were shot without me...the audience should never have been completely certain of having seen the demon.
According to the British "Monthly Film Bulletin" review at the time of the film's release and not knowing of Hal E. Chester's tampering:
This essay in the occult is handled with much of the assurance the same director brought to Cat People (1942), and is well above average. Inevitably the sequences where the demon takes on a visible form are the weakest – especially in the ending – and seem rather the product of a child's nightmare than an adult's imagination. But the summoning of the storm, the experiences of Holden in Karswell's library and the woods and the rousing of one of Karswell's victims (brilliantly played by Brian Wilde) from a hypnotic trance are effective.
What Jacques Tourneur's actual director's cut looked like, I could not locate. The first theatrical version that was released, is Hal E. Chester's monster version, titled, "The Night of the Demon", and runs 95-minutes.
The United States version entitled, "Curse of the Demon", only runs 82-minutes.
According to writer Tony Earnshaw's, 2004, "Beating the Devil: The Making of Night of the Demon", page 65, Charles Bennett stated the title change was made to not confuse American audiences with the Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, version of American playwright Tennessee Williams, "Night of the Iguana".
However, this doesn't make sense, because the Taylor-Burton motion picture was released in 1964, not March 1958.
A reconstruction of the American "Curse of the Demon", with added found footage runs approximately 96-minutes. Confused? There is a November 26, 2018, Blu-Ray release, that has these three plus a fourth version, have fun.
As of this writing, the following link takes my reader to the British "Night of the Demon". at One Hour, Thirty-five-minutes, and 45 seconds in length.
Before Italy discovered the American Western and blended it with Italian pasta to create "Spaghetti Westerns". There were almost two decades of what was called "Peplum". My article, "PEPLUM: A Look at the Sword and Sandal Motion Pictures from the 1950's and 1960's", opens with:
Kirk Douglas, Richard Burton, Anthony Quinn, Christopher Lee, John Drew Barrymore, Directors Robert Wise and Robert Aldrich, and, yes, Steve Reeves and Gordon Scott. They all came to Italy, from the United States, to make Peplum features. This is an overview of what became generically known, from the mid-1950's into the mid-1960's, simply as, SWORD AND SANDAL motion pictures, because they involved heroes with Swords and they all wore Sandals.
My reader will find this article at:
Another American film director that went to Italy to make a "Peplum" was Jacques Tourneur.
LA BATTAGLIA DI MARATONA released in Italy on December 3, 1959
On May 25, 1960, the feature arrived in the United States as:
THE GIANT OF MARATHON
One could describe this story as Italy making a movie about Greek history starring an American Body Builder.
The screenplay is based upon a famous Greek story, that was especially told by English poet Robert Browning, seen below, in his 1879 poem, "Pheidippides". It is the story of an Olympic Games Champion who was a running courier, a person carrying messages for the City of Athens, to other cities in Greece. Who had to run approximately 150-miles in total, from Athens to Sparta, and back again to Athens. His purpose to get Spartan help against the invading Persians, at what became know as "The Battle of Marathon", in 490 B.C.
The screenplay was by three writers, the first was Ennio De Concini. He had been one of the writers on actor Kirk Douglas, 1954, "Ulysses", and followed that screenplay with the 1954, Anthony Quinn, and unknown Sofia Loren's, "Attila. His other work included being one of the 10-writers, on the Audrey Hepburn, Henry Fonda, and Mel Ferrer, 1956, "War and Peace", directed by King Vidor. In 1962, Ennio De Concini received the "Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Screenplay" award for "Divorce Italian Style".
The second writer was Augusto Frassinetti, who only wrote 12-screenplays. Besides this film, they included 1960's, "La regina delle Amazzoni (The Queen of the Amazons)" aka: "Colossus and the Amazon Queen", starring Australian actor, Rod Taylor and Gianna Maria Canale, Steve Reeves's, 1961, "il ladro di Bagdad (Thief of Baghdad)"and 1962's, ""L'arciere delle mille e una Notte (The Archer of the Thousand and One Nights)" aka: "The Golden Arrow", starring Tab Hunter and Rossana Podesta.
That third writer I will mention shortly.
This was an Italian-French co-production, with French speaking Jacques Tourneur as the major director. In 1958, Tourneur had been directing strictly American television programs. One was "Northwest Passage", based upon the Kenneth Roberts novel of the same name, and starring Keith Larsen, Buddy Ebsen, and the forgotten Don Burnett. Jacques Tourneur had directed eight episodes of the program, when outtakes of those eight, with outtakes of episodes by director George Waggner, were combined into a feature length re-edit, "Frontier Rangers", released in Sweden, on July 6, 1959 A second set of outtakes, became "Mission of Danger". Which was first released on January 16, 1960, in Sydney, Australia. Followed in March, on the island of Jamaica, and in May, in both Italy and Sweden. These two releases, gave viewers from those countries, the idea that they were separately made feature films in a French and Indian War feature film series. Instead of quickly put together re-edits of an American television program for "Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer", to increase their profit margin on a failed one-season, 26-episode television series. Both released, before the English language dub, "The Giant of Marathon" was released in the United States.
Above left to right, Keith Larsen, Buddy Ebsen, and Don Burnett
That third screenplay writer, was also both this motion picture's main producer, and Jacques Tourneur's fully credited co-director, Bruno Vailati. Vailati only directed eight other feature films and one of these was Steve Reeves, 1961, "il ladro di Bagdad (Thief of Baghdad)". All of which, he also co-wrote. Looking at the movies Vailati produced, besides this one. They include, 1959's, "Caltiki, il mostro immortale (Caltiki, the Immortal Monster)", 1959's, "Ercole e la regina di Lidia (Hercules and the Queen of Lydia)" aka: "Hercules Unchained", and, again, 1961's, "il ladro di Bagdad (Thief of Baghdad)".
The Cinematographer, and Special and Visual Effects Supervisor, on "La Battaglia di Maratona", became an uncredited director for some of the scenes, In fact, ten days before the film's release. he had to reshoot a group of shots, because the film showed the Italian and French actors that were portraying Greek soldiers, smoking Italian and French cigarettes. The name of this cinematographer was Mario Bava, and he followed this feature with his first fully credited directing position, 1960's, "La maschera del demonio (The Mask of the Devil)" aka: "Black Sunday". My article is "Dario Argento and Mario Bava: Two Italian Masters" at:
Depending upon the language version, the Italian, the French, or English. The position's (the credit's), of the main film cast on the motion pictures posters change for the country of release. Except that Steve Reeves's name, as the main draw to this motion picture, remains first and in bold lettering.
Steve Reeves portrayed "Pheidippides", or "Phillippides". In 1954, director Edward D. Wood Jr. released his film-noir crime drama, "Jail Bait". The 4th-billing, as "Police Lieutenant Bob Lawrence", went to body builder Reeves. For the body builder/actor, the Jane Powell and Debbie Reynolds, 1954 musical, "Athena", followed. Which had him at 18th-billing, portraying "Ed Perkins", but billed on-screen as "Steve Reeves, Mr Universe of 1950". Four-years later found that same body builder in an Italian Peplum movie, 1958's, "Le fatiche di Ercole (The Labors of Hercules)", dubbed into English by Joseph E. Levine, released simply as "Hercules", and the rest was history. Just prior to this motion picture, International star, Steve Reeves, led the cast in 1959's, "Gli ultimi giorni di Pompei (The Last Days of Pompeii)", and he would follow this film with 1960's, "Morgan il pirata (Morgan the Pirate)". The following link is to a small article that I wrote about the actor back in 2015, when I first started this blog. The title is "STEVE REEVES: A Look At His Films", being a quick read at:
Mylene Demongeot portrayed "Andromeda". The French actress was considered one of France's International Motion Picture Sex Symbols, but had a career that spanned 7-decades, in French, Italian, English, and Japanese productions. In many of these films speaking the appropriate language rather than being dubbed. She would follow this feature with the very good, 1960, Italian, Second World War thriller. About the true chase of a German raider, "Sotto dieci bandiere (Under Ten Flags)", co-starring with Van Heflin and Charles Laughton.
Looking at the poster for the English dubbed, "The Giant of Marathon", above, right below Mylene Demongeot's name is that of 3rd-billed, Daniela Rocca. Who portrays either "Charis", or "Karis", depending upon the three main languages the film was released in, Italian, French, or English. While, on the original Italian poster she is in 11th-billing, which is where she is on the official cast list. Two films prior to this one, found Rocca is 1959's, "Caltiki, il mostro immortale (Caltiki, the Immortal Monster)", followed by 1959's, "Le legioni di Cleopatra (Legions of Cleopatra)" aka: "Legions of the Nile". The actress followed this feature film with 17th-billing, in 1960's, "Austerlitz" aka: "The Battle of Austerlitz" featuring Orson Welles, Claudia Cardinale, Leslie Carlon, and Jack Palance.
Above, Steve Reeves with Daniela Rocca
The actual 3rd-billed actor was Sergio Fantoni portraying "Theocritus". Fantoni is known to American audiences, for portraying, "Italian Army Captain Oriani" in Frank Sinatra's Second World War movie, 1965's, "Von Ryan's Express". Fantoni was "King Eteocles", in 1959's, "Ercole e la regina di Lidia (Hercules and the Queen of Lydia)", in 1960, Sergio Fantoni co-starred in "Seddok, l'erede di Satana (Zeddok, the heir of Satan)" aka: "Atom Age Vampire".
The Usual Peplum Screenplay, (Action and Sexy Women):
This story is taking place after "The Last Tyrant of Athens", "Hippias", who ruled from 527 B.C. to 490 B.C., died at 80-years of age.
The Greek Olympic's takes place and a peasant named "Pheidippides", becomes the champion and is a favorite of the people.
As a reward, he is moved up in station to the "Commander of the Sacred Athenian Guard", 100 Solider's strong. His responsibility is to defend Athens against all aggressors.
Meanwhile, two of the followers of "Hippias", "Kresuos (Creuso)", portrayed by Ivo Garrani, and "Theocritus", members of the Athenian ruling council, have congratulated "Pheidippides", but plan to get him on their side, as the two take over the control of Athens.
The plan is to have "Charis (Karis)", the servant of "Theocritus", seduce and marry "Pheidippides", bringing him under their control. The problem is that the new "Commander of the Sacred Guard" has seen a beautiful young woman from a far and fallen in love with by first sight. He goes over and speaks to the young woman and asks to see her again, but she refuses and leaves.
However, one of the woman's handmaidens tells "Pheidippides", the she is "Andromeda", and will dance that night at the temple. What he doesn't know is that "Andromeda" is the daughter of "Kresuos (Creuso)" and is promised to "Theocritus". Discovering that the "Sacred Guard's" commander is in love with "Andromeda", "Theocritus" switches tactics and invites him to his house, and reveals to "Pheidippides", who is mystery love really is. However, not sure of "Theocritus's" real motivation, let alone the love of "Andromeda", which has been developing, "Pheidippides" leaves the house in disgust.
However, affairs of love, and affairs of gaining control of Athens are put on hold, WHEN:
"Darius, the King of Persia", portrayed by Daniele Vargas" billed as "Daniele Varga", lands thousands of troops on the plains of Marathon and prepares to march on Greece.
A council meeting is held in Athens, and "Miltiades", portrayed by Alberto Lupo, one of the ten generals of the army to serve Athens in 490 B.C., is made the commander in chief of all the armies. He vows to fight to the end to defend Athens and Greece. However, "Theocritus" suggests that "Miltiades", instead, just surrender Athens to "Darius" to avoid bloodshed. "Miltiades", who in history is remembered for his plan to defeat the Persians at "The Battle of Marathon", and other council members suggest that "Pheidippides", honored by all of Greece over the Olympic Games, go to Sparta for help. Sparta is Athens neighbor and one time enemy, but now all Greece needs them to stop the Persian, "King of Kings, Darius". "Pheidippides" accepts the challenge and before he starts out, "Charis/Karis" sees him, and gives the "Athenian Runner Courier" a kiss for luck, knowing she can't have him. The kiss is seen by "Andromeda", who goes to her father with concerns about what she's seen. "Creuso/Kresuos" now realizes he has ben blind about his daughter's love, and the motives of "Theocritus".
"Theocritus" who wants power in what he sees as the new regime of "Darius" over Greece, sends out men to ambush and kill "Pheidippides". The ambush takes place, but unknown to "Pheidippides" one of the ambushers escapes and reports back to "Theocritus". Hearing this is "Charis/Karis", and she is taken prisoner as "Theocritus" now goes to "Darius" to offer his help in taking Athens.
While "Pheidippides" keeps on running to Sparta without further stopping. Is able to get a commitment for help with Spartan forces, thanks to a fellow Olympian,"Euros", portrayed by Sergio Ciani. Ciani would change his name and became "Alan Steel" in Spaghetti Westerns/
Now, "Pheidippides" starts his run back to Athens and arrives above the plains of Marathon overlooking the Persian army.
Above, Daniele Varga on the left as "Darius", and Sergio Fantoni on the right as "Theocritus"
On the hill above Persian chariots, "Pheidippides" starts a rock slide, after tossing several large boulders on them. He now meets with "Miltiades", while in the Persian camp, "Charis/Karis" overhears. "Theocritus" suggesting to "Darius" that he attack Athen's from the weaker rear of the city to ensure that the city surrenders. "Theocritus" kills her out of fear of what she knows about the plan, and his treason to Athen. Thinking he has killed her, "Theocritus" never checks to see if she had actually died, which she hasn't. She is able to just get to "Miltiades" and "Pheidippides" and warn them with her dying breath.
Meanwhile, "Theocritus" goes to "Creuso/Kresuos" and tells him to have the council surrender to "Darius", but the other refuses. "Theocritus" now mortally wounds his one time associate and abducts "Andromeda". "Pheidippides" finally arrives in Athens, and is taken to the death bed of "Creuso/Kresuos"and is told about the abduction of his love. With the scared guard, a plan of attack on the approaching Persian fleet is made. The sacred guard will plant iron spikes under water. and as the fleet approaches the shoreline with more Persian troops. The spikes will rip open their wooden bottoms, causing the ships to fill with water and sink. As the ships make their approach, "Pheidippides" and the guard meet them by throwing flaming spears.
A now desperate "Theocritus" ties "Andromeda" to the helm of his ship and rams the smaller vessel used by "Pheidippides".
This is followed by the "Sacred Guard" climbing aboard the much larger ship, and a fight to the death between "Pheidippides" and "Theocritus", the traitor to Greece is killed, and "Andromeda" saved by her true love.
"Pheidippides", with the "Sacred Guard", join in the land battle with "Miltiades". The smaller army of Athens fights what should be a losing battle against "Darius" and his Persians. When all looks like the end for the Athenians, the Spartans arrive, and enjoin the battle.
The Persians are beaten back by the combined Greek forces and "Darius" leaves with his remaining troops. The feature ends with "Pheidippides" and "Andromeda" united in love.
At the time of this writing, the following link takes my reader to not the best quality print of "The Giant of Marathon", at:
Jacques Tourneur's only motion picture between "The Giant of Marathon", and the next I will mention, was once more made from outtakes of the television series "Northwest Passage". It was called, "Fury River", and was first shown in Austria, in September 1961.
According to Chris Fujiwara's, 1998, "Jacques Tourneur: the cinema of nightfall", responding to all of the comparisons between the next motion picture and director Rodger Corman's, "Edgar Allan Poe's" features. Tourneur responded that Corman's films:
are adapted to young people, children—they're not for adults. Ours was extremely adult.... [O]ur film was deliberately aimed at the mature thinking people who appreciate satire, who appreciate cynical humor—therefore it was completely lost on the kids who were looking for horror and they didn't get it.
I guess you would have had to ask Jacques Tourneur's leading actor, when the above comment was made, if he agreed? That actor was Vincent Price, who had also starred in 7, of the 8, Rodger Corman "Poe" films. My article about those feature films. is "Quoth 'The Raven': ROGER CORMAN" at:
You might also have asked the screenplay writer of Tourneur's motion picture about the above quote. This screenplay writer had written the first 5, Rodger Corman "Poe" screenplays, and set the tone for the entire series except for the writer's 1963, comedy, "The Raven", and the Charles Beaumont, and R. Wright Campbell's, 1964, "The Masque of the Red Death".
THE COMEDY OF TERRORS premiered in Detroit, Michigan, on December 25, 1963
Richard Matheson, below, wrote this screenplay. Perhaps you've read his novel "The Shrinking Man", or seen the 1957 motion picture version with his screenplay? Perhaps, you've read his short story, "I Am Legend", or seen, as of this writing, the three film versions starting with the Italian 1964, "The Last Man on Earth". Perhaps, it's the writer's combination screenplay of two novels by French author, Jules Verne, 1961's, "The Master of the World"? My short overview of his film work is entitled "Richard Matheson: Screenplays and Treatments" at:
Jacques Tourneur, as I've mention, was the director of this satirical piece of horror. He had just directed an episode of the television series, "Adventures in Paradise", entitled "A Bride for the Captain", and shown on March 11, 1962. Tourneur would follow this feature with an episode of the television series, "The Twilight Zone", "Night Call", written by Richard Matheson, and first shown on February 7, 1964.
The Four Main Cast Members:
Vincent Price portrayed "Waldo Trumbull". He had just been seen in the 1963, Nathaniel Hawthorne based "Twice-Told Tales", and would follow this motion picture with the previously mentioned, 1964, "The Last Man on Earth". In 1963, he was "Big Daddy" in the surfing motion picture, "Beach Party", that started a series of films starring "Mouseketeer", Annette Funicello and "Teenage Heart Throb", Frankie Avalon.
Peter Lorre portrayed "Felix Gillie". He had just been seen on the television anthology series, "Kraft Suspense Theatre", "The End of the World, Baby", shown on October 24, 1963. Lorre would follow this motion picture with the 2nd "Beach Party" feature, 1964's, "Muscle Beach Party", portraying "Mr. Strangdur". My article is "PETER LORRE: Overlooked, or Foreign Performances" to discover at:
Boris Karloff portrayed "Amos Hinchley". KARLOFF had just been in the three part Italian, 1963, horror film directed by Mario Bava, "I tre volti della parua (The Three Faces of Fear)". As the story goes, a British rock band was on tour and saw the English language dub of the movie. The group dropped their current name and took its title as their own, "Black Sabbath". Boris Karloff would follow this feature film with 3rd "Beach Party" motion picture as "The Art Dealer". My article is "Boris Karloff: There Was More Than Horror Movies (January 15, 1919 to July 20, 1958)" at:
Basil Rathbone portrayed "John F. Black, Edq.". Rathbone had just been seen in a weird anti-Communist movie with him as a black-robed inquisitor and narrator, 1962's,"Two Before Zero". He followed this feature film with an episode of the television anthology series, "Suspense", "The Leader", shown on June 3, 1965. In 1966, Basil Rathbone portrayed "Reginald Ripper" in the 7th and final "Beach Party" motion picture, "The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini". My article is "Basil Rathbone: From the Boer War to the Ghost in the Invisible Bikini" at:
For those of my readers who are interested in the "Beach Party" motion pictures? My article is "THE GHOST OF DRAGSTRIP HOLLOW MEETS THE GHOST IN THE INVISIBLE BIKINI: The Story of the BEACH PARTY Motion Pictures" surfing the big waves at:
The Basic Story:
No State is named, but the audience is told these events took place in a New England community named "New Gilead", sometime in the late 19th Century. The name "Gilead" was a specific choice of Richard Matheson, and could referred to a mountainous region of present day Jordan. However, the Hebrew Bible's translation of the word, "Gilead", becomes "Heap of Testimony". In 1985, authoress Margaret Atwood, published her novel, "The Handmaid's Tale". The story is set in New England, in the "Republic of GILEAD".
"Waldo Trumbull", runs a funeral parlor that he acquired from his senile business partner,"Amos Hinchley". Drunkard "Waldo", is unhappily married to "Amos's" daughter, "Amaryllis", portrayed by Joyce Jameson, whom he abuses, but once her father dies. She inherits a very large amount of money and then who will need her? To speed things up, "Waldo" gives "Amos" his medicine, actually a slow working poison.
"Waldo" has enlisted picklock "Felix Gillie" as his assistant, and the two murder wealthy people to gain more money. For each person's funeral, the two reuse the only coffin at the funeral parlor.
"Felix" is in love with "Amaryllis", but even with her husband's abusive treatment, she remains faithful to "Waldo". Meanwhile, the funeral parlor's landlord, "John F. Black" is demanding the overdue rent, or the others will be evicted.
Note:
Boris Karloff was originally to have portrayed "Black", but when filming was to start. He was found to be too weak to handle the role's requirements, and switched character's with Basil Rathbone.
To get the needed money to avoid eviction, "Trumbull" murders a wealthy shipping magnate and offers his wife a funeral. After the funeral, when "Waldo" goes to get paid, he finds the wife has skipped the country with all her husband's money. So, plan "B" is to have "Felix" murder "Black". However, when "Felix Gillie" goes to murder "John F. Black", he finds him swinging a sword and reciting the works of Shakespeare, a fitting bit for Rarthbone.
Actually, at the sight of "Gillie" and the attempt on his life. "Black" suffers a heart attack and dies, according to a local physician, but the physician's assistant warns that "Black" has had previous attacks appearing to be dead. "Waldo" and "Felix", unaware of the physician's assistants warning, transport "Black" to "Trumbull's" mortuary. Where, "Amaryllis's" cat "Cleopatra", portrayed by Orangey, billed as "Rhubarb", awakens "John F. Black".
"Waldo" and "Felix" prevent "John" from escaping, and he suffers a second heart attack. While being placed in the coffin, "Black" revives once again, and "Trumbull" knocks him unconscious. The funeral for "John F. Black" goes as planned without anyone realizing that he's still alive.
"Black" is now transferred to his family crypt, and later, a drunken "Waldo" is enjoying counting his money from the funeral. While, "Felix" makes another pass at "Amaryllis" to no avail. She next attempts to attract her husband's attention, is rebuffed, and decides to run away with "Felix". As "Black" awakes in his coffin, grabs an axe and goes after "Trumbull".
"Black" goes to the mortuary, enters the "Trumbull's" parlor, "Amaryllis" faints, "Waldo" and "Felix" are chased around the house by "John Black". "Felix" falls down some stairs and is lying unconscious at the bottom. "Waldo Trumbull" shoots "John Black", who does another Shakespeare monologue and dies upon its completion.
"Amaryllis" awakes and not seeing "Felix", believes "Waldo" murdered him and threatens to call the police. "Waldo" reacts by strangling her.
"Felix" comes too at the bottom of the stairs, goes upstairs, and learns that "Waldo" murdered his wife. "Felix" takes a sword and attacks "Waldo", in turn, "Trumbull" takes a poker and strikes down "Felix". At which time, "Black's" servant arrives, sees the chaos, leaves, and calls the police.
Exhausted from all that has taken place, "Waldo" collapses on to the floor. At the same time, "Amaryllis" and "Felix", who are both alive, leave the mortuary with each other. "Amos", who slept through everything, goes to "Waldo" and wanting to help, gives him some of his medicine. "Waldo" realizes he just drank poison and dies. As "Cleopatra" goes over to "Black", he sneezes, his allergy to cats having awaken him.
As of this writing, the following link will take my readers to "The Comedy of Terrors", starring four old pro's, at:
For Jaques Tourneur's last motion picture. How about mixing a little Edgar Allan Poe with a little of H. P. Lovecraft? The feature was first release as:
WAR-GODS OF THE DEEP in the United States on May 26, 1965
However, is was filmed in the United Kingdom, and released one-month later, in June 1965, under the actual screenplay title of:
CITY UNDER THE SEA
Jacques Tourneur directed his final motion picture after the previously mentioned "Twilight Zone" episode, "Night Call". He would follow this motion picture with his last work, an episode of the television series, "T. H. E. Cat". The title stands for actor Robert Loggia's. (1958's "The Lost Missile", 1988's "BIG", and 1996's, "Independence Day") character of "Thomas Hewitt Edward Cat", the episode, number 15 of the one season of 26, was shown on December 30, 1966, and entitled, "The Ring of Anasis".
The original screenplay was written by American, Charles Bennett, see this article, under "The Night of the Demon", for some of his other works. The picture was originally to be shot on and off of Massachusetts, but "American International Pictures" needed additional financial backing to complete the production. By arrangement with British, "Bruton Film Productions".
The filming was moved from the United States to Pinewood Studios, in Buckingham Shire, England, and shot along the coast off of Cornwall. Bennett dropped out of the production, after "AIP" wanted him to travel to the United Kingdom to do rewrites to his screenplay. Which initially, would be caused by the change in country and some new location situations.
As a result, "American International Pictures" hired another American screenplay writer Louis M. Heyward , and he made the trip. Apparently, what now ended up on-screen was not even close to Bennett's original screenplay. Among Heyward's screenplays is the 1964, "Beach Party" movie, "Pajama Party". The English language version of Mario Bava's, 1965, "Planet of the Vampires", and the Italian and American co-production starring, Vincent Price, 1966's, "Le spie vengono dal semifreddo, lit. "The spies who came in from the cool" aka: "Dr. Goldfoot and the Girl Bombs". The original Italian version had more on-screen time for the two Italian comedy stars and less for the American cast members.
Which brings me to Edgar Allan Poe,
Apparently, "AIP" felt there was still a lot of interest in their Rodger Corman, Edgar Allan Poe series, starring Vincent Price. It was decided, with the United Kingdom's distributor, "Warner-Pathe's", approval to name the film for a Poe poem to attract audiences. Even though the story had nothing to do with his poem "The City in the Sea", published in 1845. Sections of the poem, read by Vincent Price added to the screenplay, would be read at the beginning and end of the film as a gimmick to be able to tell viewers that the screenplay was actually based upon Edgar Allan Poe.
The complete poem can be found on the website, "All Poetry", at:
Lo! Death has reared himself a throne
In a strange city lying alone
Far down within the dim West,
Where the good and the bad and the worst and the best
Have gone to their eternal rest.
There shrines and palaces and towers
(Time-eaten towers that tremble not!)
Resemble nothing that is ours.
Around, by lifting winds forgot,
Resignedly beneath the sky
The melancholy waters he.
What about H. P. Lovecraft?
Neither, the opening on-screen credits for 1965, "War-Gods of the Deep", at this article's end, or the British title, "City Under the Sea", mention the H. P. Lovecraft novel, "The Shadow Over Innsmouth", published in 1936. Which is part of the "Cthulhu Mythology".
Yet, this motion picture is considered to also be based upon that H. P. Lovecraft novel. Apparently, prior to and after the movie's release. Film critics mentioned the connection to the Edgar Allan Poe poem was just to the title, but not to the actual story as seen on screen. However, these same critics and reviewers noted that a lot of the story is reminiscent of the Lovecraft's novel along the small Massachusetts coast, over any Poe work. Creating, over time, a strong belief that the story was based upon the works of Edgar Allan Poe and H. P. Lovecraft, and not an original story by either Bennett, or Heyward.
The novel can be read at the website, hplovecraft.com at:
https://www.hplovecraft.com/writings/texts/fiction/soi.aspx and opens with:
During the winter of 1927–28 officials of the Federal government made a strange and secret investigation of certain conditions in the ancient Massachusetts seaport of Innsmouth. The public first learned of it in February, when a vast series of raids and arrests occurred, followed by the deliberate burning and dynamiting—under suitable precautions—of an enormous number of crumbling, worm-eaten, and supposedly empty houses along the abandoned waterfront. Uninquiring souls let this occurrence pass as one of the major clashes in a spasmodic war on liquor.
Interesting Trivia:
Japanese director Ishiro Honda had a giant octopus, created by Japanese Special Effects Ace, Eiji Tsuburaya, for the original ending of フランケンシュタインの怪獣 サンダ対ガイラFurankenshutain tai Chitei Kaijū Baragon (Frankenstein vs Baragon the Subterranean Monster"). However, that ending was shelved, because of how bad the octopus looked. A new ending with the ground opening up during an earthquake swallowing the combatants was used. That is also the way the edited feature, with toned down references to the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb dropping, arrived in the United States as 1966's, "Frankenstein Conquers the World".
"AIP" considered using some of the shelved octopus footing in "City Under the Sea", but in the end made the same decision that Ishiro Honda had made. Although that octopus did show up in Honda's sequel to his earlier feature film, フランケンシュタインの怪獣 サンダ対ガイラ Furankenshutain no Kaijū: Sanda tai Gaira (Frankenstein's Monsters: Sanda vs. Gaira)". Which was re-edited with the entire references that the two monsters came from the "Frankenstein Boy" of the first feature. Being dropped in the American re-edit, as the 1970, English language, "War of the Gargantuas", that was released in the United States, but kept intact in the Toho International English dubbing.
For the main actors, I am going with the
United Kingdom billing, note, the slight difference on the above two posters.
Vincent Price portrayed "The Captain, Sir Hugh". He had just appeared in an episode of "The Jack Benny Program", "Jack Appears on a Panel Show", April 2, 1965, as "Panelist: Vincent Price". Also in the episode as themselves were Angie Dickinson, and the popular psychologist, "Dr. Joyce Brothers". Price followed this feature with 1965's, "Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine.
David Tomlinson portrayed "Harold Tufnell-Jones". The British stage, film and television actor, singer, and comedian, is probably best known for three roles in three Walt Disney motion pictures. He was "George Banks", in 1964's, "Mary Poppins", "Peter Thorndyke" in 1968's, "The Love Bug", and "Professor Emelius Brown", in 1971's, "Bedknobs and Broomsticks".
Above, Vincent Price and David Tomlinson
Tab Hunter portrayed "Ben Harris". He was a teen heart throb, who like actor Rock Hudson, had to keep his homosexuality hidden from the public. It wasn't until 2005, that the rumors were finally confirmed that he was gay. The actor portrayed "Steamer Lane", in one of the popular surfer films that had been created to compete with the "Beach Party" films. The movie was 1964's, "Ride the Wild Surf", and he co-starred with another teen heart throb, Fabian. Back in 1958, Hunter starred in director William Wellman's, "Lafayette Escadrille", based upon the director's own experiences as an American flyer for the French in the First World War. Look at the films cast and minor roles were portrayed by basically unknown actors, Clint Eastwood, David Janssen, Will Hutchens, and Tom. Laughlin.
Susan Hart portrayed "Jill Tregillis". Among the actresses films were the already mentioned, "Ride the Wild Surf", "Pajama Party", "Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine", and "The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini". As far as "American International Picture's" were concerned, she was the wife of co-owner and founder James H. Nicholson. They remained married until his death in 1972.
Above, Tab Hunter and Susan Hart.
The Basic Final Screenplay:
The story takes place in 1903, and American mining engineer "Ben Harris" is working on the Cornish Coast when a body washes a shore.
At a nearby hotel that night, "Ben" speaks to a fellow American, the hotelier's daughter, "Jill Tregillis", joining their conversation is the eccentric English artist, "Harold Tufnell-Jones". As the three discuss the dead body, a mysterious man enters the hotel lobby, looks around, and disappears from inside the hotel. The three investigate, but cannot locate where the man went and how he disappeared.
Later, that same night, "Jill" is kidnapped by a Gil Men, but the kidnapper has left a trail of water leading to a secret passageway.
"Ben", "Harold" and "Harold's" chicken, don't ask, billed with full credit on the official cast listing, as "Herbert the Rooster", enter the secret passage way and follow it down to a system of caves below the hotel.
Next, the two men and the rooster are sucked into a pool of what they believed was just water. They next find themselves looking upon an underwater city. That they will find out was built by men who over time became the Gill Men that kidnapped "Jill"
The Gill Men's city is now inhabited by a group of smugglers who have been living there since 1803. The dialogue states they have been living in the city "over a century". That dialogue error may be attributed to a minor oversight when Bennett's screenplay was rewritten. As the screenplay say the smugglers entered the city during 1803, making the time span not over, but within the century.
"Ben", "Harold", and "Herbert" are captured and taken to meet "The Captain" of the smugglers, "Sir Hugh".
He explains that his crew's life span was increased without aging as a result of a strange mixture of oxygen within the limits of the "City Under the Sea". However, "Sir Hugh" and his crew" is faced with one major problem, the volcano that keeps the city going has become unstable. When "Sir Hugh" learns that "Ben" is a modern engineer, he imprisons the two men until "Ben" can find a way to stabilize the volcano.
As to "Jill Tregillis", she has been kidnapped, because she is the image of the "Captain's" dead wife, "Beatrice". Whom he believes has returned to him after these long years.
"Dan", portrayed by Derek Newark, offers to guide "Ben" and "Harold" to the surface, if they will get his past crimes removed against him in a court of law.
The two agree to "Dan's" terms, but "The Captain" finds out and informs the three, that if the smugglers are exposed to sunlight. That they would age immediately and die, because they cannot leave the "City Under the Sea" due to decades of exposure to the mixture of oxygen keeping them alive. As punishment, "Dan" is sent to the surface in daylight.
"Ben" and "Harold" are "Granted an audience with his wife by Sir Hugh", and meet the "Reverend Jonathan Ives", portrayed by John Le Mesurier. The Reverend vanished several decades ago from Cornwall.
Realizing that "Ben" and "Harold" are untrustworthy and are looking for ways to leave. "Sir Hugh" has the two tied up and will be given to the Gill Men as a sacrifice to their volcano God.
"Jill" and "Ives" untie the two and the four head for the airlock with diving suits to walk under the sea to a cave that has a tunnel way up to the surface. At the airlock, the "Reverend Ives" says he will not go with the other three. They start the slow trek across the sea bottom to the cave but the volcano starts having minor eruptions slowing them down even more than the weight of the unaccustomed to diving suits. "The Captain" and his crew are following, so that he can be reunite with his "Beatrice". Another volcanic eruption takes place and part of the tunnel collapses. At the same time the eruption buries "Sir Hugh's" crew that entered the tunnel, but he continues to follow the other three, and heads for the surface. "Ben", "Jill", and "Harold", along with his rooster are standing on shore in the sunlight. "Sir Hugh, the Captain" appears and is hit with sunlight and rapidly ages and dies.
As of this writing, as I mentioned, the following link will take my reader to the "American International Pictures" release of 1965's, "War-Gods of the Deep" at:
https://m.ok.ru/video/1831523584692
On December 19, 1977, Jacques Tourneur passed away in Bergerac, Dordogne, France.
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