John Paul Jones (film)
John Paul Jones | |
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Directed by | John Farrow |
Written by | John Farrow Jesse Lasky Jr. Ben Hecht |
Based on | Nor'wester by Clements Ripley |
Produced by | Samuel Bronston |
Starring | Robert Stack Marisa Pavan |
Cinematography | Michel Kelber |
Edited by | Eda Warren |
Music by | Max Steiner |
Production companies | Samuel Bronston Productions Suevia Films-Cesáreo González |
Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
Release date |
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Running time | 126 mins |
Countries | United States Spain |
Languages | English French |
Budget | $4–5 million[1][2] |
Box office | $1 million (est. US/Canada rentals)[3] |
John Paul Jones is a 1959 biographical adventure film from Warner Bros. Pictures, filmed in the Technirama process, about the American Revolutionary War naval hero. The film, shot in Dénia, Spain, was produced by Samuel Bronston and directed by John Farrow, from a screenplay by John Farrow, Ben Hecht, and Jesse Lasky Jr. The film is based on the story Nor'wester by Clements Ripley. The music score was by Max Steiner and the cinematography was by Michel Kelber. It was the final film directed by Farrow.
The film stars Robert Stack (in the title role), Marisa Pavan, Charles Coburn, Macdonald Carey, Jean-Pierre Aumont, David Farrar, Peter Cushing, Basil Sydney, and Thomas Gomez. The director's daughter and son Mia Farrow and John Charles Farrow also make their feature film debuts. Bette Davis made a cameo appearance as Empress Catherine the Great.[4]
Plot[]
On screen narration opens with a United States Navy officer telling new midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy the story of John Paul Jones (played as an adult by Robert Stack).
In 1759, twelve-year old John Paul (John Charles Farrow) is forced to flee Scotland when he attacks an English officer trying to enforce English laws against bagpipe playing and wearing kilts, symbols of Scottish nationalism. Going to sea, John Paul serves on several ships, becoming an experienced navigator by age 17 and by 1773 becoming master of a ship in the British West Indies. A fight with a mutinous crew member results in the mutineer's death, but because of the sailor's family connections, the governor of Tobago (Basil Sydney) advises Paul to leave and change his name. Paul adds a new surname, becoming "John Paul Jones," and goes to visit a brother who lives in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
Jones' brother has recently died, and he learns that he is to inherit his brother's estate, which includes two enslaved children, named Scipio (Charles Wise) and Cato (Randolph McKenzie), who are about to sold in the slave market. Jones, who in an earlier scene had expressed his hatred of the slave trade, frees the boys, who continue to work with him alongside his late brother's clerk, Peter Wooley (Tom Brannum). Jones also retains the services of his brother's attorney, the rising politician Patrick Henry (Macdonald Carey), to assist in business matters. Jones and Henry share resentment of British rule in the American colonies, but Jones finds himself torn between their friendship and his interest in Henry's love interest, Dorothea Danders (Erin O'Brien).
His brother's will had required Jones to settle down as a farmer, which Jones tries to do with little success. Having been rejected by Dorothea's father (Judson Laire) as a possible husband because of his questionable past, he decides to return to sea. The American Revolution has begun, and Jones shows his daring and ingenuity in a surprise American attack on British forces in Nassau in the Bahamas despite his superiors' misgivings. With the Declaration of Independence, Jones is given his own command in a barely-existent American Continental Navy and is reunited with Scipio and Cato, who then sail with him. Jones is able to seize eighteen enemy ships, whose cargo includes clothing meant for British troops under General Burgoyne but is now sent to American General George Washington (John Crawford).
Despite his successes, Jones is denied further command due to his low social and political status. When Jones goes to Valley Forge to deliver his resignation, Washington points out the desperate circumstances of his troops and persuades the sailor to go to France to help Benjamin Franklin (Charles Coburn) in enlisting the French as allies. In France, Jones is celebrated for his heroic feats at sea. At Franklin's urging, Jones takes a Dutch frigate that had been captured by the French and conducts a series of raids on the British coast, capturing the town of Whitehaven and its arms but treating the townspeople well. Once again, however, Jones' success is undercut by political rivalry, and his ship is taken from him.
Jones' new love interest, Aimee de Telleson (Marisa Pavan), is a lady in waiting to Marie Antoinette (Susana Canales) and, with Franklin's help, they persuade King Louis XVI (Jean-Pierre Aumont) to build a new ship for Jones, which will fly under the American flag with the name Bonhomme Richard (the French name for Franklin's "Poor Richard"). At sea, Jones engages in battle with the British ship HMS Serapis. Though his ship is heavily damaged, Jones continues to fight on, telling British Captain Richard Pearson (Peter Cushing), "I have not yet begun to fight!" Jones and his men overpower the British and seize control of the Serapis even while his own ship sinks.
Jones is unable to pursue his romance with Aimee because, again, of his social status. With the end of the revolution, Jones' desire to be put in command of the American Navy is also thwarted by the lack of government funding, so he answers the call for his help from the Russian Empress Catherine the Great (Bette Davis). Surrounded by sycophantic nobles, Catherine tests Jones' resolve and finds him withstanding the temptations of court life. She gives him command of the Black Sea Fleet, and leads it to victory over the Ottomans during the Russo-Turkish War. Given a title of nobility, Jones hopes to be able to return to France and Aimee. Jones becomes seriously ill, but returns to Paris. As he lies dying, Aimee writes down a letter he composes listing the qualities that a naval commander should have.
The final scene dissolves to the present day of 1959 and the Naval Academy. The narrating officer concludes with remarks about Jones' legacy.
Cast[]
- Robert Stack as John Paul Jones
- Marisa Pavan as Aimee de Tellison
- Charles Coburn as Benjamin Franklin
- Erin O'Brien as Dorothea Danders
- Macdonald Carey as Patrick Henry
- Judson Laire as Mr. Danders
- Bette Davis as Empress Catherine the Great
- Jean-Pierre Aumont as King Louis XVI
- David Farrar as John Wilkes
- Peter Cushing as Captain Pearson
- Susana Canales as Marie Antoinette
- Georges Rivière as Russian Chamberlain
- Tom Brannum as Peter Wooley
- Bruce Cabot as Gunner Lowrie
- Basil Sydney as Sir William Young
- John Crawford as George Washington
- Archie Duncan as Duncan MacBean
- Thomas Gomez as Esek Hopkins
- Bob Cunningham as Lt. Wallingford
- John Charles Farrow as John Paul
- Eric Pohlmann as King George III
- Frank Latimore as Lt. Richard Dale
- Ford Rainey as Lt. Simpson
Production[]
Development[]
In March 1939, Warner Bros. Pictures had purchased the screen rights to Clements Ripley's biographical novel about John Paul Jones, which was titled Clear for Action. James Cagney was attached to portray the title role. By December 1955, Jesse Lasky, Jr. was hired to write the script.[5]
In 1946, independent producer Samuel Bronston announced that he had obtained the cooperation of the U.S. Navy for the making of the film.[6][7] It took Bronston nine years to eventually find the financing for the project. In December 1955, Bronston announced that he had formed Admiralty Pictures Corporation, consisting of a group of New York investors, and that they had made a deal with Warner Bros. to produce their long dormant Call to Action project.[1] Jesse Lasky, Jr. was writing the script and Bronston wanted John Wayne to star.[8] In January 1956, Bronston stated that Admiral Chester Nimitz would act as his personal adviser on the film, in which production was to begin in May of that year.[9]
In May 1956, Bronston announced that Glenn Ford had accepted the title role.[10] Later, in July, William Dieterle had signed to direct the project, in which filming was scheduled for August.[11] A few days later, Ben Hecht was brought in to write a new version of the script.[12] By September, Richard Basehart had been cast after Bronston had tested 38 actors for the title role. The film would be shot in Warner Bros.' studio and off the Italian coast.[13]
In October 1956, Bronston signed a contract to shoot the feature in the Todd-AO process.[14] However, production was pushed back as Warner Bros. had withdrew from the project.[15] In October 1957, John Farrow had signed on to direct the film with shooting being re-located to Spain.[16] Two months later, it was reported that the Navy re-affirmed its full cooperation and that Warner Bros. had re-signed on as the distributor.[15] In February 1958, Robert Stack would play the title role.[17] The film was made in part using funds "frozen" in Spain.[18]
Filming[]
Filming started January 1958 in France and ended in August in Spain. There were 107 speaking parts and a shooting schedule of 92 days. Most of the unit was based at Denia. The Spanish government allowed filming at the Royal Palace in Madrid. There were also scenes shot in Scotland and Ostia.[19][20]
Reception[]
Bosley Crowther of The New York Times wrote the film was "an unexciting picture, so far as dramatic action is concerned, and utterly unexpressive of the recorded nature and character of John Paul Jones." He was dismissive of Stack's performance noting his portrayal was "as though he were a slightly dull but talkative member of a conservative gentleman's club".[21] Variety was similarly critical, noting the film "could be shortened drastically and tightened to give it better pace and emphasis. The strong portions would then show to better advantage and eliminate the drag of unnecessary plotting." Also, the magazine felt the depicted historical figures "tended to be stiff or unbelievable" because the film "doesn't get much fire-power into the characters. They end, as they begin, as historical personages rather than human being."[22] Harrison's Reports wrote the film "is excellent from the production point of view. It is, however, only moderately satisfying as an entertainment, for it is handicapped by a script that is something less than inspiring."[23]
The film was a box office failure, losing $5 million. Bronston, however, managed to raise financing from many of the same investors, notably Pierre S. du Pont III, for his later features.[24][2]
Legacy[]
Musician John Paul Jones (born John Baldwin), best known as the bassist of English rock band Led Zeppelin, took his stage name at the suggestion of Andrew Loog Oldham, who had seen the film's poster.[25]
Despite the financial failure of John Paul Jones, Bronston continued to produce a number of historical epic films, in which he had established Spain as a major production center in filmmaking.[26] However, Bronston would file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June 1964 following another financial failure with The Fall of the Roman Empire.[27][28][29]
Comic book adaption[]
- Dell Four Color #1007 (September 1959)[30][31] The Dell comic was drawn by Dan Spiegle.
References[]
- ^ a b Weiler, A. H. (June 15, 1958). "Passing Picture Scene: Big-Scale Features Slated by Samuel Bronston". The New York Times. p. X7.
- ^ a b Scheuer, Philip K. (December 21, 1960). "Ray Tells Directing of 'King of Kings'". Los Angeles Times. Part III, p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "1959: Probable Domestic Take". Variety. January 6, 1960. p. 34.
- ^ Vansittart 2004, p. 2.
- ^ Pryor, Thomas M. (December 23, 1955). "New Greene Book To Become Movie: Novelist's 'Quiet American,' Indochina Story, Will Be Filmed by Mankiewicz". The New York Times. p. 14.
- ^ Hopper, Hedda (March 29, 1946). "Looking at Hollywood". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. 29 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "News of the Screen". The New York Times. March 29, 1946. p. 29.
- ^ Schallert, Edwin (December 23, 1955). "Drama: John Paul Jones Story Aimed at Wayne; Peggy Lee Gets English Bid". Los Angeles Times. Part I, p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Pryor, Thomas M. (January 26, 1956). "2D Movie Slated By Brando Group". The New York Times. p. 24.
- ^ Hopper, Hedda (May 11, 1956). "Drama: Ford Accepts Role of John Paul Jones". Los Angeles Times. Part II, p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Schallert, Edwin (July 24, 1956). "Drama: Dieterle Will Direct 'John Paul Jones'; Terry, Blythe Returns Unique". Los Angeles Times. Part I, p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Pryor, Thomas M. (July 27, 1956). "Producers Seek M'Cullers Novel". The New York Times. p. 13.
- ^ Hopper, Hedda (September 11, 1956). "Basehart Given Nod as John Paul Jones". Los Angeles Times. Part 1, p. 26 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Pryor, Thomas M. (October 10, 1956). "Siegel May Get Loew's Top Post". The New York Times. p. 47.
- ^ Schallert, Edwin (October 24, 1957). "Fitzgerald Will Star in Britain; John Kerr Will Do Cocteau Play". Los Angeles Times. Part IV, p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Grauman's Closes for Alterations". The New York Times. February 13, 1958. p. 27.
- ^ Pryor, Thomas M. (November 30, 1958). "Hollywood Vista: Three Tennessee Williams Films, Two Biographies of Christ Scheduled". The New York Times. p. X7.
- ^ Gersdorfenia, Phil (August 17, 1958). "Film 'Armada' in Spain: 'John Paul Jones' Movie Unit Takes Small Iberian Village by Storm". The New York Times. p. X5.
- ^ "Passing Picture Scene: Big-Scale Features Slated by Samuel Bronston". The New York Times. June 15, 1958. p. X7.
- ^ Crowther, Bosley (June 17, 1959). "The Screen: 'John Paul Jones' Opens at Rivoli". The New York Times. p. 39. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
- ^ "Film Reviews: John Paul Jones". Variety. June 17, 1959. p. 6 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ "'John Paul Jones' with Robert Stack, Marisa Pavan and Charles Coburn". Harrison's Reports. June 13, 1959. p. 94 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ Hopper, Hedda (July 21, 1963). "For Samuel Bronston: Those Hollywood Beatings Pay Off Now". Chicago Tribune. p. G27 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Thompson 2008, p. 162.
- ^ Turner, Adrian (January 19, 1994). "Hollywood's lost tycoon; Obituary: Samuel Bronston". The Guardian.
- ^ "Bronston Film Productions Files Bankruptcy Petition". The New York Times. June 6, 1964. p. 15. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
- ^ "Film Maker Bankrupt". The Washington Post. June 7, 1964. p. A3.
- ^ "Bronston Productions Seemingly Loses Power In Two Partnerships". Wall Street Journal. March 5, 1964. p. 8.
- ^ [volume & issue needed]
- ^ Dell Four Color #1007 at the Comic Book DB (archived from the original)
Bibliography[]
- Pencak, William (2010). Pennsylvania's Revolution. Pennsylvania State University Press. ISBN 978-0-27-103580-2.
- Thompson, Gordon (2008). Please Please Me: Sixties British Pop, Inside Out. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-533325-1.
- Vansittart, Peter (2004). John Paul Jones: A Restless Spirit. Robson Books. ISBN 978-1-86-105621-4.
External links[]
- 1959 films
- American films
- Spanish films
- 1950s biographical drama films
- Warner Bros. films
- English-language films
- American biographical drama films
- Spanish biographical drama films
- Samuel Bronston Productions films
- Films directed by John Farrow
- Films scored by Max Steiner
- American Revolutionary War films
- Films set in the 1770s
- Films set in the 1780s
- Films set in the 1790s
- Films set in Russia
- Films set in France
- Films set in England
- Films set in Scotland
- Films set in the United States
- American epic films
- Spanish epic films
- Films shot in Madrid
- Films adapted into comics
- Cultural depictions of George Washington
- Cultural depictions of Benjamin Franklin
- Cultural depictions of Catherine the Great
- Cultural depictions of George III
- Cultural depictions of Marie Antoinette
- Cultural depictions of Louis XVI
- Cultural depictions of Patrick Henry
- 1959 drama films
- Films set in Trinidad and Tobago
- Films set in the British Empire
- Films set in Virginia
- Films shot in France
- Films shot in Spain
- Films shot in Italy
- Films set in the Bahamas
- Films set in Pennsylvania