A Bell for Adano
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| A Bell for Adano | |
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 Theatrical poster for A Bell for Adano (1945) |
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| Directed by | Henry King |
| Produced by | Louis D. Lighton Lamar Trotti |
| Written by | John Hersey (novel) Norman Reilly Raine Lamar Trotti |
| Starring | Gene Tierney John Hodiak |
| Music by | Alfred Newman |
| Cinematography | Joseph LaShelle |
| Editing by | Barbara McLean |
| Distributed by | Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation |
| Release date(s) | June 21, 1945 |
| Running time | 103 minutes |
| Country |  United States |
| Language | English |
'A Bell for Adano' (1945) is a film directed by Henry King starring John Hodiak and Gene Tierney. The film was adapted from the novel A Bell for Adano by John Hersey, which won the Pulitzer Prize in 1945. In his 1945 review of the film, Bosley Crowther wrote, "... this easily vulnerable picture, which came to the Music Hall yesterday, is almost a perfect picturization of Mr. Hersey's book."[1]
The story concerns Italian-American U.S. Army Major Joppolo, who is placed in charge of the town of Adano during the invasion of Sicily. The title refers to Major Joppolo's attempts to replace the 700 year old bell that was taken from the town by the Fascists at the start of the war to be melted down for ammunition. Through his actions, Joppolo also wins the trust and love of the people.
Some of the changes Joppolo brings in to the town include:
- Democracy
- Free fishing privilege
- The freedom of mule carts
- A bell from the American Navy to replace the town bell
The short-tempered American commander, General Marvin, fires Major Joppolo from his position when Joppolo disobeys an order to prohibit mule cart traffic in Adano, which has been disrupting Allied supply trucks, because the mule carts are vital to the survival of the town.
The character of Joppolo was based on the real life experiences of Frank Toscani, who was military governor of the town of Licato, Sicily after the Allied invasion.[2]
[edit] Production notes
- Production Dates: Early Nov 1944-mid-Jan 1945
- Location filming was done at Brent's Crags, CA.
- Hersey's novel was also the basis for Paul Osborn's 1945 Broadway play A Bell for Adano, starring Fredric March.
- On June 2, 1956, CBS broadcast a televised version of Hersey's story, starring Barry Sullivan and Anna Maria Alberghetti and directed by Paul Nickell, and on November 15, 1967, The Hallmark Hall of Fame broadcast a version starring John Forsythe and Murray Hamilton and directed by Mel Ferrer.
[edit] References
- ^ Crowther, Bosley (July 6, 1945). "A Bell for Adano (1945) The Screen; in military role". The New York Times. http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9B02EEDB133BEE3BBC4E53DFB166838E659EDE.
- ^ Martin, Douglass. The New York Times: F.E. Toscani 89, Dies; Model for Hero of 'Bell for Adano' 28 Jan 2001
[edit] External links
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