Captain Fury
| Captain Fury | |
|---|---|
 Film poster |
|
| Directed by | Hal Roach |
| Produced by | Hal Roach |
| Written by | Grover Jones Jack Jevne William C. de Mille |
| Starring | Brian Aherne |
| Cinematography | Norbert Brodine |
| Editing by | William H. Ziegler |
| Release date(s) |
|
| Running time | 92 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | £250,000[1] |
Captain Fury is a 1939 American adventure film set in colonial Australia directed by Hal Roach. It was one of Hollywood's few attempts to depict Australian history.
Contents |
Cast [edit]
- Brian Aherne - Captain Michael Fury
- Victor McLaglen - Blackie
- Paul Lukas - Francois Dupre
- June Lang - Jeanette Dupre
- John Carradine - Coughy
- George Zucco - Arnold Trist
- Douglass Dumbrille - Preston
- Virginia Field - Mabel
- Charles B. Middleton - Mergon
- Lawrence Grossmith - Governor
- Lumsden Hare - Mr. John Bailey
- Mary Gordon - Mrs. Bailey
- John Warburton - Bob
- Claud Allister - Suco
- Will Stanton - Bertie Green
- David Clyde - Cook
Production [edit]
Roach got the idea for making the film after reading Robbery Under Arms. It was originally announced that Roach would be adapting the novel and using Brian Aherne and Margaret Sullavan as stars,[2] but this was abandoned, apparently out of fear of offending Australians, and Roach instead commissioned an original screenplay that was to be similar to the novel under the title of Captain Midnight.[3][4] There also may have been an issue with the rights to the novel, which were held by Cinesound Productions.
Australian politician Sir Earle Page visited Hal Roach studios in August 1938 and promised to assist the movie by sending over some koalas and eucalyptus trees.[5]
Filming was delayed because June Lang had an infected throat.[6] It took place near Malibu Beach. Four kookaburras were hired from Catalina Island Bird Park but refused to laugh during filming.[7]
Both Brian Aherne and Victor McLaglen had toured Australia and were anxious for the film to be as accurate as possible. Frank Baker, brother of Snowy Baker, acted as technical adviser. A few Australians were in the cast, including Billy Bevan and Frank Hagney.[8]
Reception [edit]
It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Art Direction by Charles D. Hall.[9]
References [edit]
- ^ "Hollywood makes.... Film of Australia." The Australian Women's Weekly 15 Jul 1939: 32 Supplement: The Movie World accessed. 28 Dec 2011
- ^ "HOLLYWOOD CABLE Australian Story For Hollywood." The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA) 9 Jul 1938: 13 accessed 28 Dec 2011
- ^ "CAPTAIN FURY RIDES AGAIN." The Sydney Morning Herald 13 Mar 1939: 7 Supplement: Women's Supplement accessed 28 Dec 2011
- ^ "£5,000 To Please Us." The Mail (Adelaide, SA) 22 Apr 1939: 4 Supplement: THE MAIL Magazine accessed 28 Dec 2011
- ^ "AMERICAN FILM ON AUSTRALIA." The Canberra Times 1 Dec 1938: 4 accessed 28 Dec 2011
- ^ "HOLLYWOOD CABLE JANET GAYNOR TO MARRY." The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA) 21 Jan 1939: 13 accessed 28 Dec 2011
- ^ "Laughing Jacks Who Won't Laugh Have Laugh On Hollywood." The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA) 14 Feb 1939: 15 accessed 28 Dec 2011
- ^ "Hollywood Films Australian Story." The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA) 18 Mar 1939: 13 accessed 28 Dec 2011
- ^ "NY Times: Captain Fury". NY Times. Retrieved 2008-12-10.
