Soldier of Fortune (film)
| Soldier of Fortune | |
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 DVD cover |
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| Directed by | Edward Dmytryk |
| Produced by | Buddy Adler |
| Written by | Ernest K. Gann |
| Starring | Clark Gable Susan Hayward Michael Rennie |
| Music by | Hugo Friedhofer |
| Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
| Release date(s) | May 24, 1955 |
| Running time | 96 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Soldier of Fortune is a 1955 adventure film about the rescue of an American held prisoner in the People's Republic of China in the 1950s. It was directed by Edward Dmytryk, starred Clark Gable and Susan Hayward and was written by Ernest K. Gann based on his 1954 novel.
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[edit] Plot
Jane Hoyt (Susan Hayward) arrives in Hong Kong, looking for her husband, thrill-seeking photojournalist Louis Hoyt (Gene Barry). She attracts the eye of shady shipping magnate Hank Lee (Clark Gable). With his help, she learns that Louis entered Communist China and was imprisoned as a suspected spy.
She decides to arrange his escape. Hank advises her to give up the foolhardy venture, but she refuses to give up. She foolishly meets Fernand Rocha (Mel Welles) alone and gives him a $500 deposit to set up a rescue, but he merely gambles the money away and locks her up for his lecherous purposes. Fortunately, word reaches Hank, and he saves her.
Having fallen in love with Jane and realizing that she will not let herself get involved with him while her husband's fate remains uncertain, Hank decides to rescue the man himself. Hong Kong Marine Police Inspector Merryweather (Michael Rennie) happens to be inspecting Hank's junk when Hank decides to make his attempt and gets shanghaied for his trouble.
Hoyt is freed. Merryweather is forced to help Lee fight off a Chinese gunboat sent in pursuit. When they return safely to Hong Kong, Hoyt graciously bows out of his wife's life.
[edit] Production
David Niven was originally cast in the role of Inspector Merryweather but withdrew due to TV commitments.[1]
[edit] Cast
- Clark Gable as Hank Lee
- Susan Hayward as Jane Hoyt
- Michael Rennie as Inspector Merryweather, Hong Kong Marine Police
- Gene Barry as Louis Hoyt
- Alexander D'Arcy as Rene Dupont Chevalier (as Alex D'Arcy)
- Tom Tully as Tweedie, Owner of Tweedie's Bar
- Anna Sten as Madame Dupree
- Russell Collins as Icky, Piano Player
- Leo Gordon as Big Matt
- Richard Loo as General Po Lin, an impoverished exile who offers to guide Jane to Macao to see Rocha, but is taken off the ferry by the Communists
- Soo Yong as Dak Lai
- Frank Tang as Capt. Ying Fai (Chicago)
- Jack Kruschen as Austin Stoker, Lee's assistant
- Mel Welles as Fernand Rocha
[edit] References
- ^ "News from studios.". The Australian Women's Weekly (1933 - 1982) (1933 - 1982: National Library of Australia): p. 20. 24 November 1954. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article43199772. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
[edit] External links
- Soldier of Fortune at the Internet Movie Database
- Soldier of Fortune at the TCM Movie Database
- Hong Kong filming locations for Soldier of Fortune
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