A Bell for Adano
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| A Bell for Adano | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical poster for A Bell for Adano (1945) | |
| Directed by | Henry King |
| Screenplay by | Lamar Trotti Norman Reilly Raine |
| Produced by | Louis D. Lighton Lamar Trotti |
| Starring | Gene Tierney John Hodiak William Bendix |
| Cinematography | Joseph LaShelle |
| Edited by | Barbara McLean |
| Music by | Alfred Newman |
| Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
Release date |
|
Running time | 103 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $2.5 million[1] |
A Bell for Adano (1945) is a film directed by Henry King and starring John Hodiak and Gene Tierney. It was adapted from the novel of the same title by John Hersey, which won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1945. In his review of the film for The New York Times, Bosley Crowther wrote, "... this easily vulnerable picture, which came to the Music Hall yesterday, is almost a perfect picturization of Mr. Hersey's book."[2]
Plot
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 into 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 Licata, Sicily after the Allied invasion.[3]
Cast
- Gene Tierney as Tina Tomasino
- John Hodiak as Maj. Victor P. Joppolo
- William Bendix as Sgt. Borth
- Glenn Langan as Lt. Crofts Livingstone
- Richard Conte as Nico
- Stanley Prager as Sgt. Trampani
- Henry Morgan as Capt. N. Purvis
- Monty Banks as Giuseppe
- Reed Hadley as Cmdr. Robertson
- Roy Roberts as Col. W. W. Middleton
- Hugo Haas as Father Pensovecchio
- Marcel Dalio as Zito
- Fortunio Bonanova as Chief of Police Gargano
- Henry Armetta as Errante
- Roman Bohnen as Carl Erba
- Luis Alberni as Cacopardo
- Eduardo Ciannelli as Maj. Nasta
Production
It was in production from early November 1944 to mid-January 1945. Location filming was done at Brent's Crags, near Malibu, California.
References
- ^ Aubrey Solomon, Twentieth Century-Fox: A Corporate and Financial History Rowman & Littlefield, 2002 p 221
- ^ Crowther, Bosley (July 6, 1945). "A Bell for Adano (1945) The Screen; in military role". The New York Times.
- ^ Martin, Douglass. The New York Times: F.E. Toscani 89, Dies; Model for Hero of 'Bell for Adano' 28 Jan 2001
External links
- 1945 films
- 1940s drama films
- 20th Century Fox films
- American films
- American drama films
- American black-and-white films
- English-language films
- Film scores by Alfred Newman
- Films based on American novels
- Films directed by Henry King
- Films set in Sicily
- Italian Campaign of World War II films
- Screenplays by Lamar Trotti
- World War II films made in wartime