Bernardine (film)
| Bernardine | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Henry Levin |
| Written by | Mary Chase Theodore Reeves |
| Produced by | Samuel G. Engel |
| Starring | Pat Boone Terry Moore Dick Sargent |
| Cinematography | Paul Vogel |
| Edited by | David Bretherton |
| Music by | Lionel Newman Johnny Mercer |
| Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
Release date |
|
Running time | 95 min. |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $1.23 million[1] |
| Box office | $3.75 million (US rentals) [2] |
Bernardine is a 1957 film directed by Henry Levin and starring Pat Boone, Terry Moore, Dean Jagger, Dick Sargent, and (in her last film, after a 19-year absence) Janet Gaynor. The 1952 play upon which the movie is based was written by Mary Coyle Chase, the Denver playwright who also wrote the smash hit Broadway play Harvey. The title song, with words and music by Johnny Mercer, became a hit record for Boone.
Plot
At Wingate High School, Vernon Kinswood, Arthur "Beau" Beaumont and Sanford "Fofo Bidnut" Wilson race cars and boats, hang out at an afterschool place called the "Shamrock Club," and love a mythical dream girl named Bernardine from Sneaky Falls, Illinois.
Sanford declares he intends to take a date to see bongo king Jack Costanzo perform at the Black Cat Club. The boys call the information operator once again and ask for the fictional Bernardine's phone number. A young operator, Jean, answers the phone and so Sanford goes to the telephone office to ask her for a date. Jean accepts.
Sanford's romance is threatened when his mother threatens to get married.
Cast
- Pat Boone as Arthur 'Beau' Beaumont
- Terry Moore as Jean Cantrick
- Janet Gaynor as Mrs. Ruth Wilson
- Dean Jagger as J. Fullerton Weldy
- Dick Sargent as Sanford Wilson (as Richard Sargent)
- James Drury as Lt. Langley Beaumont
- Ronnie Burns as Griner
- Walter Abel as Mr. Beaumont
- Natalie Schafer as Mrs. Madge Beaumont
- Isabel Jewell as Mrs. McDuff
- Edith Angold as Hilda
- Val Benedict as Friedelhauser
- Emestine Wade as Cleo
- Russ Conway as Mr. Mason
- Thomas Pittman as Olson
- Jack Costanzo as Himself - Orchestra leader
Production
Buddy Adler of 20th Century Fox bought the film rights in 1955 as a vehicle for Robert Wagner.[3] However the film was reworked as a vehicle for Pat Boone. In 1956 Boone was one of the biggest music artists in the US. Several movie studios pursued him and Adler was successful, signing him to a multi-picture contract with Fox. Bernadine was to be the fist movie.[4]
Boone tested for the roles of both Beaumont and Sanford. He was eventually cast as Beaumont - the role played on stage by John Kerr.[5][6] Dick Sergeant received his first important screen role as Sanford.[7] (Ed Byrnes reportedly also tested for the role.[8]) Janet Gaynor was lured out of retirement to costar as Sanford's mother.
Filming started 4 February 1957.[9]
Songs
- Bernadine
- Love Letters in the Sand
See also
References
- ^ Solomon, p251
- ^ Solomon, p227
- ^ Looking at Hollywood: Bob Cumming's Wife Buys Story; Two Studios Want It Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune (1923-1963) [Chicago, Ill] 14 Sep 1955: b6.
- ^ Bidding Is Hot as Pat Boone Signs Multi-Movie Contract Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune (1923-1963) [Chicago, Ill] 16 Nov 1956: a4.
- ^ Mary Chase's Latest Comedy a Real Delight Chapman, John. Chicago Daily Tribune (1923-1963) [Chicago, Ill] 18 Oct 1952: a3.
- ^ 'Ski Lift' Potential for Melchior, Barker; 'Actor' Named for Trio Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 24 Dec 1956: B7
- ^ 'Twilight for Gods' Big Picture Purchase; Gia Scala to Lure Taylor Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 04 Feb 1957: C9.
- ^ MOVIELAND EVENTS: Film Will Show New Route to Everest Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 29 Jan 1957: 20.
- ^ Dean Jagger Romances Gaynor; Deal to Join Fairbanks and Dragon Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 24 Jan 1957: C9
- Bernardine at AllMovie
- Solomon, Aubrey. Twentieth Century Fox: A Corporate and Financial History (The Scarecrow Filmmakers Series). Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press, 1989. ISBN 978-0-8108-4244-1.
External links
- Bernardine at IMDb
- Bernardine at the TCM Movie Database
- Bernardine at AllMovie
- Review of film at New York Times
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