Lorna Doone (1951 film)
| Lorna Doone | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Italian poster | |
| Directed by | Phil Karlson |
| Written by | George Bruce (adaptation) |
| Screenplay by | Jesse Lasky Jr Richard Schayer |
| Produced by | Edward Small |
| Starring | Barbara Hale Richard Greene |
| Cinematography | Charles Van Enger |
| Edited by | Al Clark |
| Music by | George Duning |
Production company | Edward Small Productions |
| Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 84 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Lorna Doone is a 1951 American Technicolor adventure film directed by Phil Karlson and starring Barbara Hale and Richard Greene.[1] It is an adaptation of the novel Lorna Doone by R.D. Blackmore, set in the English West Country during the 17th century.
Plot
Lorna Doone falls for John Ridd, but is betrothed (against her will) to one Carver Doone. As the English Civil War looms, John is determined to defeat the vicious Doone family and win Lorna over.
Cast
- Barbara Hale as Lorna Doone
- Richard Greene as John Ridd
- Carl Benton Reid as Sir Ensor Doone
- William Bishop as Carver Doone
- Ron Randell as Tom Faggus
- Sean McClory as Charleworth Doone
- Onslow Stevens as Counsellor Doone
- Lester Matthews as King Charles II
- John Dehner as Baron de Wichehalse
- Gloria Petroff as Lorna Doone as a Child
Production
Edward Small first announced plans to film the novel in 1944[2] and hired George Bruce to write a screenplay in 1946.[3] He sent representatives to England to scout locations that year and there was talk of a co-production with J Arthur Rank starring Louis Hayward with filming in Scotland.[4][5][6] Charles Bennett and Leonore Coffee also worked on the early drafts of the script.[7] In 1948 Alfred Hitchcock announced plans to film the novel for Transatlantic Pictures. Small claimed he had registered the title in the US; Hitchcock could film the story but would not be able to call it Lorna Doone in the US. This prompted Small to announce he would start filming in England in association with Rank and producer John Beck on 1 March 1949.[8][9] This was postponed due to the US–English film trade war of 1948–19 and in August 1949 filming was put back indefinitely.[10]
The project was reactivated later in 1949 when Small signed a two-picture deal with Columbia Pictures, for Lorna Doone and The Brigand.[11] It was decided instead to make the movie in Hollywood, with locations shot at Yosemite National Park. Richard Greene and Barbara Hale were cast in the leads and Jesse Lasky Jr did the final draft of the script.
The final script was heavily influenced by Westerns.[12]
Reception
Reviews were mixed.[13]
References
- ^ http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/40718
- ^ "Screen News". The Christian Science Monitor. Boston, Mass. 25 April 1944. p. 5.
- ^ Schallert, Edwin (7 February 1946). "Stars in Bowl Project; Rooney Cinema to Jell". Los Angeles Times. p. 9.
- ^ Schallert, Edwin (8 July 1948). "'Lorna Doone' Set Up; Widmark to Alter Pace". Los Angeles Times. p. 23.
- ^ Schallert, Edwin (11 March 1946). "'Lorna Doone' Inspiring Expedition to England". Los Angeles Times. p. 8.
- ^ "Stress Put on Realism in Pictures: Small Inaugurates Vogue for Authentic Locales Being Used". Los Angeles Times. 29 Sep 1946. p. C2.
- ^ "Dancer Wears Daring Costumes". Los Angeles Times. 9 May 1946. p. A3.
- ^ Schallert, Edwin (25 October 1948). "Small Hastens 'Doone' Project in Controversy; Sinatra Drama Sought". Los Angeles Times. p. A6.
- ^ Thomas F. Brady (25 October 1948). "Selznick Acquires New Film Comedy: Buys 'Lion Tamer's Husband' for Production in the Spring With Cotten or Peck". New York Times. p. 28.
- ^ homas F. Brady (2 August 1949). "Young and Lupino Set Up Film Firm: Plan Producing Documentary Movies, With 'Never Fear' Scheduled as First". New York Times. p. 15.
- ^ Schallert, Edwin (22 December 1949). "'Telegraph Hill' Aimed at Andrews and Prelle; Kazan Runs 'Streetcar'". Los Angeles Times. p. 15.
- ^ Jeffrey Richards, Swordsmen of the Screen, p 133
- ^ B.R.C. (21 June 1951). "Barbara Hale In Narrative By Blackmore". The Christian Science Monitor. Boston, Mass. p. 4.
External links
- Lorna Doone at IMDb
- ' film clip on YouTube
