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Post by petrolino on Nov 8, 2017 22:32:11 GMT
The siege drama 'The Desperate Hours' concerns a manhunt for a gang of criminals who take a family hostage in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. It's based on a 1955 play that was based on a 1954 novel, both written by Joseph Hayes. Another of Hayes' books was filmed as 'Bon Voyage!' (1962), detailing a family trip to Paris, France undertaken by the Willard family of Terre Haute, Indiana. Terre Haute
Indianapolis
Humphrey Bogart stars as proudly under-educated criminal Glenn Griffin, a foul-smelling stain on society who sets a terrible example to his kid brother Hal (Dewey Martin) and their mindless accomplice Simon Kobish (Robert Middleton). Fredric March is the gang's chief adversary Daniel Hilliard, a "yes" man lost in a bubble of his own making, happy to spend his time doing routine office work, complimenting his wife Eleanor (Martha Scott) and flirting with his daughter Cindy (Mary Murphy) who's keen to get with suited gigolo Chuck Wright (Gig Young). Leading the pursuit is harried lawman Deputy Sheriff Jesse Bard (Arthur Kennedy) who's working in conjunction with sly FBI Agent Carson (Whit Bissell).
"The source story began as a bestselling novel in 1954 written by Joseph Hayes. The following year Hayes adapted the novel into a play that made its way to Broadway in 1955 (winning a Tony Award) with Paul Newman as Glenn Griffin and Karl Malden as the head of the Hilliard family. The story was inspired by several real life incidents. The film was actually completed before the play even opened on Broadway, subsequently it was held back from release until the play unexpectedly closed after Karl Malden left the production after 212 performances. The change in casting from a young and still relative newcomer like Paul Newman to the iconic Bogart caused an obvious age difference between the convict Glen Griffin and his young brother Hal portrayed by Dewey Martin. Hayes willingly changed the script to accommodate the age difference in the actors. That said it does in no way distract from the story. Wyler originally wanted Gary Cooper or Henry Fonda for the role of the father with Marlon Brando or James Dean in the role of Glenn Griffin. Later he sought Spencer Tracy as the family head but no agreement could be reached between Bogart and Tracy on who would receive top billing, subsequently Tracy bowed out. Also look for two well known “B” actors in small roles, science fiction favorite Beverly Garland and Joe Flynn of “McHale’s Navy” fame, who plays a motorist whose car is hijacked by Kobish."
- John Greco, Twenty Four Frames
Suburban Stand-Off : Fredric March Vs Humphrey Bogart
The tables turn slowly in this influential siege drama but turn they do. Gradually Glenn's bullying becomes predictable as he insists upon forcing his hand early, causing a manageable degree of unrest that leads to civil disobedience. When Daniel's confronted by the monotonous, cringeworthy sight of framed portraits of his family members facing him down "Stepford style" in his own office, his spine becomes reinforced. Tough and emboldened, Daniel's superior height and unshakeable, upright frame suggest he could easily take out Bogie with a well-placed head butt but he has dependents to think about and may need their help to carry out his plans. This inevitably complicates things further, leading to some deft plot turns as Glenn goes from being king of the castle to a squirming louse. However, Glenn's "get out of jail free card" remains Daniel's irrational little boy Ralphie (Richard Eyer) who's stuck to the end of his barrel. The two men face off manfully at the film's climax where everybody if forced to meet their fate.
"J Edgar Hoover was a phenomenon. The first Director of the FBI, he remained in office for 48 years, from his appointment after the First World War to his death in 1972, achieving fame and extraordinary power. For public consumption when he died, President Richard Nixon eulogised him as: "One of the giants… a national symbol of courage, patriotism and granite-like honesty and integrity." He ordered flags to fly at half-mast and that Hoover's body lie in state in the Capitol. In private, on hearing that he had died, Nixon had responded merely: "Jesus Christ! That old c*cksucker!" Months earlier, closeted with key advisers, he had held forth on the need to persuade the elderly Hoover to resign. "We have on our hands here a man who will pull down the temple with him, including me." Nixon, soon to be disgraced and forced to resign, was of course himself no paragon. Most presidents before him, though, had had cause to fear Hoover or been troubled by what his FBI had become. Harry S Truman wrote during his presidency: "We want no Gestapo or secret police. FBI is tending in that direction. They are dabbling in sex-life scandals and plain blackmail… Edgar Hoover would give his right eye to take over, and all congressmen and senators are afraid of him." Hoover himself, meanwhile, had a personal secret that – in his era – could have destroyed him if revealed. Clint Eastwood referred to it this year before the launch of his movie, when he assured the J Edgar Hoover Foundation that J Edgar would not "portray an open homosexual relationship" between Hoover and his long-time male companion, Clyde Tolson. Eastwood stretched the truth. Though there is just one passionate kiss between Leonardo DiCaprio and Armie Hammer, the two actors portraying them in the movie, the relationship with Tolson is a central theme. In real life, all Washington knew was that the pair dined daily together, vacationed together, did everything but move in together, and the whispers flew. When a magazine article in the 1930s referred to Hoover's "mincing" gait, and a diplomat commented on his "conspicuous perfume", Hoover struck back. He gathered derogatory information on the offending journalist, and asserted – falsely – that he did not use perfume. Real information on the Hoover-Tolson relationship surfaced only long after both men were dead, during research for my book."
- Anthony Summers, 'The Secret Life Of J Edgar Hoover'
'The Desperate Hours' received an explosive action remake from cinematic stylist Michael Cimino that sensibly went its own way. 'Desperate Hours' (1990) was part of a wave of North American "home invasion" crime thrillers that emerged in the late 1980s / early 1990s. The real life case of the Hill family of Pennsylvania led to patriarch James Hill's hiring of private attorney Richard M. Nixon.
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Post by mikef6 on Nov 8, 2017 23:06:46 GMT
I had read stories for years over how the Bogart-Tracy vehicle fell apart in a dispute over billing. In later years, however, one of Bogart’s agents, Phil Gersh, said that Bogie had personally told his friend, Spencer Tracy, that he (Bogart) would gladly relinquish top billing. “I don’t care about that,” he told Spence. However, for reasons Gersh did not know, Tracy pulled away from the production and Fredric March got the part. – Source: “Bogart” by A.M. Sperber and Eric Lax (1997)
Another suggestion I have heard about Tracy’s reason for walking away from The Desperate Hours is his struggle with alcohol abuse.
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Post by Doghouse6 on Nov 8, 2017 23:44:56 GMT
I had read stories for years over how the Bogart-Tracy vehicle fell apart in a dispute over billing. In later years, however, one of Bogart’s agents, Phil Gersh, said that Bogie had personally told his friend, Spencer Tracy, that he (Bogart) would gladly relinquish top billing. “I don’t care about that,” he told Spence. However, for reasons Gersh did not know, Tracy pulled away from the production and Fredric March got the part. – Source: “Bogart” by A.M. Sperber and Eric Lax (1997) Another suggestion I have heard about Tracy’s reason for walking away from The Desperate Hours is his struggle with alcohol abuse. Whether it was alcohol and/or other factors, there was something going on with Tracy in '54-'55. Other projects he pulled away from on one pretext or another during that time were The High and the Mighty and Tribute To A Bad Man, and he had tried as well to free himself from Bad Day At Black Rock, finally relenting to a combination of personal pressure, pleas and promises from producer Dore Schary. Whatever the reason, he ended up not stepping before a camera from summer 1954 until early 1956. |
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Post by them1ghtyhumph on Nov 9, 2017 0:25:47 GMT
Would have rather seen the original play with Paul Newman in Bogey's part.
Bogey was getting too old for these parts, and stated so.
There is an interesting backstory to this story, as it is based on true events,
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Post by wmcclain on Nov 9, 2017 2:44:37 GMT
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Post by petrolino on Nov 9, 2017 2:50:28 GMT
I had read stories for years over how the Bogart-Tracy vehicle fell apart in a dispute over billing. In later years, however, one of Bogart’s agents, Phil Gersh, said that Bogie had personally told his friend, Spencer Tracy, that he (Bogart) would gladly relinquish top billing. “I don’t care about that,” he told Spence. However, for reasons Gersh did not know, Tracy pulled away from the production and Fredric March got the part. – Source: “Bogart” by A.M. Sperber and Eric Lax (1997) Another suggestion I have heard about Tracy’s reason for walking away from The Desperate Hours is his struggle with alcohol abuse. Whether it was alcohol and/or other factors, there was something going on with Tracy in '54-'55. Other projects he pulled away from on one pretext or another during that time were The High and the Mighty and Tribute To A Bad Man, and he had tried as well to free himself from Bad Day At Black Rock, finally relenting to a combination of personal pressure, pleas and promises from producer Dore Schary. Whatever the reason, he ended up not stepping before a camera from summer 1954 until early 1956. I figure he's lucky he held firm for 'Bad Day At Black Rock'. One of his better films from the 1950s. |
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Post by petrolino on Nov 9, 2017 2:52:01 GMT
Would have rather seen the original play with Paul Newman in Bogey's part. Bogey was getting too old for these parts, and stated so. There is an interesting backstory to this story, as it is based on true events, Paul Newman was a capable young actor around this time, for sure, but I'm sure he'd have been the first to proclaim nobody could outlclass the Bogie. |
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Post by petrolino on Nov 9, 2017 2:57:19 GMT
Fredric March made a dramatic film career out of wild confrontation, be it his own internal conflict while winning an Oscar for 'Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde' (1931), or the theatrical loggerheads of an emphatic showcase piece like 'Inherit The Wind' (1960)'. |
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Post by Doghouse6 on Nov 9, 2017 17:20:55 GMT
I figure he's lucky he held firm for 'Bad Day At Black Rock'. One of his better films from the 1950s. Not to rephrase you, petrolino , but I'd say we're the lucky ones. Story goes that after all of Schary's threats, wheedling and concessions, Tracy clung to his remaining objection: "I'd be out there at Lone Pine sweating in the height of summer while you're here in a comfortable, air-conditioned office." To which Schary answered, "Okay, Spence, I'll go along and sweat with you." I'm in wholehearted agreement on BDABR's quality. With its fabulous and colorful cast, tight construction and tense direction, it's like the slow-burning fuse on a stick of dynamite, and yielded an image of Tracy that became so iconic that Stanley Kramer used it as a subtle visual gag in Tracy's first It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World scene. |
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Post by teleadm on Nov 9, 2017 18:10:40 GMT
About The Desperate Hours 1955 Variety (at the time) wrote that Bogart plays the kind of role he can do it his sleep, and the kind of role that comedians nowdays parodies in sketches. Maybe it felt like that back the then. I think this is solid entertainment with pro acting and direction, and that they have managed well with opening up the play to make it more cinematic.  Even Bogart himself parodied his tough guy persona on The Jack Benny Show 1953 |
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Post by Doghouse6 on Nov 9, 2017 18:11:45 GMT
Some The Desperate Hours trivia: If the Hilliard home looks familiar to some viewers, it's not merely their imagination.
Although a Paramount film, space was rented on the Universal backlot's "Colonial Street," upon which Paramount constructed the home's exterior set in 1954. It remained a standing set - which it does to this day - and served as the Cleaver home when Revue Studios moved their operations and production of Leave It To Beaver from the Republic Pictures lot to Universal in the show's third season.
It would later be seen as the home of the Kimballs (Doris Day and Rock Hudson) in Send Me No Flowers and later still as the home and office of Marcus Welby, M.D., along with dozens of appearances in other Universal shows such as Ironside.
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Post by teleadm on Nov 9, 2017 18:29:47 GMT
Other movies based on Joseph Hayes books/novels:  As mentioned earlier  1962, based on the novel "The Hours After Midnight", a West German movie aka as Terror After Midnight in USA.  1965. Rather unseen when it came out, a few who has seen it recently when it's been re-released from Warner Archives, says it an unknown gem full of questions and emotions that have to be resolved, others who might have expected an action movie are a bit dissapointed. |
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Post by them1ghtyhumph on Nov 9, 2017 19:20:01 GMT
Would have rather seen the original play with Paul Newman in Bogey's part. Bogey was getting too old for these parts, and stated so. There is an interesting backstory to this story, as it is based on true events, Paul Newman was a capable young actor around this time, for sure, but I'm sure he'd have been the first to proclaim nobody could outlclass the Bogie. It's not about class, it's about raw power and sexuality. In 1955, Paul Newman had it, Bogey didn't. |
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Post by petrolino on Nov 10, 2017 2:40:37 GMT
I figure he's lucky he held firm for 'Bad Day At Black Rock'. One of his better films from the 1950s. Not to rephrase you, petrolino , but I'd say we're the lucky ones. Story goes that after all of Schary's threats, wheedling and concessions, Tracy clung to his remaining objection: "I'd be out there at Lone Pine sweating in the height of summer while you're here in a comfortable, air-conditioned office." To which Schary answered, "Okay, Spence, I'll go along and sweat with you." I'm in wholehearted agreement on BDABR's quality. With its fabulous and colorful cast, tight construction and tense direction, it's like the slow-burning fuse on a stick of dynamite, and yielded an image of Tracy that became so iconic that Stanley Kramer used it as a subtle visual gag in Tracy's first It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World scene. Hi doghouse. I'm off work this week and wasn't making much sense in my replies - truth be told, had a bit too much to drink because I didn't have to get up the next day. You're absolutely right. We're definitely the lucky ones! I discovered 'Bad Day At Black Rock' through the British film critic Barry Norman who often mentioned it as one of his favourite movies. |
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Post by petrolino on Nov 10, 2017 2:43:00 GMT
Paul Newman was a capable young actor around this time, for sure, but I'm sure he'd have been the first to proclaim nobody could outlclass the Bogie. It's not about class, it's about raw power and sexuality. In 1955, Paul Newman had it, Bogey didn't. You're absolutely right! I'm sure Paul Newman would have been terrific. |
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Post by them1ghtyhumph on Nov 10, 2017 5:19:27 GMT
I really like the remake because of the acting, but putting Mickey Rourke in a suit just makes it a different movie.
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Post by petrolino on Nov 10, 2017 17:36:12 GMT
I really like the remake because of the acting, but putting Mickey Rourke in a suit just makes it a different movie. I saw the remake first based on its director Michael Cimino. I was a movie-obsessed kid trying to see everything Cimino had directed and I liked his crime movie 'Year Of The Dragon' (1985) which also stars Mickey Rourke. Only years later did I get to see the William Wyler movie. |
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