TCM Schedule for Thursday, March 19 -- The Korda Brothers

[Staph]

Today TCM is featuring mystery and suspense films of the 1930s and early 1940s. Then this evening we return to the Korda Brothers, with a quintet of films directed by Zoltan Korda -- two that take place in India and three in Africa. Enjoy!


4:00am -- One For The Book (1947)
A lovelorn actress shares her apartment with a lonely soldier.
Cast: Eleanor Parker, Ronald Reagan, Eve Arden.
Dir: Irving Rapper.
BW-103 mins, TV-G

The film has not been shown on television under its original title (The Voice of the Turtle) for years. It is always shown under its reissue title, "One For the Book".


5:44am -- Short Film: One Reel Wonders: Sword Fishing (1939)
A group of fisherman, including Howard Hill, "the world's greatest archer," go in search of marlin off the California coast.
Narrator: Ronald Reagan
BW-10 mins

Nominated for an Oscar for Best Short Subject, One-reel

Howard Hill was the archery instructor on The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938).


6:00am -- Dark Victory (1939)
A flighty heiress discovers inner strength when she develops a brain tumor.
Cast: Bette Davis, George Brent, Humphrey Bogart, Geraldine Fitzgerald
Dir: Edmund Goulding
BW-104 mins, TV-PG

Nominated for Oscars for Best Actress in a Leading Role -- Bette Davis, Best Music, Original Score -- Max Steiner, and Best Picture

Bette Davis pestered Warner Brothers to buy the rights to the story, thinking it a great vehicle for her. WB studio chief Jack L. Warner fought against it, arguing that no one wanted to see someone go blind. Of course, the film went on to become one of the studio's biggest successes of that year.


7:45am -- Short Film: From The Vaults: Present With A Future: Bette Davis Christmas War Bonds Trailer (1943)
A mother explains to her children, Jenny and Billy, why they received war bonds as Christmas presents.
Cast: Bette Davis, Patti Hale
Dir: Vincent Sherman
BW-2 mins

Patti Hale (also known as Diane Hale) played the character of Hildy in two Flicka films, My Friend Flicka (1943) and Thunderhead - Son of Flicka (1945).


8:00am -- Million Dollar Baby (1941)
A young innocent's surprise inheritance causes problems with her poor but proud boyfriend.
Cast: Priscilla Lane, Jeffrey Lynn, Ronald Reagan, May Robson
Dir: Curtis Bernhardt
BW-101 mins, TV-G

Priscilla Lane tested for Melanie Hamilton Wilkes and Jeffrey Lynn tested for Ashley Wilkes in Gone With The Wind (1939). In so far as I can tell, Ronald Reagan didn't audition for GWTW. Thank heavens!


9:45am -- Thirteen Women (1932)
A mysterious Eurasian tries to murder the 12 boarding school roommates who treated her like an outsider.
Cast: Irene Dunne, Ricardo Cortez, Jill Esmond, Myrna Loy
Dir: George Archainbaud
BW-60 mins, TV-PG

There are only 11 women in the movie, not 13. Two were cut to give more scenes to Irene Dunne, who had just had a hit at another studio. The twelfth and thirteenth women were played by Phyllis Cerf (later married to publishing magnate and game show panelist Bennett Cerf) and Betty Furness (actress, spokeswoman for Westinghouse appliances, NYC's Director of Consumer Affairs, and consumer affairs expert for The Today Show for 16 years).


11:00am -- Jewel Robbery (1932)
A jewel thief falls for a tycoon's wife in Vienna.
Cast: William Powell, Kay Francis, Helen Vinson, Hardie Albright
Dir: William Dieterle
BW-68 mins, TV-G

Based on the Broadway comedy Jewel Robbery (1932), written by Bertram Bloch, from the Hungarian of Ladislas Fodor, and directed and produced by Paul Streger. At the Booth Theatre: 13 Jan 1932 - Feb 1932.


12:15pm -- Pursuit (1935)
The reward in a kidnapping case attracts a variety of desperate characters.
Cast: Chester Morris, Sally Eilers, Scotty Beckett, Henry Travers
Dir: Edwin L. Marin
BW-61 mins, TV-G

Chester Morris is best remembered as Detective Horatio "Boston Blackie" Black in 14 entries in the movie series.


1:30pm -- Kind Lady (1935)
A con artist and his criminal colleagues move in on a trusting old lady.
Cast: Aline MacMahon, Basil Rathbone, Mary Carlisle, Frank Albertson
Dir: George B. Seitz
BW-76 mins, TV-G

Also known as House Of Menace.


2:49pm -- Short Film: One Reel Wonders: Dark Magic (1939)
Joseph A. Doakes goes into a magic shop and asks to see tricks that might interest him as an amateur magician.
Cast: Robert Benchley, Ruth Lee, John Scarne
Dir: Roy Rowland
BW-10 mins

John Scarne, regarded by magicians as one of the world's great card manipulators, doubled as Paul Newman's hands dealing cards in The Sting (1973).


3:00pm -- Night Must Fall (1937)
A charming young man worms his way into a wealthy woman's household, then reveals a deadly secret.
Cast: Merle Tottenham, Kathleen Harrison, Dame May Whitty, Rosalind Russell
Dir: Richard Thorpe
BW-116 mins, TV-PG

Nominated for Oscars for Best Actor in a Leading Role -- Robert Montgomery, and Best Actress in a Supporting Role -- Dame May Whitty

Based on the play by Emlyn Williams, remade six times, including the delightfully named Knights Must Fall (1949), starring Bugs Bunny.


5:00pm -- London By Night (1937)
A blackmailer holds the key to several murders.
Cast: George Murphy, Rita Johnson, Virginia Field, Leo G. Carroll
Dir: William Thiele
BW-69 mins, TV-PG

Based on Will Scott's play, "The Umbrella," which was unpublished and possibly never performed theatrically.


6:15pm -- Larceny, Inc. (1942)
An ex-convict and his gang try to use a luggage store to front a bank robbery, but business keeps getting in the way.
Cast: Edward G. Robinson, Jane Wyman, Broderick Crawford, Jack Carson
Dir: Lloyd Bacon
BW-95 mins, TV-PG

The play opened in New York City, New York, USA on 10 April 1941 and closed 27 April 1941 after 22
performances. The opening cast included Shelley Winters.


What's On Tonight: TCM SPOTLIGHT: THE KORDA BROTHERS


8:00pm -- Drums (1938)
An Indian prince tries to save his British masters from a deadly revolt.
Cast: Sabu, Raymond Massey, Roger Livesey, Valerie Hobson
Dir: Zoltan Korda
BW-94 mins, TV-G

A one time Hungarian cavalry officer, Zoltan Korda started working in films as a cameraman then an editor before becoming a director with London Films run by his brother Alexander Korda. Zoltan had strong liberal/socialist ideals and often clashed with Alexander, who, despite their both being born in Hungary, was a proud supporter of the old British Empire.


9:38pm -- Short Film: One Reel Wonders: India On Parade (1937)
In this "Traveltalk," we learn about the landmarks, people and customs of India.
Cast: James A. FitzPatrick
C-9 mins

The song heard at the end of the film is 'Pale Hands Beside The Shalimar' - once upon a time reputed to be the favorite of silent screen idol Rudolph Valentino. His recording of it (not heard here) is the only sample of his voice in existence.


9:51pm -- Short Film: One Reel Wonders: Colorful Bombay (1937)
In this "Traveltalk," we learn about the history, people, and landscapes of Bombay.
Cast: James A. FitzPatrick
C-8 mins

According to Wikipedia's entry on Mumbai -- "The former name Bombay had its origins in the 16th century when the Portuguese arrived in the area and called it by various names, which finally took the written form Bombaim, still common in current Portuguese use. After the British gained possession in the 17th century, it was anglicised to Bombay, although it was known as Mumbai or Mambai to Marathi and Gujarati-speakers, and as Bambai in Hindi, Persian and Urdu. It is sometimes still referred to by its older names, like Kakamuchee and Galajunkja. The name was officially changed to its Marathi pronunciation of Mumbai in 1996."


10:00pm -- The Jungle Book (1942)
A boy raised by wolves adjusts to life among humans.
Cast: Sabu, Joseph Calleia, John Qualen, Frank Puglia
Dir: Zoltan Korda
C-102 mins, TV-G

Nominated for Oscars for Best Art Direction-Interior Decoration, Color -- Vincent Korda and Julia Heron, Best Cinematography, Color -- W. Howard Greene, Best Effects, Special Effects -- Lawrence W. Butler (photographic) and William A. Wilmarth (sound), and Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture -- Miklós Rózsa

Sabu was discovered at age twelve by a British film crew searching for a youth to play the title role in an upcoming film, Elephant Boy (1937). Quite taken aback by his earnest looks, engaging naturalness and adaptability to wild animals and their natural habitat, the studio handed the boy a film career on a sterling silver platter and was placed under exclusive contract by the mogul Alexander Korda himself.

Sabu and his older brother (as guardian) were whisked away to England to complete the picture and became subsequent wards of the British government. They were given excellent schooling in the process and Sabu quickly learned the English language in preparation for his upcoming films.


11:45pm -- Short Film: One Reel Wonders: Ancient India (1952)
This travel short provides an insight into the ancient world of India, including its origins, customs, lifestyle and architecture. Specifically explored are the ancient cities of Bundi and Jaipur in the Northwest corner of the country. Visits to the palatial estates of the maharajas of these two cities are also included.
Cast: James A. FitzPatrick
C-9 mins

Rajasthan is the largest state in size in the Republic of India. Its capital is Jaipur, and Bundi is one of the larger cities in the state.


12:00am -- The Four Feathers (1939)
A disgraced officer risks his life to help his childhood friends in battle.
Cast: John Clements, Ralph Richardson, C. Aubrey Smith, June Duprez
Dir: Zoltan Korda
C-115 mins, TV-PG

Nominated for an Oscar for Best Cinematography, Color -- Georges Périnal and Osmond Borradaile

Made and remade many times, in 1915 starring Howard Estabrook as Faversham, in 1921 starring Harry Ham, in 1929 starring Richard Arlen, in 1952 (as Storm Over the Nile) starring Anthony Steel (and also directed by Zoltan Korda), in 1977 starring Beau Bridges, and in 2002 starring Heath Ledger.


2:00am -- Cry, the Beloved Country (1952)
A South African minister travels to Johannesburg to find his missing son.
Cast: Sidney Poitier, Canada Lee, Charles Carson, Michael Goodlife
Dir: Zoltan Korda
BW-108 mins

The film was shot in South Africa. Since the country was ruled by strict apartheid (enforced racial separation) laws, stars Sidney Poitier and Canada Lee and producer/director Zoltan Korda cooked up a scheme where they told the South African immigration authorities that Poitier and Lee were not actors but were Korda's indentured servants; otherwise, the two black actors and the white director would not have been allowed to associate with each other while they were in the country.


4:00am -- Sahara (1943)
An international platoon fights off Nazis in World War II Africa.
Cast: Humphrey Bogart, Bruce Bennett, J. Carroll Naish, Lloyd Bridges
Dir: Zoltan Korda
BW-98 mins, TV-PG

Nominated for Oscars for Best Actor in a Supporting Role -- J. Carrol Naish, Best Cinematography, Black-and-White -- Rudolph Maté, and Best Sound, Recording -- John P. Livadary (Columbia SSD)

Based upon the Soviet film Trinadtsat (1937) directed by Mikhail Romm.

[Staph]

1. The Four Feathers (1939)

Easily the best of several film versions of A. E. W. Mason's rousing novel of redemption set during the height of British Imperialism, The Four Feathers (1939) is also considered one of the great triumphs of Hungarian producer Alexander Korda, and consequently, of all British cinema. Aside from the widely hailed color cinematography, location filming, and thrilling action scenes, this version of The Four Feathers is also remembered for career-defining performances by several important British actors, including Ralph Richardson and C. Aubrey Smith.

We meet our protagonist, Harry Faversham, as a boy of 15. In 1885, he is at the table while his father, a retired General (Allan Jeayes) entertains a group of war comrades. The news has reached England that the British Army in Khartoum has been defeated and General Gordon is dead. The boy is clearly horrified by the grisly war stories. Ten years later, the adult Harry Faversham (John Clements) is trying to live up to his family's long military tradition, and has become an officer of the British army. He is part of a regiment that is due to depart for Egypt to combat the Sudanese rebellion. Harry is engaged to Ethne Burroughs (June Duprez), daughter of the distinguished General Burroughs (C. Aubrey Smith), a great friend of Harry's father. On the eve of the company's departure, Harry suddenly resigns his commission. He is explaining his position to his fiancee when he is delivered a package containing three white feathers, one each from his three friends and fellow officers: Durrance (Ralph Richardson),
Willoughby (Jack Allan), and Burroughs (Donald Gray). Seeing the disappointment on Ethne's face, he adds a fourth feather. Faversham determines to redeem himself by traveling to Egypt, disguising himself as an Arab, and infiltrating the Dervishes and secretly aiding his comrades. This he does in spectacular fashion, saving the life of Durrance and mounting a daring prison escape for many others.

The Four Feathers is unabashed in its glorification of The Empire, and like their previous films Elephant Boy (1937) and The Drum (1938), it was a family affair for the Korda brothers. Zoltan Korda directed the picture and Vincent Korda provided Art Direction, while Alexander oversaw the entire endeavor for London Film Productions. The Technicolor cinematography, hailed as the most naturalistic to that point, was credited to Georges Perinal, though additional photography was by Osmond Borradaile and Robert Krasker. Borradaile and Zoltan Korda shot most of the exterior scenes for The Four Feathers on location in the Sudan, resulting in stunning images. The footage was striking enough that it was often reused as stock footage, appearing in such later films as Zarak (1956), Master of the World (1961), and East of Sudan (1964), a film about the original Khartoum uprising.

In the biography Alexander Korda: The Man Who Could Work Miracles, Karol Kulik explains that the Korda brothers turned to Empire-themed films due to "Zoltan's love of exotic adventure stories and of native populations" and because Alex, as an ex-colonial official, "...never really gave up the British Empire nor his romantic and patriotic notion of the ?British' way of handling a situation." All three brothers working on the same film could prove to be a touchy situation, however. "When things went wrong," Kulik explains, "when the inevitable disagreements appeared, volatile outbursts and enthusiastic reconciliations were sure to result. All three spoke English idiosyncratically, and their language was well peppered with appropriate or inappropriate expletives."

The performances in The Four Feathers were highly praised; while stage actor and director John Clements proves sympathetic in a difficult role, the greatest kudos were reserved for Ralph Richardson as Durrance; the scenes in which Durrance overcomes the blindness caused by exposure to the desert sun are unforgettable. Also standing out is C. Aubrey Smith, whose General Burroughs defined a classic stock character: the blustery retired British military man.

Alexander Korda employed several military advisors on The Four Feathers to ensure historical accuracy of the period. He did not, however, allow such accuracy to interfere with showmanship. Lead actor John Clements, interviewed by Kulik, recalled shooting a scene where he and Ralph Richardson were costumed as officers attending a ball in a private residence. Uniformed by the best Savile Row tailors, the advisors correctly instructed that the uniforms be blue. Korda reached the set and said, "...'what is this blue uniform?' And the military colonel, or whatever he was, said, "But that's correct. This is a private house, not in the mess." "But this is Technicolor!!" said, and the whole thing was changed and we were all dressed in red uniforms.'"

A. E. W. Mason's novel The Four Feathers has proven to be an ever-popular movie property, oft-filmed on both sides of the Atlantic. There were three versions in the silent era, beginning with an American version in 1915, followed by a British film in 1921. The third was also one of the last major studio silent productions, a lavish Merian C. Cooper film for Paramount Pictures in 1929. Co-directed by Lothar Mendes and Ernest B. Schoedsack, this version featured Richard Arlen as Harry Faversham, Fay Wray as Ethne, and Clive Brook as Lt. Durrance. The directing credit for the 1955 version of the story, Storm Over the Nile, was split between Terence Young and Zoltan Korda. The London Films production was a near shot-for-shot remake utilizing the R. C. Sherriff screenplay as well and large chucks of the 1939 film, including most of the final battle sequence. The film starred Anthony Steel as Faversham and Laurence Harvey as Durrance. A television adaptation followed in 1977. The latest theatrical version, directed by Shekhar Kapur in 2002, gives more of a voice to Faversham's Sudanese guide, but is otherwise not the revisionist take on the story that many expected.

Producer: Alexander Korda
Associate Producer: Irving Asher
Director: Zoltan Korda
Screenplay: R. C. Sherriff, based on the novel by A. E. W. Mason
Cinematography: Georges Perinal
Film Editing: Henry Cornelius
Production Design: Vincent Korda
Costume Design: Godfrey Brennan, Rene Hubert
Musical Director: Muir Mathieson
Cast: John Clements (Harry Faversham), Ralph Richardson (Captain John Durrance), C. Aubrey Smith (General Burroughs), Jane Duprez (Ethne Burroughs), Allan Jeayes (General Faversham), Jack Allen (Lieutenant Willoughby), Donald Gray (Peter Burroughs), Frederick Culley (Dr. Sutton), Clive Baxter (Young Harry Faversham).
C-130m.

by John M. Miller