Rumble on the Docks

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Rumble on the Docks
Clover Productions
Distributed byColumbia Pictures
Release date
  • December 1956 (1956-12)
Running time
82 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Rumble on the Docks is a 1956 American

Michael Granger and Robert Blake.[1] The film was based on the novel of the same title by Frank Paley. It was produced by Sam Katzman for release by Columbia Pictures
.

Plot

Jimmy Smigelski, living near the docks of

Brooklyn
, is quick to help when a neighborhood girl, Della, and her little brother are menaced by some thugs. Joe Brindo, a racketeer Jimmy's honest father Pete blames for an incident that crippled him, is impressed by Jimmy and takes him under his wing.

Jimmy is caught in a rivalry between two local gangs. He also is asked to testify at a trial, angering his father when the outcome benefits the gangster. Jimmy eventually changes his ways and ends up working in his father's print shop.

Cast

  • James Darren as Jimmy Smigelski
  • Laurie Carroll as Della
  • Michael Granger
    as Joe Brindo
  • Jerry Janger as Rocky
  • Robert Blake as Chuck
  • Edgar Barrier as Pete Smigelski
  • Celia Lovsky as Anna Smigelski
  • David Bond as Dan Kevlin
  • Timothy Carey as Frank Mangus
  • Dan Terranova as 'Stomper' Tony Lightning
  • Barry Froner as Poochie
  • Don Devlin as Wimpy
  • Stephen H. Sears as Cliffie
  • Joseph Vitale as Ferd Marchesi
  • David Orrick McDearmon as Lawyer Gotham (as David Orrick)
  • Larry J. Blake as Officer Fitz
  • Robert C. Ross as Gil Danco
  • Steve Warren as Sully
  • Don Garrett as Bo-Bo
  • Joel Ashley as Dist. Atty. Fuller
  • Salvatore Anthony as Kid with Wallet
  • Freddie Bell as Himself, Freddie Bell (as Freddie Bell and His Bellboys)
  • The Bellboys as Themselves, The Bellboys (as Freddie Bell and His Bellboys)

Production

The film was based on the eponymous 1953 novel by "Frank Paley", a social worker writing under a pseudonym.[2] The New York Times thought "Mr Paley's narrative powers are not up to his descriptive ones."[3]

Sam Katzman bought the film rights in 1955.[4]

The lead role was given to James Darren, who had recently been signed to a long-term contract by Columbia. It was his first movie.[5] Katzman also introduced newcomers Laurie Carroll and Sal Anthony.[6] Carroll was discovered by Katzman when she appeared on The Johnny Carson Show.

Filming started 18 June 1956.[7]

Release

James Darren later said of the movie, "Fred Sears was a wonderful director. That really was my first break because I started getting 400-500 letters a month from that film. You're not talking about a major film here. So, that kind of put me on a different level at the studio and they took notice."[8]

References

  1. ^ "Rumble on the Docks (1956) – Articles – TCM.com". Turner Classic Movies.
  2. ^ HARVEY BREIT (July 12, 1953). "IN AND OUT OF BOOKS". New York Times. p. BR8.
  3. ^ "Mistaken Loyalties: RUMBLE ON THE DOCKS. By Frank Paley. 367 pp. New York: Crown Publishers. $3.75." Whitman, Alden. New York Times 3 Jan 1954: BR24.
  4. ^ THOMAS M. PRYOR (Nov 16, 1955). "NEW FILM PROCESS IS SHOWN BY FOX: 55-mm. CinemaScope Scenes From 'Carousel' Have More Depth, Striking Brilliance". New York Times. p. 43.
  5. ^ OSCAR GODBOUT (July 4, 1956). "KIM NOVAK IS CAST AS JEANNE EAGELS: Will Portray Title Figure of Famous Actress in Film for Columbia Pictures Seltzers Plan 'Mr.Tex'". New York Times. p. 14.
  6. ^ Schallert, Edwin (July 10, 1956). "Drama: Rex and Rhodes Reason Both Strike New Paths; Paris Bids for Menjou". Los Angeles Times. p. A9.
  7. ^ "Of Local Origin". New York Times. May 29, 1956. p. 32.
  8. ^ Productions, Pore-Lee-Dunn. "Interview With James Darren". www.classicbands.com.

External links