Thunder in the East (1951 film)
Thunder in the East | |
---|---|
Black and white | |
Production company | Paramount Pictures |
Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 97 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Box office | $2 million (US)[1] |
Thunder in the East is a 1952 American war film released by Paramount Pictures, and directed by Charles Vidor. It was based on the 1948 novel The Rage of the Vulture by Alan Moorehead; the book title was the working title of the film.[2]
Plot
The film is set in 1947 after India had gained its independence from Britain. Steve Gibbs (
During his stay at a local hotel Steve is courted by a French adventuress (
Stuck with his cargo of 20
Tension builds when a bus load of fleeing Anglo-Indian women and children have been ambushed and murdered. Irritated by the smugness of the Anglo-Indians, Steve charges an exorbitant rate to fly them to safety, leading Joan to despise Steve for his mercenary principles. Newah Khan's army lays siege to the capital with the Maharaja and all of the local populace escaping leaving the Prime Minister who refuses to use Steve's weapons, Steve and the Anglo-Indians to their fate in the deserted palace.
Cast
- Alan Ladd as Steve Gibbs
- Deborah Kerr as Joan Willoughby
- Charles Boyer as Prime Minister Singh
- Corinne Calvet as Lizette Damon
- Cecil Kellaway as Vicar Willoughby
- Marc Cavell as Moti Lal
- John Abbottas Nitra Puta
- Philip Bourneuf as Newah Khan
- John Williams as General Sir Henry Harrison
- Charles Lung as Maharajah
- Leonora Hornblow as Tayhi, Joan's Maid
- Leonard Carey as Dr. Paling
- Nelson Welch as Norton
- Queenie Leonard as Miss Huggins
- George J. Lewis as The Bartender
- Aram Katcher as Servant
- John Davidson as The Hotel Clerk
- Trevor Ward as Mr. Darcy Thompson
- Bruce Payne as Harpoole
- Jill St. John as an English Girl (uncredited)
Production
The film was based on war correspondent Alan Moorehead's debut novel The Rage of the Vulture, published in 1948.[3] Moorehead got the idea for the novel after travelling through India in 1947.[4][5]
The film rights were bought by Charles Vidor who sold them on to Paramount with himself as director. Alan Ladd was assigned to star with Robert Fellows to produce.[6] Filming was postponed, however, so that Ladd could make Red Mountain.[7] This meant Fellows dropped out and Everett Riskin became producer.[8] "We have a tremendously large cast, fine settings as well as a splendid story", said Riskin.[9]
Luther David was borrowed from MGM to write the script; then it was rewritten by Jo Swerling. Riskin was anxious to avoid offence to the British and Indians, and the novel was significantly altered.[10]
Shooting started on 26 March 1951.
Music
The film's score was by Hugo Friedhofer.
Jay Livingstone and Ray Evans wrote a tie-in song for the film The Ruby and the Pearl that was recorded by Nat King Cole and others.[13]
Release
The release of the movie was delayed until 1953, in part because Alan Ladd had decided to leave Paramount and the studio wanted to spread out release of his final films for them.[14]
References
- ^ 'The Top Box Office Hits of 1953', Variety, January 13, 1954
- ^ "Thunder in the East".
- ^ "NEW NOVELS" Fausset, Hugh I A. The Manchester Guardian 8 Oct 1948: 3
- ^ "Books – Authors" New York Times 19 Oct 1948: 25
- ^ "NEW FICTION". The Sydney Morning Herald. National Library of Australia. 21 May 1949. p. 8. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
- ^ "WALD AND KRASNA PLAN EIGHT MOVIES: New RKO. Producing Team Developing Own Film Stories Under Deal at Studio Of Local Origin" THOMAS F. BRADY New York Times 16 Aug 1950: 25
- ^ "Trevor Howard Signed for Allen Film; Ladd Again Hero of Outdoors" Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 27 Sep 1950: 19
- ^ "JACKSON WINS SUIT AGAINST UNIVERSAL: California High Court Affirms Award of $17,000 in Case Involving Use of a Title Of Local Origin" by THOMAS F. BRADY New York Times 03 Oct 1950: 34
- ^ "Ladd, Producers Find New Horizons" Los Angeles Times 6 May 1951: E3
- ^ "HOLLYWOOD REACTS: Employment of Dmytryk Calls Attention To Others Involved in Red Hearings Back to Work Red Slant Touchy Tokyo Interests" by THOMAS F. BRADY. New York Times 20 May 1951: X5
- ^ "FOX PLANS MOVIE OF 'GUN AND CROSS': Story Concerns Priest and a Western Badman in 1840s – Taylor to Produce" by THOMAS F. BRADY New York Times 02 Feb 1951: 32
- ^ "Drama: 'Walk East on Beacon' Next George Murphy; Randy Stuart Returns" Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times 01 Sep 1951: 7
- ^ "The Ray & Wyn Ritchie Evans Foundation | the official website of Ray Evans, American songwriter, Livingston and Evans, Music, Archives, Films".
- ^ "PARAMOUNT SIGNS LADD TO NEW PACT: Studio and Actor Arrange for Deal Whereby He Will Make One Film a Year on Lot" by THOMAS M. PRYOR New York Times 29 Feb 1952: 19
External links
- Thunder in the East at IMDb
- Thunder in the East at AllMovie
- Thunder in the East at the TCM Movie Database
- Thunder in the East at the better source needed]