The Long Haul (1957 film): Difference between revisions

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==Production==
==Production==
The film was based on the novel by Mervyn Mills which was published in 1956. It was Mills' first novel. According to his obituary, the novel "stemmed from his journeys through early post-war Britain on a moped, before the advent of the motorways, when he absorbed, on the Great North Road, something of the lives of the long-distance lorry drivers, their roadside cafes and the people, often women, who frequented them. The book was turned down by 12 publishers before being accepted by the 13th, and even then Mills had to fight for his artistic integrity with the director and general editor, [[Lovat Dickson]], to retain the more colourful passages. After so many rejections, this took courage."<ref>Obituary: Mervyn Mills: [FOREIGN Edition]
⚫
The film was made by Todon Productions, the film company of Tony Owen and Donna Reed, run by Maxwel Seton. In July 1956 they signed [[Diana Dors]] to play the lead.<ref>Whole Town Fights Over British Charmer
Barker, Ralph. The Independent1 June 2000: 6. </ref> The ''Irish Times'' called it "an exciting and unusually vivid book."<ref>CLEVER BUT IRRITATING
Parsons, Louella. The Washington Post and Times Herald 11 July 1956: 20. </ref>
A R. The Irish Times 14 Apr 1956: 8</ref>


⚫
Film rights were bought by Todon Productions, the film company of [[Tony Owen]] and [[Donna Reed]], run by [[Maxwell Seton]]. Ken Hughes, who had made films for them before, signed to write and direct. In July 1956 [[Diana Dors]] agreed to play the female lead.<ref>Whole Town Fights Over British Charmer
⚫
The filmmakers tried to get [[Raymond Burr]] to play a role.<ref>George Nader to Star With Borchers; 'Bombay Meeting' New Venture
Parsons, Louella. The Washington Post and Times Herald 11 July 1956: 20. </ref> Like many Todon films, it was distributed through Columbia. The production would be credited to Seton's company, Marksman Films.<ref>A TOWN CALLED HOLLYWOOD: Studio Has 4 McGowans, Not to Mention a Megowan
Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 15 Feb 1957: 21</ref> Filming took place in London in March 1957.<ref>FILM EVENTS: Fuller Set for Movie, TV Series
Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 05 Mar 1957: A9.</ref>
Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times 26 Aug 1956: D2. </ref>


[[Robert Mitchum]] was originally announced as the male star.<ref>Diana Dors Isn't Homesick; She's Set for Film in Britain
Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune I29 Sep 1956: 22. </ref> In January 1957 Victor Mature signed.<ref>Looking at Hollywood: Vic Mature to Make Film in London with Diana Dors
Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune 25 Jan 1957: b8. </ref> Maturev had just made three films in England for Warwick Productions, who also distributed through Colubma: ''Zarak'', ''Safari'' and ''Interpol''. Mature had driven trucks for his father's business when younger.<ref>Round the British Studios
Nepean, Edith. Picture Show; London Vol. 68, Iss. 1786, (Jun 22, 1957): 11. </ref>

⚫
Setton tried to get [[Raymond Burr]] to support Mature and Dors but was unable to.<ref>George Nader to Star With Borchers; 'Bombay Meeting' New Venture
Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times (1923-1995); Los Angeles, Calif. [Los Angeles, Calif]15 Feb 1957: 21. </ref> A lead role was played by newcomer Patrick Allen who Setton signed to a three picture contract over three years.<ref>Gossip
Filmer, Fay. Picture Show; London Vol. 1777, Iss. 68, (Apr 20, 1957): 3-4.</ref>

Filming took place in April-June 1957, at British Lion studios in Sheppeerton.<ref>Gossip
Filmer, Fay. Picture Show; London Vol. 68, Iss. 1778, (Apr 27, 1957): 3-4, 13. </ref>
==Critical reception==
==Critical reception==
[[Leonard Maltin]] dismissed the film as "Minor fare";<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/27650/The-Long-Haul/|title=The Long Haul (1957) - Overview - TCM.com|publisher=}}</ref> whereas [[DVD Talk]] commended a "Completely satisfying British B-noir. Sure the story is familiar, but it's handled with cold, professional skill. The performers are perfectly cast here. I'm highly recommending ''The Long Haul''."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/60698/long-haul-sony-choice-collection-the/|title=The Long Haul (Sony Choice Collection)|publisher=}}</ref>
[[Leonard Maltin]] dismissed the film as "Minor fare";<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/27650/The-Long-Haul/|title=The Long Haul (1957) - Overview - TCM.com|publisher=}}</ref> whereas [[DVD Talk]] commended a "Completely satisfying British B-noir. Sure the story is familiar, but it's handled with cold, professional skill. The performers are perfectly cast here. I'm highly recommending ''The Long Haul''."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/60698/long-haul-sony-choice-collection-the/|title=The Long Haul (Sony Choice Collection)|publisher=}}</ref>
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*{{IMDb title|0050653}}
*{{IMDb title|0050653}}
*{{Allmovie title|29926}}
*{{Allmovie title|29926}}
*[https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6af22160 ''The Long Haul''] at BFI

{{Ken Hughes}}
{{Ken Hughes}}
{{Irving Allen}}
{{Irving Allen}}

Revision as of 01:36, 2 January 2019

The Long Haul
Theatrical release poster
Directed byKen Hughes
Written byKen Hughes
Produced byMaxwell Setton
StarringVictor Mature
Diana Dors
Patrick Allen
Gene Anderson
CinematographyBasil Emmott
Edited byRaymond Poulton
Music byTrevor Duncan
Production
company
Marksman Films
Distributed byColumbia Pictures
Release dates
  • 27 August 1957 (1957-08-27) (UK)
  • December 1957 (1957-12) (US)
Running time
100 mins.
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

The Long Haul is a 1957 British drama film directed by Ken Hughes and starring Victor Mature, Patrick Allen and Diana Dors.[2]

Plot summary

An American ex-serviceman leaves Allied-occupied Germany after WWII and is persuaded by his English wife to settle in Liverpool' Looking for work, he becomes a lorry driver. He comes into contact with criminals involved in theft from commercial vehicles and draws close to the girlfriend of a major crime figure.

Cast

Production

The film was based on the novel by Mervyn Mills which was published in 1956. It was Mills' first novel. According to his obituary, the novel "stemmed from his journeys through early post-war Britain on a moped, before the advent of the motorways, when he absorbed, on the Great North Road, something of the lives of the long-distance lorry drivers, their roadside cafes and the people, often women, who frequented them. The book was turned down by 12 publishers before being accepted by the 13th, and even then Mills had to fight for his artistic integrity with the director and general editor, Lovat Dickson, to retain the more colourful passages. After so many rejections, this took courage."[3] The Irish Times called it "an exciting and unusually vivid book."[4]

Film rights were bought by Todon Productions, the film company of Tony Owen and Donna Reed, run by Maxwell Seton. Ken Hughes, who had made films for them before, signed to write and direct. In July 1956 Diana Dors agreed to play the female lead.[5] Like many Todon films, it was distributed through Columbia. The production would be credited to Seton's company, Marksman Films.[6]

Robert Mitchum was originally announced as the male star.[7] In January 1957 Victor Mature signed.[8] Maturev had just made three films in England for Warwick Productions, who also distributed through Colubma: Zarak, Safari and Interpol. Mature had driven trucks for his father's business when younger.[9]

Setton tried to get Raymond Burr to support Mature and Dors but was unable to.[10] A lead role was played by newcomer Patrick Allen who Setton signed to a three picture contract over three years.[11]

Filming took place in April-June 1957, at British Lion studios in Sheppeerton.[12]

Critical reception

Leonard Maltin dismissed the film as "Minor fare";[13] whereas DVD Talk commended a "Completely satisfying British B-noir. Sure the story is familiar, but it's handled with cold, professional skill. The performers are perfectly cast here. I'm highly recommending The Long Haul."[14]

See also

References

  1. ^ Goble, Alan (1 January 1999). "The Complete Index to Literary Sources in Film". Walter de Gruyter – via Google Books.
  2. ^ "The Long Haul (1957)".
  3. ^ Obituary: Mervyn Mills: [FOREIGN Edition] Barker, Ralph. The Independent1 June 2000: 6.
  4. ^ CLEVER BUT IRRITATING A R. The Irish Times 14 Apr 1956: 8
  5. ^ Whole Town Fights Over British Charmer Parsons, Louella. The Washington Post and Times Herald 11 July 1956: 20.
  6. ^ A TOWN CALLED HOLLYWOOD: Studio Has 4 McGowans, Not to Mention a Megowan Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times 26 Aug 1956: D2.
  7. ^ Diana Dors Isn't Homesick; She's Set for Film in Britain Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune I29 Sep 1956: 22.
  8. ^ Looking at Hollywood: Vic Mature to Make Film in London with Diana Dors Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune 25 Jan 1957: b8.
  9. ^ Round the British Studios Nepean, Edith. Picture Show; London Vol. 68, Iss. 1786, (Jun 22, 1957): 11.
  10. ^ George Nader to Star With Borchers; 'Bombay Meeting' New Venture Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times (1923-1995); Los Angeles, Calif. [Los Angeles, Calif]15 Feb 1957: 21.
  11. ^ Gossip Filmer, Fay. Picture Show; London Vol. 1777, Iss. 68, (Apr 20, 1957): 3-4.
  12. ^ Gossip Filmer, Fay. Picture Show; London Vol. 68, Iss. 1778, (Apr 27, 1957): 3-4, 13.
  13. ^ "The Long Haul (1957) - Overview - TCM.com".
  14. ^ "The Long Haul (Sony Choice Collection)".

External links


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