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| director = [[Philip Dunne (writer)|Philip Dunne]]
| director = [[Philip Dunne (writer)|Philip Dunne]]
| producer = [[Mark Robson]]
| producer = [[Mark Robson]]
| writer = [[Nelson Gidding]] (writer)
| writer = [[Nelson Gidding]]
| based on = {{based on|''The Inspector'' 1960 novel|[[Jan de Hartog]]}}<ref>http://www.goodreads.com/author/list/54379.Jan_de_Hartog?utf8=%E2%9C%93&sort=title</ref><ref>https://books.google.com/books/about/The_inspector.html?id=60xKAAAAMAAJ</ref>
| based on = {{based on|''The Inspector'' 1960 novel|[[Jan de Hartog]]}}<ref>http://www.goodreads.com/author/list/54379.Jan_de_Hartog?utf8=%E2%9C%93&sort=title</ref><ref>https://books.google.com/books/about/The_inspector.html?id=60xKAAAAMAAJ</ref>
| narrator =
| narrator =
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The conclusion of this epic was filmed at Three Cliffs Bay on the Gower Peninsula in South Wales, UK. It is suggested that one of the film crew spotted the location during the World War II when flying overhead in his aircraft.
The conclusion of this epic was filmed at Three Cliffs Bay on the Gower Peninsula in South Wales, UK. It is suggested that one of the film crew spotted the location during the World War II when flying overhead in his aircraft.
==Original Novel==
The film was based on the novel ''The Inspector'' by Jan De Hartog, published in 1960. It was the first novel published by the new publishing house, [[Atheneum Publishing]].<ref>3 OLD FRIENDS UNDER A NEW BANNER Hanson, Harry. Chicago Daily Tribune 5 June 1960: c11. </ref>


The ''New York Times'' called it "a sober and touching novel of the human condition."<ref>Not in the Line of Duty: THE INSPECTOR. By Jan de Hartog By ANTHONY BOUCHER. New York Times 26 June 1960: BR4. </ref> The ''Chicago Tribune'' called it "haunting".<ref>Pursuit, Suspense, and a Theme of Compassion
Butcher, Fanny. Chicago Daily Tribune 26 June 1960: c3. </ref>
===Development===
Film rights were bought by [[20th Century Fox]] in October 1960. They assigned [[Nelson Gidding]] to do a script and [[Mark Robson]] to produce and direct.<ref>New Company Will Spend $8.5 Million: Robson Directs 'Inspector'; Dana Wynter Will Join Kaye
Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times 7 Oct 1960: A9. </ref>

In the novel, the male hero was a middle aged man haunted by the death of his Jewish fiance. The script adaptation made it more of a romance between the man (now younger) and the woman.<ref>There's Nothing Like a Best Seller to Set Hollywood a-Tingle: There's Nothing Like a Best Seller
By MURRAY SCHUMACH. New York Times 16 Sep 1962: 352. </ref>

In March 1961 [[Natalie Wood]] signed to play the lead.<ref>Natalie Wood to Portray a Girl Trapped by Nazis
Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune 17 Mar 1961: b12. </ref> She dropped out and Robson cast Stephen Boyd and Dolores Hart - both under long term contracts to Fox. They had recently acted in "To the Sound of Trumpets" for ''[[Playhouse 90]]''.<ref>TV: Drama in World War I Setting: ' To Sound of Trumpets' on 'Playhouse 90' By JACK GOULD. New York Times 10 Feb 1960: 75. </ref>

Robson ultimately decided not to direct and hired Phillip Dunne. Robson said, "Being just a producer, I don't seem to be working. I feel as though I dropped two-thirds of the job. If ever I had any doubts about it, this experience proves that directing a movie is unquestionably more important than producing it."<ref name="robson">ROBSON SADDENED BY STAY IN EUROPE: Regrets Attitude of Actors and Yielding Directorship
By MURRAY SCHUMACH Special to The New York Times. New York Times 26 June 1961: 22.</ref>

It was Dunne's 25th year of working at Fox.<ref>Piped Theater TV Called Death Knell: Philip Dunne Survives 25 Years of Shake-ups at Fox
Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times 5 Mar 1962: C15. </ref>
===Shooting===
Filming started in England in mid 1961. Robson chose not to be present during the shoot. In June 1961 he said, "As to how the picture is to be made, I naturally have to bow to my director's artistic judgement. Until now it was been a community effort. Now I feel shut out of the project. When I last saw the actors I talked to them of the responsibility of actors to directors. For me, it was a terribly sad farewell, a sort of farewell address. It is terribly important for a producer to watch himself to avoid intruding on a director's prerogatives. I am determined I won't do it."<ref name="robson"/>

The film was going to be shot on location in Tangier. However due to political instability there, and insistence of the Moroccan government that the country only be filmed in a certain way, it was decided to film these scenes at Elstree Studios in London.<ref>Youth Group Busy, on 'Weekend Pass': Berlin Suits Plague Actress; Robson Builds Own Morocco
Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times 15 Aug 1961: C7. </ref> There was location filming in Amsterdam.<ref>OBSERVATIONS ON THE BUSTLING BRITISH SCREEN SCENE
By STEPHEN WATTS LONDON. New York Times 17 Sep 1961: X9. </ref>

In April 1962 the film's title was changed from ''The Inspector'' to ''Lisa''.<ref>FILMLAND EVENTS: Peter Howard Named as Brigitte's Co-star
Los Angeles Times 13 Apr 1962: C14. </ref>
==Reception==
The ''Los Angeles Times'' called the film "sluggish, tepid."<ref>'Lisa' Not Like Book; It's Sluggish, Tepid Harford, Margaret. Los Angeles Times 23 June 1962: 16. </ref>
==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

Revision as of 21:22, 15 January 2019

The Inspector
Lisa
Theatrical release poster
Directed byPhilip Dunne
Written byNelson Gidding
Produced byMark Robson
StarringStephen Boyd
Dolores Hart
Leo McKern
CinematographyArthur Ibbetson, BSC
Edited byErnest Walter
Music byMalcolm Arnold
Production
company
Red Lion Films
Distributed byTwentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation
Release date
May 24, 1962 (1962-05-24)
Running time
112 min.
CountriesUnited Kingdom
United States
LanguageEnglish

The Inspector (a.k.a. Lisa) is a 1962 CinemaScope DeLuxe Color British-American drama film directed by Philip Dunne, starring Stephen Boyd and Dolores Hart. Hart plays Lisa Held, a Dutch-Jewish girl who has survived the horror of Auschwitz concentration camp.

Plot

In 1946 Holland, Lisa Held (Dolores Hart), a survivor of the Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II, has fallen prey to ex-Nazi Thorens (Marius Goring), who has promised to smuggle her into Palestine. In reality, Thorens is a white slaver who plans to send Lisa to South America. Unbeknownst to both Lisa and Thorens, they are being trailed by Dutch Inspectors Peter Jongman (Stephen Boyd) and Sergeant Wolters (Donald Pleasence). Jongman carries with him the guilt of not having saved his Jewish fiancée from death at the hands of the Nazis during the war. Jongman follows Lisa and Thorens to London, where Jongman meets with Thorens to discuss Lisa’s situation. During their encounter, Jongman strikes Thorens, who accidentally falls into an SS dagger and dies. Jongman leaves, unaware of Thorens’ death, and thinks Thorens only has passed out from the blow.

Upon returning to Amsterdam with Lisa, Jongman visits his mother (Jean Anderson) and sister (Jane Jordan Rogers). Jongman’s mother initially believes Lisa is taking advantage of her son until Lisa reveals she was experimented with while at the medical research block in Auschwitz. Later, Jongman visits Dutch police headquarters, and is confronted by his superiors about Thorens’ death. Jongman explains to his chief and to Wolters that he only struck Thorens but did not kill him. Not knowing the truth about Thorens’ death, Jongman suspects Lisa killed Thorens instead.

Jongman takes time off, and decides to help Lisa reach Palestine, probably to make amends for his inability to save his Jewish girlfriend. Through his contacts in shipping circles, Jongman finds work for Lisa and himself on a Dutch barge owned by Captain Brandt. While traveling in the barge, Lisa and Jongman begin to fall in love and slowly gain the acceptance of the crusty but goodhearted Brandt.

Eventually, Lisa and Jongman make their way to Tangiers, where they meet a Dutch smuggler named Klaus Van der Pink (Hugh Griffith). Jongman attempts to strike a deal with Van der Pink, but his price to arrange passage to Palestine is too high. Jongman then seeks help from American Browne (Neil McCallum), who agrees to help them get to Palestine. During a required medical examination for Lisa before her trip, Jongman discovers that the Nazis had experimented with Lisa while at Auschwitz. Jongman reaffirms his growing love for Lisa. Lisa rejects Jongman, however, because she feels incapable of being a wife or a mother due to her Auschwitz ordeal despite the doctor’s belief that her damage is more psychological than physical. Jongman also finds out from a British agent named Roger Dickens (Robert Stephens) that he is wanted back in London for questioning about Thorens’ death.

Due to her Auschwitz experience, both the British and American authorities in Tangiers exert pressure on Lisa not to go to Palestine and to consider testifying at the Nuremberg War Trials. Lisa agrees to testify but changes her mind while at the airport, and continues with her plans to go with Jongman to Palestine. Knowing that the British are planning to block any attempt by Lisa to enter Palestine, Jongman makes a deal with Dickens. In return for allowing Lisa to enter Palestine, Jongman offers to surrender to the British police after Lisa safely arrives in Palestine. Jongman also arranges passage to Palestine for Lisa and himself in one of Van der Pink smuggling vessels in exchange for signing a contract to work for Van der Pink for a year without pay. Once Jongman safely delivers Lisa into the hands of the Haganah in Palestine, Jongman leaves Lisa behind in order to keep his deal with the British authorities.

Cast

The conclusion of this epic was filmed at Three Cliffs Bay on the Gower Peninsula in South Wales, UK. It is suggested that one of the film crew spotted the location during the World War II when flying overhead in his aircraft.

Original Novel

The film was based on the novel The Inspector by Jan De Hartog, published in 1960. It was the first novel published by the new publishing house, Atheneum Publishing.[3]

The New York Times called it "a sober and touching novel of the human condition."[4] The Chicago Tribune called it "haunting".[5]

Development

Film rights were bought by 20th Century Fox in October 1960. They assigned Nelson Gidding to do a script and Mark Robson to produce and direct.[6]

In the novel, the male hero was a middle aged man haunted by the death of his Jewish fiance. The script adaptation made it more of a romance between the man (now younger) and the woman.[7]

In March 1961 Natalie Wood signed to play the lead.[8] She dropped out and Robson cast Stephen Boyd and Dolores Hart - both under long term contracts to Fox. They had recently acted in "To the Sound of Trumpets" for Playhouse 90.[9]

Robson ultimately decided not to direct and hired Phillip Dunne. Robson said, "Being just a producer, I don't seem to be working. I feel as though I dropped two-thirds of the job. If ever I had any doubts about it, this experience proves that directing a movie is unquestionably more important than producing it."[10]

It was Dunne's 25th year of working at Fox.[11]

Shooting

Filming started in England in mid 1961. Robson chose not to be present during the shoot. In June 1961 he said, "As to how the picture is to be made, I naturally have to bow to my director's artistic judgement. Until now it was been a community effort. Now I feel shut out of the project. When I last saw the actors I talked to them of the responsibility of actors to directors. For me, it was a terribly sad farewell, a sort of farewell address. It is terribly important for a producer to watch himself to avoid intruding on a director's prerogatives. I am determined I won't do it."[10]

The film was going to be shot on location in Tangier. However due to political instability there, and insistence of the Moroccan government that the country only be filmed in a certain way, it was decided to film these scenes at Elstree Studios in London.[12] There was location filming in Amsterdam.[13]

In April 1962 the film's title was changed from The Inspector to Lisa.[14]

Reception

The Los Angeles Times called the film "sluggish, tepid."[15]

References

  1. ^ http://www.goodreads.com/author/list/54379.Jan_de_Hartog?utf8=%E2%9C%93&sort=title
  2. ^ https://books.google.com/books/about/The_inspector.html?id=60xKAAAAMAAJ
  3. ^ 3 OLD FRIENDS UNDER A NEW BANNER Hanson, Harry. Chicago Daily Tribune 5 June 1960: c11.
  4. ^ Not in the Line of Duty: THE INSPECTOR. By Jan de Hartog By ANTHONY BOUCHER. New York Times 26 June 1960: BR4.
  5. ^ Pursuit, Suspense, and a Theme of Compassion Butcher, Fanny. Chicago Daily Tribune 26 June 1960: c3.
  6. ^ New Company Will Spend $8.5 Million: Robson Directs 'Inspector'; Dana Wynter Will Join Kaye Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times 7 Oct 1960: A9.
  7. ^ There's Nothing Like a Best Seller to Set Hollywood a-Tingle: There's Nothing Like a Best Seller By MURRAY SCHUMACH. New York Times 16 Sep 1962: 352.
  8. ^ Natalie Wood to Portray a Girl Trapped by Nazis Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune 17 Mar 1961: b12.
  9. ^ TV: Drama in World War I Setting: ' To Sound of Trumpets' on 'Playhouse 90' By JACK GOULD. New York Times 10 Feb 1960: 75.
  10. ^ a b ROBSON SADDENED BY STAY IN EUROPE: Regrets Attitude of Actors and Yielding Directorship By MURRAY SCHUMACH Special to The New York Times. New York Times 26 June 1961: 22.
  11. ^ Piped Theater TV Called Death Knell: Philip Dunne Survives 25 Years of Shake-ups at Fox Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times 5 Mar 1962: C15.
  12. ^ Youth Group Busy, on 'Weekend Pass': Berlin Suits Plague Actress; Robson Builds Own Morocco Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times 15 Aug 1961: C7.
  13. ^ OBSERVATIONS ON THE BUSTLING BRITISH SCREEN SCENE By STEPHEN WATTS LONDON. New York Times 17 Sep 1961: X9.
  14. ^ FILMLAND EVENTS: Peter Howard Named as Brigitte's Co-star Los Angeles Times 13 Apr 1962: C14.
  15. ^ 'Lisa' Not Like Book; It's Sluggish, Tepid Harford, Margaret. Los Angeles Times 23 June 1962: 16.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Inspector_(1962_film)&oldid=878608340"