Beau Brummell (1954 film): Difference between revisions

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==Production==
==Production==
===Development===
The film was made by [[MGM-British]] at the company's [[Elstree Studios]]. Clyde Fitch's play was written in 1890 as a vehicle for [[Richard Mansfield]].
Clyde Fitch's play was written in 1890 as a vehicle for [[Richard Mansfield]].


In 1934 there were two Beau Brummel projects announced. One was based on Fitch's play, to be made by Warner Bros, starring [[Leslie Howard]]. The other was by produced [[Edward Small]] starring [[Robert Donat]].<ref>Winfield Sheehan, Columbus of Film Talent, Announces New "Find Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 17 Oct 1934: 11. </ref>
⚫
MGM bought the rights in March 1951 as a vehicle for [[Stewart Granger]], who had just made ''King Solomon's Mines'' for the studio and been signed to a long-term contract. The producer would be [[Sam Zimbalist]], who produced ''Mines''. It was the follow the filming of ''The Light Touch''.<ref>PARAMOUNT BUYS ODETS' NEW PLAY: Studio Acquires 'Country Girl' for Reported $150,000 Film to Follow Run on Stage Of Local Origin

In March 1939 MGM announced that [[Robert Donat]] would star in ''Beau Brummel'' to be made in London.<ref>M.-G.-M. SCHEDULES 52 NEW PICTURES New York Times 21 Mar 1939: 31. </ref> Filming was postponed due to the war. In March 1941 MGM said [[Clarence Brown]] would direct an adaptation of Fitch's play with Donat in London.<ref>SCREEN NEWS HERE AND IN HOLLYWOOD New York Times 24 July 1941: 15. </ref>

⚫
In March 1951 MGM announced they would make a film from Fitch's play as a vehicle for [[Stewart Granger]], who had just made ''King Solomon's Mines'' for the studio and been signed to a long-term contract. The producer would be [[Sam Zimbalist]], who produced ''Mines''. It was the follow the filming of ''The Light Touch''.<ref>PARAMOUNT BUYS ODETS' NEW PLAY: Studio Acquires 'Country Girl' for Reported $150,000 Film to Follow Run on Stage Of Local Origin
By THOMAS F. BRADY New York Times 2 Mar 1951: 22.</ref> In June [[John Lee Mahin]] was assigner to write the sript.<ref>KIRK DOUGLAS SET FOR 'BIG SKY' LEAD: Hawks and Lasker to Produce Film of A.B. Guthrie Jr. Fur Trading Novel at R.K.O. Of Local Origin
By THOMAS F. BRADY New York Times 2 Mar 1951: 22.</ref> In June [[John Lee Mahin]] was assigner to write the sript.<ref>KIRK DOUGLAS SET FOR 'BIG SKY' LEAD: Hawks and Lasker to Produce Film of A.B. Guthrie Jr. Fur Trading Novel at R.K.O. Of Local Origin
By THOMAS F. BRADY New York Times 2 June 1951: 13. </ref>
By THOMAS F. BRADY New York Times 2 June 1951: 13. </ref>
Line 67: Line 72:
As late as May 1953 Granger was still expected to make ''Robinson Crusoe'' before ''Beau Brummell''<ref>Looking at Hollywood: Stewart Granger Will Star in 'Robinson Crusoe' Film
As late as May 1953 Granger was still expected to make ''Robinson Crusoe'' before ''Beau Brummell''<ref>Looking at Hollywood: Stewart Granger Will Star in 'Robinson Crusoe' Film
Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune 5 May 1953: a2. </ref> The same month [[Gottfried Reinhardt]] was assigned to direct.<ref>Marie Wilson, Robert Cummings Costar; Ladd Named for 'Last Train'
Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune 5 May 1953: a2. </ref> The same month [[Gottfried Reinhardt]] was assigned to direct.<ref>Marie Wilson, Robert Cummings Costar; Ladd Named for 'Last Train'
Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 8 May 1953: B11. </ref> ''Robinson Crusoe'' was cancelled. In July Parker was still to be the co star.<ref>'Mail Order Bride' New Taylor-Parker Project; Roman on Carousel
Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 8 May 1953: B11. </ref> ''Robinson Crusoe'' was postponed due the existence of a Mexican film on the novel. In July Parker was still to be the co star.<ref>'Mail Order Bride' New Taylor-Parker Project; Roman on Carousel Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 11 July 1953: A7. </ref>
⚫
Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 11 July 1953: A7. </ref>

⚫
In September 1953 [[Dore Schary]], head of MGM, gave the job of directing to Curtis Bernhardt.<ref>'Dark Watch' Proposed for Crain, Andrews; Ford and Grahame to Reunite
Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 4 Sep 1953: B7. </ref>


⚫
In September 1953 [[Dore Schary]], head of MGM, gave the job of directing to Curtis Bernhardt.<ref>'Dark Watch' Proposed for Crain, Andrews; Ford and Grahame to Reunite Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 4 Sep 1953: B7. </ref>
===Shooting===
Filming began in London on 15 November 1953. It was Granger's first film in Britain since ''King Solomon's Mines''. Elizabeth Taylor's character was a combination of several women in Brummell's life.<ref>{{cite news|author=A. H. W.|date=4 October 1953|title=BY WAY OF REPORT|work=New York Times|url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/112552485}}</ref>
Filming began in London on 15 November 1953. It was Granger's first film in Britain since ''King Solomon's Mines''. Elizabeth Taylor's character was a combination of several women in Brummell's life.<ref>{{cite news|author=A. H. W.|date=4 October 1953|title=BY WAY OF REPORT|work=New York Times|url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/112552485}}</ref>


==Reception==
==Reception==
===Premiere===
⚫
According to MGM records the film earned $1,049,000 in the US and $1,652,000 elsewhere. It made a loss of $383,000.<ref name="Mannix"/> However, in recent years the film has attained a considerable cult status and popularity, largely because of the story of British high society in the colorful Napoleonic and Regency Eras and because of memorable performances by Granger, Taylor, Ustinov and Morley as "Mad King George III". It is frequently shown on classic movie channels.
The film was given a Royal Command Film Performance in London in November 1954 where it was shown to an audience of 10,000 including Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinbrugh.<ref>QUEEN AT FILM SHOW: Attends Royal Performance in London of 'Beau Brummel'
New York Times 16 Nov 1954: 31. </ref> Some criticized this as being in bad taste as the film featured scenes depicting George III, an ancestor of the Queen, being insane.<ref>The Arts and Other Things: Playing to Royal Command ...
By Harold Hobson. The Christian Science Monitor 8 Dec 1954: 13. </ref>
===Box Office===
⚫
According to MGM records the film earned $1,049,000 in the US and $1,652,000 elsewhere. In France, it recorded admissions of 634,778.<ref name="box">[http://translate.google.com.au/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://www.boxofficestory.com/&prev=search Box office information for Stewart Granger films in France] at Box Office Story</ref>

It made a loss of $383,000.<ref name="Mannix"/>


Granger did not like the film.<ref>Grangers Staking All on Life as Ranchers: Ranching Suits the Grangers
⚫
In France, it recorded admissions of 634,778.<ref name="box">[http://translate.google.com.au/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://www.boxofficestory.com/&prev=search Box office information for Stewart Granger films in France] at Box Office Story</ref>
⚫
Smith, Cecil. Los Angeles Times 8 June 1958: E1.</ref>


⚫
However, in recent years the film has attained a considerable cult status and popularity, largely because of the story of British high society in the colorful Napoleonic and Regency Eras and because of memorable performances by Granger, Taylor, Ustinov and Morley as "Mad King George III". It is frequently shown on classic movie channels.
==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

Revision as of 13:44, 23 April 2019

This article is about the 1954 film. For the earlier silent film, see Beau Brummel (1924 film).
Beau Brummell
Original French film poster
Directed byCurtis Bernhardt
Written byKarl Tunberg
Clyde Fitch (play)
Produced bySam Zimbalist
StarringStewart Granger
Peter Ustinov
Elizabeth Taylor
Robert Morley
CinematographyOswald Morris
Edited byFrank Clarke
Music byRichard Addinsell
Miklós Rózsa
Distributed byMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release date
October 1, 1954
Running time
113 minutes
CountriesUnited Kingdom
United States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$1.8 million[1]
Box office$2.7 million[1]

Beau Brummell is a 1954 American-British historical film released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It was directed by Curtis Bernhardt and produced by Sam Zimbalist from a screenplay by Karl Tunberg, based on the play Beau Brummell by Clyde Fitch. The play was previously adapted as a silent film made in 1924 and starring John Barrymore as Beau Brummell, Mary Astor and Willard Louis as the Prince of Wales.

The music score was by Richard Addinsell with Miklós Rózsa. The film stars Stewart Granger as Beau Brummell, Elizabeth Taylor and Peter Ustinov as the Prince of Wales.

Historical accuracy

The film ends with a deathbed reconciliation between a dying Brummell and the Prince, who as George IV is passing through Le Havre between his British and Hanoverian kingdoms. There is no record the king met Brummell again after the latter fled, in debt, to France in 1816 and in any case the scene is an anachronism; Beau Brummell died at Caen in 1840 having survived George by almost ten years.

Cast

Production

Development

Clyde Fitch's play was written in 1890 as a vehicle for Richard Mansfield.

In 1934 there were two Beau Brummel projects announced. One was based on Fitch's play, to be made by Warner Bros, starring Leslie Howard. The other was by produced Edward Small starring Robert Donat.[2]

In March 1939 MGM announced that Robert Donat would star in Beau Brummel to be made in London.[3] Filming was postponed due to the war. In March 1941 MGM said Clarence Brown would direct an adaptation of Fitch's play with Donat in London.[4]

In March 1951 MGM announced they would make a film from Fitch's play as a vehicle for Stewart Granger, who had just made King Solomon's Mines for the studio and been signed to a long-term contract. The producer would be Sam Zimbalist, who produced Mines. It was the follow the filming of The Light Touch.[5] In June John Lee Mahin was assigner to write the sript.[6]

Filming was pushed back to enable Granger to make other films including The Prisoner of Zenda, Young Bess, Scaramouche, All the Brothers Were Valiant and Robinson Crusoe. (The last one wound up not being made).[7]

In January 1953 Hedda Hopper announced the film would star Granger and Eleanor Parker who had just teamed successfully on Scaramouche.[8]In April, Deborah Kerr was announced.[9]

As late as May 1953 Granger was still expected to make Robinson Crusoe before Beau Brummell[10] The same month Gottfried Reinhardt was assigned to direct.[11] Robinson Crusoe was postponed due the existence of a Mexican film on the novel. In July Parker was still to be the co star.[12]

In September 1953 Dore Schary, head of MGM, gave the job of directing to Curtis Bernhardt.[13]

Shooting

Filming began in London on 15 November 1953. It was Granger's first film in Britain since King Solomon's Mines. Elizabeth Taylor's character was a combination of several women in Brummell's life.[14]

Reception

Premiere

The film was given a Royal Command Film Performance in London in November 1954 where it was shown to an audience of 10,000 including Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinbrugh.[15] Some criticized this as being in bad taste as the film featured scenes depicting George III, an ancestor of the Queen, being insane.[16]

Box Office

According to MGM records the film earned $1,049,000 in the US and $1,652,000 elsewhere. In France, it recorded admissions of 634,778.[17]

It made a loss of $383,000.[1]

Granger did not like the film.[18]

However, in recent years the film has attained a considerable cult status and popularity, largely because of the story of British high society in the colorful Napoleonic and Regency Eras and because of memorable performances by Granger, Taylor, Ustinov and Morley as "Mad King George III". It is frequently shown on classic movie channels.

References

  1. ^ a b c "The Eddie Mannix Ledger", Margaret Herrick Library, Center for Motion Picture Study, Los Angeles
  2. ^ Winfield Sheehan, Columbus of Film Talent, Announces New "Find Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 17 Oct 1934: 11.
  3. ^ M.-G.-M. SCHEDULES 52 NEW PICTURES New York Times 21 Mar 1939: 31.
  4. ^ SCREEN NEWS HERE AND IN HOLLYWOOD New York Times 24 July 1941: 15.
  5. ^ PARAMOUNT BUYS ODETS' NEW PLAY: Studio Acquires 'Country Girl' for Reported $150,000 Film to Follow Run on Stage Of Local Origin By THOMAS F. BRADY New York Times 2 Mar 1951: 22.
  6. ^ KIRK DOUGLAS SET FOR 'BIG SKY' LEAD: Hawks and Lasker to Produce Film of A.B. Guthrie Jr. Fur Trading Novel at R.K.O. Of Local Origin By THOMAS F. BRADY New York Times 2 June 1951: 13.
  7. ^ 'Young Bess' Gets Green Light for July Start; Veterans Set for Roles Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 19 Apr 1952: 7.
  8. ^ Looking at Hollywood: Granger and Eleanor Parker Will Co-Star in 'Beau Brummel' Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune 14 Jan 1953: a4.
  9. ^ Looking at Hollywood: Signing Up of Fresh Talent Shows Studios' Optimism Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune (1923-1963); Chicago, Ill. [Chicago, Ill]15 Apr 1953: b2.
  10. ^ Looking at Hollywood: Stewart Granger Will Star in 'Robinson Crusoe' Film Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune 5 May 1953: a2.
  11. ^ Marie Wilson, Robert Cummings Costar; Ladd Named for 'Last Train' Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 8 May 1953: B11.
  12. ^ 'Mail Order Bride' New Taylor-Parker Project; Roman on Carousel Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 11 July 1953: A7.
  13. ^ 'Dark Watch' Proposed for Crain, Andrews; Ford and Grahame to Reunite Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 4 Sep 1953: B7.
  14. ^ A. H. W. (4 October 1953). "BY WAY OF REPORT". New York Times.
  15. ^ QUEEN AT FILM SHOW: Attends Royal Performance in London of 'Beau Brummel' New York Times 16 Nov 1954: 31.
  16. ^ The Arts and Other Things: Playing to Royal Command ... By Harold Hobson. The Christian Science Monitor 8 Dec 1954: 13.
  17. ^ Box office information for Stewart Granger films in France at Box Office Story
  18. ^ Grangers Staking All on Life as Ranchers: Ranching Suits the Grangers Smith, Cecil. Los Angeles Times 8 June 1958: E1.

External links

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