The Man with Bogart's Face: Difference between revisions
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*[[Henry Wilcoxon]] - Mr. Chevalier |
*[[Henry Wilcoxon]] - Mr. Chevalier |
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*[[Victor Sen Yung]] - Mr. Wing |
*[[Victor Sen Yung]] - Mr. Wing |
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==Original Novel== |
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The film was based on the debut novel by Andrew J. Fenady who wrote it in long hand over 23 days. Fenady had been writer and producer of television shows and movies for 30 years and was always interested in turning it into a film.<ref name="tom"/> |
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In June 1976 it was announced that Fenady's book would be published next January and that a film version would follow.<ref>book notes: MacLean brews a potboiler |
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Lochte, Dick. Los Angeles Times 27 June 1976: l2. </ref> |
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"Whatever the author had in mind does not come off very well," wrote the book critic of the ''New York Times'', adding "the conception and writing are pretty sophmoric."<ref>Criminals At Large |
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By NEWGATE CALLENDAR. New York Times 27 Feb 1977: 238. </ref> The ''Los Angeles Times'' said Fenady "writes well."<ref>THE BOOK REPORT: A Collage of Fiction Eyes |
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Kirsch, Robert. Los Angeles Times 13 May 1977: g8. </ref> |
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The book was popular enough for a sequel ''The Secret of Sam Marlow: The Further Adventures of the Man with Bogart's Face''.<ref>book notes: John O'Hara: still on the scene |
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Lochte, Dick. Los Angeles Times 2 Nov 1980: p2. </ref> |
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==Production== |
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Fenday took the film to [[Mel Simon]] who agreed to provide $4 million.<ref name="tom"/> Fenady says he wound up not needing all that money and returned $400,000 to Simon. "I'm a Depression baby, I don't believe in wasting money," he said.<ref name="tom"/> |
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The film was made in May 1979 with independently raised finance from Melvin Simon Productions.<ref>FILM CLIPS: Gasoline: Box Office Star |
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SCHREGER, CHARLES. Los Angeles Times 16 May 1979: g12.</ref> In September 1979, when the movie was in post production, 20th Century Fox agreed to pick up all Melvin Simon's movies made in 1979 and 1980 in a deal worth an estimated $10 million.<ref name="new">Fox Plans To Handle Simon Films: Distribution Pact Covers 1979-80 A Spoof of Zorro |
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By ALJEAN HARMETZ Special to The New York Times. 14 Sep 1979: D5.</ref><ref>Movies: At titanic cost, new prop sails on film |
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Grove, Martin A. Chicago Tribune 20 July 1980: d32. </ref> They had a fifty percent interest in ''Bogart''.<ref name="tom"/> |
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Star Robert Sacchi was noted for his resemblance to Bogart, and had appeared as Bogart in various roles for over a decade, including various commercials, a Broadway production of ''Play It Again Sam''. He had toured America for four years in a one man show ''Bogie's Back''. "I'm just a working guy trying to make an honest living," he said. "I look the way I do and I always have, and there's not much I can do about it. I never had plastic surgery or wore makeup to look like Bogie."<ref>Bogart lookalike 'shweetheart' of Hollywood |
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Davis, Igor. The Globe and Mail; Toronto, Ont. [Toronto, Ont]02 Apr 1980: P.13. </ref> |
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Fenady said he cast another actor in the role under Sacchi walked in, after which the producer "went into shock. Bob doesn't need to do an impersonation. The physical impact is enough. When he began talking, I knew I had Bogart."<ref>Sacchi Plays It Again |
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By Vernon Scott. The Washington Post 20 June 1979: D7. </ref> |
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During the filming of one scene, a boat hit John Wayne's converted minesweeper.<ref>John Wayne's Ship Hit Near Catalina |
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Los Angeles Times 5 June 1979: oc_a3. </ref> |
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==Reception== |
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The film debuted at the Cannes Film Festival and was released in Europe before debuting in the US.<ref name="tom">by Tom Buckley; George Segal sheds light on light comedy. |
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New York Times 15 Aug 1980: C.6. </ref> |
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The ''New York Times'' called it "an intelligent, amiable and often amusing spoof of Humphrey Bogart and the roles he played" although "everyone is so cool that there are moments when the picture seems about to drift off the screen. "<ref>FILM: 'SAM MARLOWE,' NOSTALGIC LOOK AT THE PRIVATE-EYE GENRE: [REVIEW] |
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New York Times 3 Oct 1980: C.8. </ref> |
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==Notes== |
==Notes== |
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* Robert Sacchi, noted for his resemblance to Bogart, has played similar roles in other movies and television shows. |
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* The name "Sam Marlowe" is taken from two film characters played by Bogart: [[Sam Spade]] in ''[[The Maltese Falcon (1941 film)|The Maltese Falcon]]'' and [[Philip Marlowe]] in ''[[The Big Sleep (1946 film)|The Big Sleep]]''. |
* The name "Sam Marlowe" is taken from two film characters played by Bogart: [[Sam Spade]] in ''[[The Maltese Falcon (1941 film)|The Maltese Falcon]]'' and [[Philip Marlowe]] in ''[[The Big Sleep (1946 film)|The Big Sleep]]''. |
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* Also appearing in this film are screen veterans [[George Raft]] (in his last film role), [[Jay Robinson]], [[Henry Wilcoxon]], [[Victor Sen Yung]] (who had appeared with Humphrey Bogart in ''[[Across the Pacific]]''), [[Victor Buono]], [[Yvonne De Carlo]], [[Mike Mazurki]], and [[Franco Nero]]. |
* Also appearing in this film are screen veterans [[George Raft]] (in his last film role), [[Jay Robinson]], [[Henry Wilcoxon]], [[Victor Sen Yung]] (who had appeared with Humphrey Bogart in ''[[Across the Pacific]]''), [[Victor Buono]], [[Yvonne De Carlo]], [[Mike Mazurki]], and [[Franco Nero]]. |
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Revision as of 05:14, 2 February 2020
| The Man with Bogart's Face | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Robert Day |
| Written by | Andrew J. Fenady |
| Produced by | Andrew J. Fenady |
| Starring | Robert Sacchi Victor Buono Yvonne De Carlo Herbert Lom Mike Mazurki Michelle Phillips George Raft Misty Rowe Sybil Danning |
| Cinematography | Richard C. Glouner |
| Edited by | Houseley Stevenson Jr. |
| Music by | George Duning John Beal |
| Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
Release date |
|
Running time | 106 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $2 million[1] |
The Man with Bogart's Face (also called Sam Marlowe, Private Eye) is a 1980 American comedy film, released by 20th Century Fox and based on a novel of the same name. Andrew J. Fenady, author of the novel, produced the film and wrote the screenplay.
Plot summary
A man calling himself Sam Marlowe (Robert Sacchi) has his face altered to resemble that of his idol, Humphrey Bogart, and then opens a detective agency. At first he and his secretary Duchess (Misty Rowe) have meager business, but things pick up after a shooting puts Sam's picture in the paper. Some ruthless people, who are coincidentally also similar to characters in Bogart films (and played by Victor Buono, Herbert Lom, and Michelle Phillips), are after a priceless set of blue sapphires called the Eyes of Alexander (from a statue of Alexander the Great), and Marlowe and Duchess are caught in the middle of it all.
Cast
- Robert Sacchi - Sam Marlowe
- Franco Nero - Hakim
- Michelle Phillips - Gena
- Olivia Hussey - Elsa
- Herbert Lom - Mr. Zebra
- Misty Rowe - Duchess
- Victor Buono - Commodore Anastas
- Sybil Danning - Cynthia
- Richard Bakalyan - Lieutenant Bumbera
- Gregg Palmer - Sergeant Hacksaw
- Jay Robinson - Wolf/Zinderneuf
- George Raft - Petey Cane
- Yvonne De Carlo - Teresa Anastas
- Mike Mazurki - Himself
- Henry Wilcoxon - Mr. Chevalier
- Victor Sen Yung - Mr. Wing
Original Novel
The film was based on the debut novel by Andrew J. Fenady who wrote it in long hand over 23 days. Fenady had been writer and producer of television shows and movies for 30 years and was always interested in turning it into a film.[2]
In June 1976 it was announced that Fenady's book would be published next January and that a film version would follow.[3] "Whatever the author had in mind does not come off very well," wrote the book critic of the New York Times, adding "the conception and writing are pretty sophmoric."[4] The Los Angeles Times said Fenady "writes well."[5]
The book was popular enough for a sequel The Secret of Sam Marlow: The Further Adventures of the Man with Bogart's Face.[6]
Production
Fenday took the film to Mel Simon who agreed to provide $4 million.[2] Fenady says he wound up not needing all that money and returned $400,000 to Simon. "I'm a Depression baby, I don't believe in wasting money," he said.[2]
The film was made in May 1979 with independently raised finance from Melvin Simon Productions.[7] In September 1979, when the movie was in post production, 20th Century Fox agreed to pick up all Melvin Simon's movies made in 1979 and 1980 in a deal worth an estimated $10 million.[8][9] They had a fifty percent interest in Bogart.[2]
Star Robert Sacchi was noted for his resemblance to Bogart, and had appeared as Bogart in various roles for over a decade, including various commercials, a Broadway production of Play It Again Sam. He had toured America for four years in a one man show Bogie's Back. "I'm just a working guy trying to make an honest living," he said. "I look the way I do and I always have, and there's not much I can do about it. I never had plastic surgery or wore makeup to look like Bogie."[10]
Fenady said he cast another actor in the role under Sacchi walked in, after which the producer "went into shock. Bob doesn't need to do an impersonation. The physical impact is enough. When he began talking, I knew I had Bogart."[11]
During the filming of one scene, a boat hit John Wayne's converted minesweeper.[12]
Reception
The film debuted at the Cannes Film Festival and was released in Europe before debuting in the US.[2]
The New York Times called it "an intelligent, amiable and often amusing spoof of Humphrey Bogart and the roles he played" although "everyone is so cool that there are moments when the picture seems about to drift off the screen. "[13]
Notes
- The name "Sam Marlowe" is taken from two film characters played by Bogart: Sam Spade in The Maltese Falcon and Philip Marlowe in The Big Sleep.
- Also appearing in this film are screen veterans George Raft (in his last film role), Jay Robinson, Henry Wilcoxon, Victor Sen Yung (who had appeared with Humphrey Bogart in Across the Pacific), Victor Buono, Yvonne De Carlo, Mike Mazurki, and Franco Nero.
- The film won the first Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Original Song for "The Man with Bogart's Face".[14]
Availability
The film was released on DVD by Image Entertainment on July 10, 2007. This release has since been out of print and it is now rather difficult to find a complete version on home media.
References
- ^ Aubrey Solomon, Twentieth Century Fox: A Corporate and Financial History, Scarecrow Press, 1989 p259
- ^ a b c d e by Tom Buckley; George Segal sheds light on light comedy. New York Times 15 Aug 1980: C.6.
- ^ book notes: MacLean brews a potboiler Lochte, Dick. Los Angeles Times 27 June 1976: l2.
- ^ Criminals At Large By NEWGATE CALLENDAR. New York Times 27 Feb 1977: 238.
- ^ THE BOOK REPORT: A Collage of Fiction Eyes Kirsch, Robert. Los Angeles Times 13 May 1977: g8.
- ^ book notes: John O'Hara: still on the scene Lochte, Dick. Los Angeles Times 2 Nov 1980: p2.
- ^ FILM CLIPS: Gasoline: Box Office Star SCHREGER, CHARLES. Los Angeles Times 16 May 1979: g12.
- ^ Fox Plans To Handle Simon Films: Distribution Pact Covers 1979-80 A Spoof of Zorro By ALJEAN HARMETZ Special to The New York Times. 14 Sep 1979: D5.
- ^ Movies: At titanic cost, new prop sails on film Grove, Martin A. Chicago Tribune 20 July 1980: d32.
- ^ Bogart lookalike 'shweetheart' of Hollywood Davis, Igor. The Globe and Mail; Toronto, Ont. [Toronto, Ont]02 Apr 1980: P.13.
- ^ Sacchi Plays It Again By Vernon Scott. The Washington Post 20 June 1979: D7.
- ^ John Wayne's Ship Hit Near Catalina Los Angeles Times 5 June 1979: oc_a3.
- ^ FILM: 'SAM MARLOWE,' NOSTALGIC LOOK AT THE PRIVATE-EYE GENRE: [REVIEW] New York Times 3 Oct 1980: C.8.
- ^ Wilson, John (2005). The Official Razzie Movie Guide: Enjoying the Best of Hollywood's Worst. Grand Central Publishing. ISBN 0-446-69334-0.
