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Joe MacBeth
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Wikipedia article
'Joe MacBeth' is a 1955 BritishAmerican crime drama, directed by Ken Hughes and starring Paul Douglas, Ruth Roman and Bonar Colleano. It is a modern retelling of Shakespeare's 'Macbeth', set in a 1930s American criminal underworld. The film's plot closely follows that of Shakespeare's original play. It has been called "the first really stand out movie" of Hughes' career.
A similar adaptation, 'Men of Respect', was released in 1990, starring John Turturro, Rod Steiger and Dennis Farina.
Plot
Hit man Joe MacBeth goes directly from the assassination of crime boss Duke's second-in-command Tommy to his own wedding, where bride Lily scolds him for being two hours late.
Duke rewards him with a mansion by a lake. A fortune teller persuades Lily, however, that Joe's destiny is to be the leader, not a follower. Lily is ruthlessly ambitious. After he personally eliminates Duke's gluttonous rival, Big Dutch, at a restaurant, Lily continues to goad Joe into going after his own boss.
After eliminating his crime ally Banky and alienating Banky's son Lennie, an evening at the lakeside mansion ends with Duke inviting the lovely Lily to go for a swim. Once in the water, though, Duke is stabbed in the back by Joe and left to die. Lily dives in to make sure.
Although he expresses outrage that someone has murdered their boss, Joe is not believed by Lennie, who suspects the truth. Joe begins to be haunted by nightmares and visions. One night, when he believes Lennie's men have come to kill him, Joe takes a machine gun and opens fire at a moving curtain. Lily falls dead. Joe's own violent end is about to follow.
Cast
* Paul Douglas as Joe MacBeth
* Ruth Roman as Lily MacBeth
* Bonar Colleano as Lennie
* Grgoire Aslan as Duca, a.k.a. "The Duke"
* Sid James as Banky
* Harry Green as Big Dutch
* Walter Crisham as Angus
* Kay Callard as Ruth
* Robert Arden as Ross
* George Margo as Second Assassin
* Minerva Pious as Rosie
* Philip Vickers as Tommy
* Mark Baker as Benny
* Bill Nagy as Marty
* Nicholas Stuart as Duffy
* Teresa Thorne as Ruth
* Shirley Douglas as Patsy
* Alfred Mulock as First assassin
* Louise Grant
* Beresford Egan
Production
In 1941 it was announced Philip Yordan had written a play 'Joe MacBeth' which updated Shakespeare's play to the Chicago gang wars. Arthur Vinton was considereding producing.IN THE OLD TRADITION: Philadelphia's Walnut Street Theatre Returns to a First Love IN THE OLD TRADITION
Ruch, Walter W. New York Times (1923-Current file); New York, N.Y. [New York, N.Y]05 Oct 1941: X1.
In February 1942 director William Dieterle said he was trying to finance 'Joe MacBeth'.DRAMA: New Brenda Marshall 'Constant Nymph' Star
Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times (1923-1995); Los Angeles, Calif. [Los Angeles, Calif]23 Feb 1942: 9. The following month Yordan said Dieterle would direct the stage version which would open in New York on 25 August.A MYSTERY PLAY IS DUE HERE SOON:
New York Times 31 Mar 1942: 28. The production did not happen. In March 1946 Yordan was still discussing it as a possibility.NEWS AND GOSSIP OF THE RIALTO: GOSSIP OF THE RIALTO By LEWIS B. FUNKE. New York Times 31 Mar 1946: 49.
In February 1947 it was announced that United California Productions, a company formed by Robert Cummings, Philiip Yordan and Eugene Frenke, had bought the rights to 'Joe MacBeth', based on an original by Philip Yordan. Yordan wrote the film as a vehicle for Cummings. The movie would be distributed by United Artists.NEW FILM CONCERN PLANS FIRST MOVIE: United California Company to Offer 'Joe MacBeth,' Drama Starring Robert Cummings
By THOMAS F. BRADY New York Times 6 Feb 1947: 29. By April Cummings had dropped out.Looking at Hollywood
Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune (1923-1963); Chicago, Ill. [Chicago, Ill]18 Apr 1947: 25. Frenke was discussing producing the play at the Pasadena Playhouse.DRAMA AND FILM: Colorful Clown Role Planned for Fitzgerald
Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 29 Apr 1947: A3. In September 1947 Cummings announced he had shelved plans to make the film so it did not have to compete with the Orson Welles film of 'MacBeth'.Looking at Hollywood
Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune 23 Sep 1947: 27.
In June 1948 James Nasser announced he had acquired rights to 'Joe MacBeth' for filming under his deal with United Artists. It was to be directed by Lloyd Bacon and star Lew Ayres and Audrey Trotter with filming to start in August.NASSER ACQUIRES 2 SCREEN STORIES: 'Joe Macbeth,' by Yordan, and 'Caesar the Great,' by Brown, to Be Filmed This Year
By THOMAS F. BRADY Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES. 16 June 1948: 37. Filming did not happen. In January 1949 Yordan said the film had been unable to get off the ground due to troubles finding the right cast.Dorothy Comingore Set as Gambler With Gable; Rathvon in Financing
Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 7 Jan 1949: 13. In August William Bacher was reportedly seeking Shelley Winters to play a lead.Rank May Star Niven; King Will Direct Peck; Grandma Saga in Dicker
Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 3 Aug 1949: 19.
In October 1954 Mike Frankovich announced he had purchased the screen rights. Frankovich and writer Philip Yordan had previously collaborated on 'Anna Lucasta'. Filming was likely to be done for United Artists with Joanne Dru and John Ireland, then married, as possible stars.Macbeth Gets Wise To His Pals in Chi
The Washington Post and Times-Herald (9 Nov 1954: 35.SIRK WILL DIRECT UNIVERSAL MOVIE: The New York Times.28 Oct 1954: 47. Franvoich ended up making the movie under a deal he had with Columbia and in April 1955 Paul Douglas, not Ireland, agreed to star.COLOR IS REQUIRED FOR CINEMASCOPE: New York Times 5 Apr 1955: 33. Douglas did it under a two-picture deal with Columbia, the second to be 'The Gamma People' (his wife, Jan Sterling, signed to make '1984' in England at the same time). Filming on 'Joe MacBeth' would start 1 May 1955.RITA HAYWORTH SUES FILM STUDIO New York Times 9 Apr 1955: 8. Ruth Roman signed to play the female lead.'Vanishing American' Will Star Scott Brady
Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune 23 Apr 1955: 17.
French actor Gregoire Aslan was cast as a gangster.MOVIELAND EVENTS: Noted French Actor 'Joe Macbeth' Heavy
Los Angeles Times 24 May 1955: b6.
It was the last film Mike Frankovich made as independent producer before running Columbia's British operations.FILM FILE ON A BUSY EXPATRIATE: Quick on the Draw Productions Galore Amicable Parting Prime Promoter
By STEPHEN WATTS LONDON. New York Times 11 Mar 1956: 134.
Hughes later said he "enjoyed" making the film. "I was terribly young, only 22. The cheek I had to be directing old timers like Paul Douglas and Richard Conte. Still, I think they liked that and I tried never to be arrogant. And it was one of the few scripts I picked up in my life that didn't require a great deal of work."MOVIES: Hughes' 'Cromwell' Was Made With Malice Aforethought
SHIVAS, MARK. Los Angeles Times 20 Dec 1970: m30.
Reception
Critical response
Critical reception to the film in England was harsh.NOTED ON THE BRITISH FILM SCENE: Moviemakers Undaunted By TV--Modernizing 'Macbeth'--ItemsBy STEPHEN WATTS. New York Times 20 Nov 1955: X5.
Author Geoff Mayer wrote in his book 'Historical Dictionary of Crime Films': "Although this bizarre gangster film was an attempt to update William Shakespeare's play to contemporary America ... less-than-subtle alterations to the play with name changes..."
The Variety staff of 'Variety' wrote in their review: "'Joe Macbeth' is far removed from the famous Shakespearean character, but there is an analogy between this modern gangster story and the Bards classic play. Although made in Britain, the film has an American setting. It is expensively mounted, expertly staged and directed with a keen sense of tension."
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