All the Fine Young Cannibals is a 1960 American drama film directed by Michael Anderson, starring Robert Wagner, Natalie Wood, Susan Kohner, George Hamilton, and Pearl Bailey.[3] Hamilton said that the film "combined Southern Gothic with a biopic of jazzman Chet Baker."[4] It was loosely based on The Bixby Girls, a 1957 novel by Rosamond Marshall that was set in the World War I era.
| All the Fine Young Cannibals | |
|---|---|
 Original movie poster by Reynold Brown | |
| Directed by | Michael Anderson |
| Written by | Robert Thom |
| Based on | novel The Bixby Girls by Rosamond Marshall |
| Produced by | Pandro S. Berman |
| Starring | Robert Wagner Natalie Wood Susan Kohner George Hamilton |
| Cinematography | William H. Daniels |
| Edited by | John McSweeney, Jr. |
| Music by | Jeff Alexander |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Loew's Inc.[1] |
Release date |
|
Running time | 112 min. |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $1,638,000[2] |
| Box office | $1,810,000[2] |
Plot
editTwo young people in love, musician Chad Bixby (Robert Wagner) and Sarah "Salome" Davis (Natalie Wood), are forced apart despite the latter's pregnancy. They marry others, but are brought back together by chance. A downtrodden blues singer (Pearl Bailey) mothers Bixby while guiding his career.
Cast
edit- Robert Wagner as Chad Bixby
- Natalie Wood as Sarah "Salome" Davis
- Susan Kohner as Catherine McDowall
- George Hamilton as Tony McDowall
- Pearl Bailey as Ruby
- Jack Mullaney as Putney Tinker
- Onslow Stevens as Joshua Davis
- Anne Seymour as Mrs. Bixby
- Virginia Gregg as Ada Davis
- Mabel Albertson as Mrs. McDowall
- Louise Beavers as Rose
Production
editAll the Fine Young Cannibals was the first film that Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood made together.[5] George Hamilton says that director Vincente Minnelli shot some scenes when Michael Anderson was unavailable, including an ending for the film that was not used.[6]
Wagner's character is loosely based on the jazz trumpeter Chet Baker.[7]
Box office
editAccording to MGM records, the film earned $950,000 in the U.S. and Canada, and $860,000 elsewhere, resulting in a loss of $1,108,000.[2]
Influence
editThe film's title was later taken by the English band Fine Young Cannibals.[8]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ All the Fine Young Cannibals at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
- ^ a b c The Eddie Mannix Ledger, Los Angeles: Margaret Herrick Library, Center for Motion Picture Study.
- ^ "All the Fine Young Cannibals". The New York Times. 23 September 1960.
- ^ George Hamilton & William Stadiem, Don't Mind If I Do, Simon & Schuster, 2008, p 139
- ^ Hopper, Hedda (Jan 24, 1960). "Smooth Sailing for the Wagners: Sure Sign of Success in Hollywood: Bob and Nat Are Buying Fifth Boat". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. f22.
- ^ Interview with George Hamilton, The Diva Review, accessed 23 December 2014
- ^ Ruhlmann, William. "Chet Baker Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
- ^ Jessica Berens (April 1986). "Fine Young Cannibals – They're England's latest sultans of soul. Soon they'll be bringing it on home to America, where at least a band can get a decent meal". Spin Magazine. p. 73. Retrieved 11 September 2010.