 A MUST SEE FOR ALL GABLE FANS:
Tonight, June 22 at 8pm, see the great 1935 MGM version of Mutiny on the Bounty with Clark Gable, Franchot Tone and Charles Laughton. It'is the rousing adventure story of the sailing of the H. M. S. Bounty in 1787 and was adapted from the first two volumes of the Charles Nordhoff-James Norman Hall 1932 best seller. The film was almost two years in the making, attaining an expenditure of almost $2 million - an extremely high budget at the time. Much of the overhead went into Lloyd's insistence upon authentic locale shooting in the South Pacific.
Mutiny on the Bounty was MGM's most expensive production since the silent Ben-Hur in 1925. With three fine leading performances, lavish settings and scenery, and an engrossing story, the 1935 version is certainly the best cinema version of the familiar story, whether or not it is historically accurate. The three stars of the film, Charles Laughton, Clark Gable, and Franchot Tone are perfect in their roles. At first, Gable was reluctant to participate since the filming would require that he wear knee breeches, have his hair styled with a pigtail at the back, and to shave off his mustache. Gable, always being conscious of his masculine image was afraid that he wouldn't suit the part. Thalberg, the producer convinced him to take the risk, which I'm sure Gable never regretted.
It is based on the true story about the incident involving the H.M.S. Bounty which sailed from England to the South Pacific in 1787 to bring back breadfruit trees for cultivation in the Caribbean colonies. The conflict between the evil and cruel Captain Bligh and his First Mate, Fletcher Christian results in Christian taking over the ship and setting Captain Bligh and his faithful crew members adrift. This conflict was not difficult for the two actors to portray since they took an immediate dislike to each other. Gable and Franchot Tone, Gable's long time rival for the affections of Joan Crawford, became good friends.
It won the best picture Oscar that year and was nominated for seven more awards including Gable and his fellow leading men. Unfortunately, he didn't win, nor did any of the other leading players.
The cast includes:
- Charles Laughton .... Capt. William Bligh
- Clark Gable .... Lt. Fletcher Christian
- Franchot Tone .... Midshipman Roger Byam
- Herbert Mundin .... Smith
- Eddie Quillan .... Seaman Thomas Ellison
- Dudley Digges .... Dr. Bacchus
- Donald Crisp .... Seaman Thomas Burkitt
- Henry Stephenson .... Sir Joseph Banks
- Francis Lister .... Capt. Nelson
- Spring Byington .... Mrs. Byam
- Movita .... Tehanni
- Mamo Clark .... Maimiti (as Mamo)
- Byron Russell .... Quintal
- Percy Waram .... Seaman Coleman
- David Torrence .... Lord Hood
|
|
