All the Fine Young Cannibals
All the Fine Young Cannibals is a 1960 American drama film directed by Michael Anderson, based on the novel by Rosamond Marshall, 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]
| 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 | September 15, 1960 |
Running time | 112 min. |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $1,638,000[2] |
| Box office | $1,810,000[2] |
Plot
Two young people in love, musician Chad Bixby and Sarah "Salome" Davis, are forced apart despite Salome's pregnancy. They marry others, but are then brought back together by chance. A downtrodden blues singer mothers Bixby while guiding his career.
Cast
- 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
All 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
According 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
The film's title was the inspiration for the name of the musical group Fine Young Cannibals.[8]
See also
References
- All the Fine Young Cannibals at the American Film Institute Catalog
- 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 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.