Rogues' Regiment

Rogues' Regiment is a 1948 film noir action film directed by Robert Florey and starring Dick Powell, Märta Torén, and Vincent Price. It is the first American feature film to be set in the First Indochina War.

Rogues' Regiment
Original film poster
Directed byRobert Florey
Written byRobert Buckner
Based onoriginal story by Robert Buckner
Robert Florey
Produced byRobert Buckner
StarringDick Powell
Märta Torén
Vincent Price
CinematographyMaury Gertsman
Edited byRalph Dawson
Music byDaniele Amfitheatrof
Production
company
Robert Buckner Productions
Distributed byUniversal Pictures
Release date
  • September 28, 1948 (1948-09-28) (United States)
Running time
86 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$1.8 million[1]

Plot

An American Intelligence Agent and Nazi hunter is on the trail of a former SS war criminal reminiscent of Martin Bormann[2] believed to be hiding in the French Foreign Legion in French Indochina. He joins forces with a French Intelligence agent investigating supplies of weapons to the Việt Minh from the Eastern Bloc.

Cast

Production

Max Ophüls was hoping to direct the film but was passed over in favour of Robert Florey.[3]

The film was first announced in November 1947 with writer-producer Robert Buckner saying he was inspired by stories of former Nazis enlisting in the French Foreign Legion. In particular he researched the disappearance of Martin Bormann.[4]

Edmond O'Brien was originally announced as star. It was made shortly after the production of another film about the French Foreign Legion, Outpost in Morocco. Burt Lancaster was sought for a supporting part.[5]

In March 1948 it was announced Universal signed Dick Powell to play the lead.[6] Edmond O'Brien dropped out of the film to make a movie with Deanna Durbin.[7]

It was meant to be the 60th film directed by Robert Florey at Universal.[8]

Release

The Los Angeles Times said the film had an "arresting premise" which "went the way of just another cops and robbers chase".[9]

The New York Times wrote that "if this man-hunt for a vicious, top-flight Nazi in the environs of Saigon bears more than a passing resemblance to a dozen other film chases of recent vintage, mark it down as topical, at least. If credibility is by-passed more than once, it is all done briskly and with good will."[10]

Adaptation

In 1951 Dick Powell reprised his role in a radio adaptation of the film on Screen Directors Playhouse.

References
  1. "Top Grossers of 1949". Variety. 4 January 1950. p. 59.
  2. "THE SCREEN IN REVIEW; ' Rogues' Regiment,' with Dick Powell Hunting Nazi Official, Opens at Loew's Criterion". The New York Times. 20 December 1948.
  3. p.200 Bacher, Lutz Max Ophuls in the Hollywood Studios 1996 Rutgers University Press
  4. "Bormann, Hitler's Missing Deputy, Alive in Hiding, Author Believes". Los Angeles Times. Oct 4, 1948. p. A8.
  5. THOMAS F. BRADY (Nov 15, 1947). "U-I TO DO NEW FILM ON FOREIGN LEGION: Edmund O'Brien Set for Role in 'Rogues Regiment,' Movie on Unit in Indo-China". New York Times. p. 11.
  6. THOMAS F. BRADY (Mar 3, 1948). "FILM CONTROVERSY IS TAKEN TO COURT: Feldman Sues for $1,000,000 in Row Over Movie Rights to Gerald Butler's Novel". New York Times. p. 28.
  7. THOMAS F. BRADY (Mar 4, 1948). "WARNER FILM LEAD TO VIVECA LINDFORS: Actress Will Star in 'Be Nice to Emily,' Comedy by Taylor -- Gottleib is Producer". New York Times. p. 30.
  8. "FLOREY GUIDES 60 FILMS AT U". Los Angeles Times. Nov 26, 1948. p. 21.
  9. SCHEUER, PHILILP K. (Nov 18, 1948). "Powell Pursues Ex-Nazi Into 'Rogues' Regiment'". Los Angeles Times. p. B8.
  10. Review of film at New York Times
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