I Shot Down the Red Baron, I Think

I Shot Down the Red Baron, I Think is an incomplete film directed and produced by Cliff Robertson who also starred. The screenplay was written by William Kerby. Robertson wrote the original story,[1] which he called "a sociological comedy".[2]

I Shot Down the Red Baron, I Think
Directed byCliff Robertson
Produced byCliff Robertson
Screenplay byWilliam Kerby
Story byCliff Robertson
StarringCliff Robertson
Production
company
Cinerama
Release date
never released
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Production

Development

After the success of Charly, for which he won an Academy Award for Best Actor, Robertson, who was a flying enthusiast, wanted to make a film for which he had written a treatment called I Shot Down the Red Baron, I Think. It was to be a period comedy portraying the Red Baron as a homosexual.[3] Robertson was approached by a man in Ireland who had several World War I planes in excellent condition. Cinerama agreed to finance filming of aerial footage at a cost of $150,000. The deal was negotiated by Robertson's then-agent David Begelman. As Robertson understood it, if Cinerama liked the footage they would finance the rest of the film; if they did not Robertson would have the option of reimbursing them the money.[4]

Initial Shooting

Robertson began filming in Ireland in mid 1969, shooting the aerial footage.[5] Cinerama financed 13 days of filming. Robertson estimated this was twenty percent of the film. He then edited the footage and sought financing to complete the rest of the movie.[2]

In July 1970 it was reported AIP had signed a deal with Robertson who was working on the script with William Kerby.[6] Principal photography was to be continued in Spain.[1]

Financial Issues

Cinerama ran into financial trouble and elected not to proceed with the movie. They demanded Robertson repay them but he argued he only had an option to do this. Begelman sided with Robertson in the dispute. Robertson agreed to pay Cinerama $25,000 with a promise to pay $25,000 more if the film was made, but remained angry at Begelman. Begelman would later forge Robertson's signature on a check, causing a scandal in Hollywood.[7]

The film, which would have been Robertson's directorial debut and first produced film,[1] was never finished although as late as 1975 Robertson was still hopeful of making it; Dina Merrill, his wife, mentioned it was her next project in January 1976.[8] Robertson later made other flying-themed movies such as Ace Eli and Rodger of the Skies and The Pilot.[9][10]

gollark: It's a giant coordination problem. Coordinating change is difficult and you need to coordinate to do much.
gollark: Anyway, while I don't agree with your views at all, it is interesting to discuss things with someone who thinks very differently, so thanks.
gollark: It is probably an improvement on average, at least.
gollark: The current system, whatever you label it, works fairly well. There are definitely problems. So many problems. Also lots of room for significant improvements without getting rid of it all. But it works decently well without requiring everyone to magically get along fine and the world is steadily increasing in prosperity.
gollark: If your thing only works for self-selected small groups, then it's hardly a good way to organize... our whole global societies comprising 7 billion people, quite a lot of whom don't like each other.

References
  1. "Cliff Robertson Rolling His Own". Variety. 1970-07-15. p. 18 – via Proquest.
  2. THEIR BLUE HEAVEN Warga, Wayne. Los Angeles Times 22 Feb 1970: o18.
  3. Nolan, Abby McGanney (2010-06-25). "Ten movies that never should have been made—and thankfully weren't". Slate Magazine. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
  4. McClintick p 37
  5. Carol Channing an SRO Attraction Los Angeles Times 4 Sep 1969: f14.
  6. Reader of News Governor an Avid Los Angeles Times 16 July 1970: c12.
  7. McClintick p 38
  8. O'Brien, Jack (1976-01-14). "Voice of Broadway". Monroe News-Star. p. 11–C – via Newspapers.com.
  9. Robertson the unruffled: Mills, Bart. Chicago Tribune 29 June 1975: i32.
  10. Veeck's wife to pick home: house or flat Daly, Maggie. Chicago Tribune 28 Oct 1975: a5.

Notes
  • McClintick, David (1983). Indecent exposure : a true story of Hollywood and Wall Street. New York.
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