The Black Orchid (film)

The Black Orchid is a 1959 American drama film directed by Martin Ritt[2] and starring Sophia Loren and Anthony Quinn. Supporting actors include: Peter Mark Richman, Virginia Vincent, Frank Puglia, Jimmy Baird, and Naomi Stevens.[3][4]

The Black Orchid
Theatrical release poster
Directed byMartin Ritt
Produced byMarcello Girosi
Carlo Ponti
Screenplay byJoseph Stefano
StarringSophia Loren
Anthony Quinn
Music byAlessandro Cicognini
CinematographyRobert Burks
Edited byHoward A. Smith
Production
company
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release date
  • February 12, 1959 (1959-02-12)
Running time
96 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$1 million (est. US/ Canada rentals)[1]

Plot

Rose Bianco (Sophia Loren) a florist widowed by a famous gangster, looks for happiness with widower Frank Valente (Anthony Quinn). Rose is dealing with her son Ralph in a work farm for troubled boys, though Ralph is warned that if he runs away one more time he will be sent to reform school.

Frank’s grown up daughter and only child Mary (Ina Balin) takes care of everything for him. Noble and Mary love each other and are engaged, but Mary refuses to marry him because she worries about who will take care of her father. She asks Noble to marry her and stay with her in her father’s house, but Noble wishes to purchase a house near the location of his business in Atlantic City as he is tried of commuting. At the same time, however, she refuses to accept Rose as her stepmother and allow her to join the family. Before Frank’s wedding day Mary irons Frank’s clothes, cooks all the food and locks herself in her room. As Frank's wife suffered from serious depression and mental illness after the birth of Mary, Frank fears that his late wife's mental illness has been inherited by his daughter. This leads Rose and Frank to call everything off, devastating them both.

Meanwhile Rose has taken Frank to visit her son Ralph at the work farm. It is agreed when Frank and Rose marry Ralph will be released into their custody. When Rose’s son finds out the wedding has been cancelled and he will not be able to leave, he runs away from the work farm, leading the police to come and search for him in the house. The next day, Noble comes and sees Frank is sleeping in his chair; Mary has still confined herself in upstairs. He asks her to come out, but there is no answer. The two men agree their only hope is to pray together. Noble decides he will drop Frank off at Rose’s house and will wait at the church for him. Frank finds out that Rose is waiting beside the telephone for news about Ralph and reveals how miserable he is, torn between her and his daughter.

Frank leaves and joins Noble in the church and Rose heads for Frank’s house to confront Mary. Her son comes to the church, hoping to see his mother one last time before they send him to reform school. Frank and Noble bring him back to the farm and manage an agreement with the boarding manager, Mr. Harmon. On the other hand, thinking herself alone in the house, Mary unlocks the door and comes out of the room. There she meets Rose, who has decided to try to help Frank find happiness, even if it is not with her. Rose argues her point with Mary and makes her understand Rose's love for her father, and finally Mary accepts her, asking her to stay for coffee. Frank, Rose, Noble, and Mary have breakfast together. In the end, Rose and Frank take Ralph out of the work farm and the three happily walk toward the horizon.

Cast

Production

The Black Orchid's original title was The Flower Maker.[5]

Casting

The Black Orchid was originally purchased by Paramount Pictures with the intent of having Anna Magnani in the lead role, however, with her schedule so busy and the hiring of producer Carlo Ponti, Ponti hired his wife Sophia Loren.[6]

Soundtrack

The Black Orchid is the first Hollywood film of Italian composer Alessandro Cicognini released by Dot Records.[7]

Novelization

A novelization of the screenplay was written by American author Edward S. Aarons (1916-1975) under the pseudonym Edward S. Ronns.[8]

Reception

Critical response

The staff at Variety wrote in their review: "Orchid has a flavor of Marty, a touch of Wild Is the Wind. The story threads and changing emotions are securely locked in through Martin Ritt’s honest direction. Without pushing, he tells an intricately drawn story with a smooth, authoritative hand."[9] Film critic Bosley Crowther of The New York Times wrote in his review: "When anyone gives his director what Mr. Quinn gives Martin Ritt, it is certainly too bad that the director hasn't something equally good to give back to him.But, unfortunately, Joseph Stefano, who wrote the original script, did not put into the hands of the director a story that is up to Mr. Quinn."[10]

For her performance in the film, Sophia Loren, won the Coppa Volpi for best actress at the Internation Film Festival in Venice.[11][12]

Release

The Black Orchid was released in theatres on February 12, 1959.[10] The film was released on DVD on August 31, 2004, by Paramount Home Entertainment.[13]

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See also

References

Citations
  1. (January 6, 1960) "Probable Domestic Take" Variety United States: Variety Media, LLC. (Penske Media Corporation) p 34
  2. Quinlan, David (1983). The Illustrated Guide to Film Director. Lanham, Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 978-0389204084.
  3. Gevinson 1997, p. 145.
  4. Ritt 2003, p. xxiii.
  5. Miller 2000, p. 205.
  6. Mell 2005, p. 35.
  7. Cicognini, Alessandro (1959). The Black Orchid. Dot Records (Vinyl). Nashville, Tennessee: Paramount Pictures (now Universal Music Group). Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  8. Ronns, Edward S. (1959). The Black Orchid. New York City: Pyramid Books. ASIN B001TAYKQK.
  9. Variety Staff (December 31, 1958). "The Black Orchid". Variety. United States: Variety Media, LLC. (Penske Media Corporation). Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  10. Crowther, Bosley (February 13, 1959). "Screen: 'Black Orchid'; Quinn Is Starred in New Film at Plaza". The New York Times. New York City: The New York Times Company. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  11. Loren 2014, p. 131.
  12. De La Hoz, Cindy (2017). Sophia Loren: Movie Star Italian Style. Turner Classic Movies. Philadelphia: Running Press Adult. ISBN 978-0762461318.
  13. The Black Orchid. Paramount Home Entertainment (DVD). Hollywood: Paramount Pictures. August 31, 2004. ASIN B0002ERWWI. Retrieved April 25, 2020.

Sources


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