Harpoon (1948 film)

Harpoon is a 1948 American adventure film directed and produced by Ewing Scott, and starring John Bromfield in his film debut. Although described by some sources as a "documentary,"[2] it is a fictional feature film shot on location in Alaska.[1]

Harpoon
Directed byEwing Scott
Produced byEwing Scott
associated
George Danches
Written byEwing Scott
Starring
Production
company
Danches Bros. Productions
Distributed byScreen Guild Productions
Release date
1948
Running time
83 minutes
CountryUnited States
Budget$400,000[1]

Synopsis

Set in Alaska in the late 19th century, the film tells the story of a feud between two whalers, whose sons carry on the rivalry after the deaths of their fathers.

Cast
  • John Bromfield as Michael Shand
  • Alyce Louis as Kitty Canon
  • James Cardwell as Red Dorsett Jr.
  • Patricia Garrison as Christine McFee
  • Jack George as Rev. McFee
  • Edgar Hinton as Kurt Shand

Production

The film was the idea of Ewing Scott who had made two films in Alaska in the 1920s.[1]

The film was financed by the Danches brothers who were industrialists who had made a fortune providing powdered eggs to Europe during the war. The Danches wanted to get into movie making and made Untamed Fury with Scott, which encouraged them to back Scott's idea for an Alaskan film.[1]

In May 1947 Ewing Scott announced he would make the film on a three-month location trip. He wanted James Davis or Robert Alda for the lead and was going to release through Universal.[3]

John Bromfield was eventually cast. He was discovered while repairing nets on the Santa Monica pier.[4]

The Danches bought an army patrol boat which had originally been built for $250,000 for $40,000. It was painted black on one side and white on the other so it could be used to depict two boats. The unit left San Diego for Alaska on 20 May 1947 and did extensive location filming. Reshoots were required costing $30,000 when some of the film was scratched.[1]

The unit returned to the US mainland on September 25. Some work was done in studio. Filming was finished by October 1947.[5]

Reception

New York Times critic Bosley Crowther gave the film a "minor citation for effort", but dismissed its story as "hopelessly naive" and "childish", and the acting and direction as "painfully amateurish".[6]

The ship used during the production of Harpoon, "The Flying Kate", is referenced in John S. Bohne's 2001 book The Sea Change, which describes the film as "a rough sea adventure made from a rather bad script".[7]

The Danches wanted to make a follow up, The Vanishing Isle and The Kind of Kapu.[8] Neither appears to have been made.

However Scott did make Arctic Manhunt (1948), shot mostly in Alaska.[9]

References
  1. Pallette, Elizabeth (9 May 1948). "Arctic Movie Adventure: Whales, Walruses and Some Hardy Actors Combine Talents in 'Harpoon'". New York Times. Retrieved 12 March 2016. (subscription required)
  2. "Obituaries: John Bromfield". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. 20 September 2005. p. 6B. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  3. Schallert, E. (May 20, 1947). "DRAMA AND FILM". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 165781000.
  4. Grant, G. (Sep 2, 1973). "An actor, a harpoon and 70 tons of whale". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 157436984.
  5. Schallert, E. (Oct 25, 1947). "DRAMA AND FILM". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 165769771.
  6. Crowther, Bosley (9 December 1948). "The Screen: Harpoon". New York Times. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
  7. Bohne, John S. (2001). The Sea Change: A True Tale of High Adventure. 1st Book Library. p. 36. ISBN 9780759602359.
  8. Schallert, E. (Dec 31, 1947). "DRAMA AND FILM". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 165788162.
  9. THOMAS F BRADY (Nov 4, 1948). "NEW ARCTIC FILM WILL BE PRODUCED". New York Times. ProQuest 108257515.


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