Siren of Atlantis

Siren of Atlantis
Directed by Gregg G. Tallas
Produced by Seymour Nebenzal
Written by Rowland Leigh
Robert Lax
Thomas Job
Based on novel Atlantida by Pierre Benoit
Starring Maria Montez
Jean-Pierre Aumont
Dennis O'Keefe
Music by Michel Michelet
Cinematography Karl Struss
Edited by Gregg Tallas
Production
company
Atlantis Productions
Distributed by United Artists
Release dates
  • January 1949 (1949-01) (U.S.)
Running time
 76 minutes
Language English
Budget $1,800,000 (est.)[1][2]
Box office $335,000 (as at 1950)[1]

Siren of Altantis is a 1949 American adventure film starring Maria Montez and her husband Jean Pierre Aumont. It was the first movie she made after leaving Universal Pictures.[3]

It was also known as Atlantis the Lost Continent.

Plot

Andre St Avit of the French Foreign Legion is discovered unconscious in the African desert. He claims he stumbled upon the lost kingdom of Atlantis, ruled by the beautiful Queen Antinea, who drove him to commit murder.

Cast

Production

Development

The movie was based on the novel Atlantida by Pierre Benoit which had been previously filmed in 1921 and 1932. The latter version had been directed by G.W. Pabst and produced by Seymour Nebenzal in Berlin with German and French dialogue.[4]

In September 1946 it was announced Nebenzal bought the rights to film the novel and had signed Maria Montez to star. The movie would be distributed through United Artists.[5]

Jay Dratler was originally signed to write the script.[6] A number of other writers also worked on it, including an uncredited Douglas Sirk. Sirk says he was approached to direct the movie by Rudi Joseph, who had been Pabst's assistant. Sirk turned it down claiming the Pabst version was a very good film that simply should have been re-released. He was also worried the producer:

Didn't have the money to do the necessary fantastic sets. You know, Atlantis depends on inspiring people's fantasies. The old Pabst picture had great sets, but you do need money to construct a hidden city and that kind of thing. It's no good trying to shoot this sort of film on a small budget, as Nebenzal wanted - and then he wanted me to use some of the long-shot material from the old Pabst and so on.[7]

Sirk did agree to do some uncredited work on the script with Rowland Leigh but said he was "fairly sure I didn't do any shooting" on the film.[7]

It proved difficult to come up with a screenplay that satisfied the censors. In the novel, the queen had an insatiable appetite for male lovers and turns them into statues when she has finished with them. The Joseph Breen office wrote to Nebenzal complaining about the depiction of "hasheesh and illicit sex". Adjustments to the script were made.[4]

Montez's husband Jean Pierre Aumont was borrowed from MGM to appear opposite his wife.[8] Dennis O'Keefe was then signed to support them.[9]

Filming was to start in December 1946 but was postponed because Montez needed to have an operation and was required for another film for Universal.[10]

Shooting

The movie started filming on 17 February 1947 at a cost of $1.3 million under the direction of Arthur Ripley.[2] Lionel Banks, who had worked on Lost Horizon, did the sets.[11] It was shot at Samuel Goldwyn Studios.[12]

Montez said during filming that she hoped to give a good performance along with the "sex and stuff people expect of me... Not that I have anything against glamor. But I would like a role I could get my teeth into. After all, I have two years typing to overcome, of going from one to another until I was groggy. And it is the hardest thing to do that sort of vamp - like Theda Bara - and not be laughable."[13]

After filming wrapped both Aumont and Montez signed three year contracts with the producer to make one movie a year.[14][15] "It is a picture of which I am very proud," said Montez.[16]

Reshoots

Test screenings in Las Vegas went poorly and the producer became convinced that audiences did not understand the Pierre Benoit story because it was "too philosophical".[2] Douglas Sirk saw the movie and thought that "for various reasons not to do with Ripley, but mainly with the cast, it did not come off."[7] Sirk was asked to salvage the movie "but I didn't want to have anything to do with it anymore."[7]

Nebenzal managed to raise an estimated further $250,000 in funds for reshoots done over two weeks in July with John Brahm directing.[17][2] Morris Carnovsky's role was reduced since he was not available and his character was replaced with a new one played by Henry Daniell. Maria Montez and Aumont returned and "violence and movement" was introduced, according to the producer. Neither Ripley nor Brahm were willing to take credit for the final version so the editor Gregg G. Tallas, who put together the two versions, was credited as director.[2]

Choreography in the movie was done by Lester Horton.

Reception

The film had trouble securing distribution in the US, requiring re-editing. However it has now come to be appreciated as a camp classic.[3]

It was also known as Atlantis.[18]

Box office

The movie performed poorly at the box office and was described as "a calamity from a financial standpoint."[19] The producer later revealed at a trial (see below) that the film needed to gross $3.5 million to break even and as at 1950 had only grossed $335,000.[1] However it did perform respectably in France with admissions of 2,188,732.[20]

Critical reception

The Los Angeles Times said the film "does have its moments of action and violence but too much of it is given over to the philosophical introspection (or thinking aloud) of the characters."[21]

Lawsuit

In October 1948 Montez sued Nebenzal for $38,000. She claimed under her contract on 2 October 1946 she was to be paid $100,000, half during filming and the rest within nine months. Although the film finished 12 June 1947, Montez said she had only received $62,000.[22] The matter went to trial in 1950 and Montez had to fly back to the US from Europe to give evidence.[23][24] Judgement was returned in Montez's favor and it was ruled she was entitled to the whole amount.[25]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Maria Montez Tells Court About Astrology Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 22 Apr 1950: A1.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 THE 'OSCAR' DERBY: Annual Scramble for Academy Awards Is On -- Role for Mitchum -- Other Items By THOMAS F. BRADYHOLLYWOOD.. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 02 Jan 1949: X5.
  3. 1 2 Siren of Atlantis at Mariamontez.org
  4. 1 2 SIFTING THE HOLLYWOOD NEWS: Peace Comes to United Artists as Selznick Bows Out--Third Remake of 'L'Atlantide' Coming Up--Soviets Ignore Metro By THOMAS F. BRADY. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 02 Mar 1947: 69.
  5. ↑ Of Local Origin New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 13 Sep 1946: 5.
  6. ↑ AYRES TO APPEAR IN WARNER MOVIE: Signed for Role With Sheridan and Scott in 'Unfaithful,' a Drama of Veterans Of Local Origin MUSIC NOTES Goldina Players to Do Shows Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES.. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 13 Nov 1946: 41.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Sirk on Sirk By Jon Halliday, Faber & Faber, 3 Mar 2011 p 86-87 accessed 10 February 2015
  8. ↑ DE HAVILLAND QUITS ROLE IN 'IVY' FILM: Actress Decides Against Part in Objection to Scenario-- Replacement Is Sought Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES.. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 29 Nov 1946: 43.
  9. ↑ VOICE OF TURTLE' READY FOR FILMS: Warners to Start Shooting in 2 Weeks, With Parker, Reagan and Arden Heading Cast By THOMAS F. BRADYSpecial to THE NEW YORK TIMES.. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 15 Feb 1947: 20.
  10. ↑ Hedda Hooper: LOOKING AT HOLLYWOOD Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 19 Nov 1946: A3.
  11. ↑ DRAMA AND FILM: Ford, Holden and Drew Latest Stellar Trio Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 17 Feb 1947: A2.
  12. ↑ HOLLYWOOD SURVEY: Sharp Drop in Production Noted -- Still Another Dumas Exploit -- Other Items By THOMAS F. BBADY. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 11 May 1947: X5.
  13. ↑ Weird Sets in 'Atlantis' Reflect Beauty of Montez Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 09 Mar 1947: B1.
  14. ↑ Article 9 -- No Title: Laraine Day Signs With Coslow to Play Role in Film -- Wins Point on Dodgers Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES.. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 24 June 1947: 26.
  15. ↑ BOGEAUS ACQUIRES BROMFIELD NOVEL: United Artists Producer Buys 'Early Autumn' for Screen --Ida Lupino Will Star By THOMAS F. BRADYSpecial to THE NEW YORK TIMES.. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 09 Apr 1947: 31.
  16. ↑ Montez the Magnificent LOOKING AT HOLLYWOOD WITH HEDDA HOPPER. Chicago Daily Tribune (1923-1963) [Chicago, Ill] 28 Mar 1948: B18.
  17. ↑ PATRICIA NEAL GETS LEAD AT WARNERS: To Portray Dominique in Film of Ayn Rand's 'Fountainhead,' as Adapted by the Author By THOMAS F. BRADYSpecial to THE NEW YORK TIMES.. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 21 June 1948: 18.
  18. ↑ Reissue Bill Scheduled Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 03 Dec 1948: B6.
  19. ↑ Maria Montez in Rush to End Salary Hearing Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 18 Apr 1950: 17.
  20. ↑ French box office for 1949 at Box Office Story
  21. ↑ La Montez Queens It in Atlantis Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 11 Feb 1949: 19.
  22. ↑ Maria Montez Files New Suit Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 14 Oct 1948: 5.
  23. ↑ Sues for $38,000 Chicago Daily Tribune (1923-1963) [Chicago, Ill] 18 Apr 1950: 16.
  24. ↑ Maria Montez Tells of Purchases for Film Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 19 Apr 1950: A1.
  25. ↑ Maria Montez Victor in $38,000 Salary Suit Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 03 Jan 1951: A12.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 6/21/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.