Battle Circus (film): Difference between revisions
| Line 47: | Line 47: | ||
According to Richard Brooks (in an interview filmed for the 1988 ''Bacall on Bogart'' documentary), ''Battle Circus'' was originally called ''MASH 66'', a title rejected by MGM because the studio thought people would not understand the connection to a military hospital. The title of the film actually refers to the speed and ease with which a MASH unit, with its assemblage of tents, and portable equipment, can, like a [[circus (performing art)|circus]], pick up stakes and move to where the action is. The film's technical advisor, Col. K. E. Van Buskirk had commanded one of the first MASH units in Korea, and ensured that the MASH and aerial scenes were authentic.<ref name="Notes">[http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/2091/Battle-Circus/notes.html "Battle Circus."] ''Turner Classic Movies.'' Retrieved: October 18, 2012.</ref> |
According to Richard Brooks (in an interview filmed for the 1988 ''Bacall on Bogart'' documentary), ''Battle Circus'' was originally called ''MASH 66'', a title rejected by MGM because the studio thought people would not understand the connection to a military hospital. The title of the film actually refers to the speed and ease with which a MASH unit, with its assemblage of tents, and portable equipment, can, like a [[circus (performing art)|circus]], pick up stakes and move to where the action is. The film's technical advisor, Col. K. E. Van Buskirk had commanded one of the first MASH units in Korea, and ensured that the MASH and aerial scenes were authentic.<ref name="Notes">[http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/2091/Battle-Circus/notes.html "Battle Circus."] ''Turner Classic Movies.'' Retrieved: October 18, 2012.</ref> |
||
Brooks also noted that Bogart agreed to do the film because the script's humor, set in a story showing the tragedy of war, would make the film seem more realistic to an audience. This half-century old film is of particular interest today for several reasons: 1) predates by a decade (and may have influenced/inspired) Robert Altman's film M*A*S*H and the subsequent TV series. 2) numerous scenes show actual Korean War footage, and 3) shows how the relationship between the sexes in the military is, ideally, very different today than it was during the 1950s.<ref name="Articles"/>In retrospect, Bogart did not enjoy working on the film, the least of which was when he burnt his finger.<ref>Sperber and Lax 1997, p. 461.</ref> His $250,000 fee was the sole compensation.<ref name="Articles"/>Bogart told Brooks, a close friend, "let's not make any more movies together."<ref>Porter 2010, p. 493.</ref> |
Brooks also noted that Bogart agreed to do the film because the script's humor, set in a story showing the tragedy of war, would make the film seem more realistic to an audience. This half-century old film is of particular interest today for several reasons: 1) predates by a decade (and may have influenced/inspired) Robert Altman's film M*A*S*H and the subsequent TV series. 2) numerous scenes show actual Korean War footage, and 3) shows how the relationship between the sexes in the military is, ideally, very different today than it was during the 1950s.<ref name="Articles"/>In retrospect, Bogart did not enjoy working on the film, the least of which was when he burnt his finger.<ref>Sperber and Lax 1997, p. 461.</ref> His $250,000 fee was the sole compensation.<ref name="Articles"/> Bogart told Brooks, a close friend, "let's not make any more movies together."<ref>Porter 2010, p. 493.</ref> |
||
Principal photography took place on location in [[Calabasas, California]], and [[Camp Pickett, Virginia]], where MASH units trained. The aerial sequences with the [[Bell 47]] helicopters were filmed there.<ref name="Articles">Miller, Frank. [http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/2091/Battle-Circus/articles.html "Articles."] ''Turner Classic Movies.'' Retrieved: October 18, 2012.</ref> The camp commandant offered the film crews use of the base facilities, including his house for the lead actors, after initial scenes were finished.<ref>Sperber and Lax 1997, pp. 462–463.</ref> |
Principal photography took place on location in [[Calabasas, California]], and [[Camp Pickett, Virginia]], where MASH units trained. The aerial sequences with the [[Bell 47]] helicopters were filmed there.<ref name="Articles">Miller, Frank. [http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/2091/Battle-Circus/articles.html "Articles."] ''Turner Classic Movies.'' Retrieved: October 18, 2012.</ref> The camp commandant offered the film crews use of the base facilities, including his house for the lead actors, after initial scenes were finished.<ref>Sperber and Lax 1997, pp. 462–463.</ref> |
||
Revision as of 02:27, 20 October 2012
| Battle Circus | |
|---|---|
 1953 film poster | |
| Directed by | Richard Brooks |
| Written by | Richard Brooks Allen Rivkin Laura Kerr |
| Produced by | Pandro S. Berman |
| Starring | Humphrey Bogart June Allyson Keenan Wynn |
| Cinematography | John Alton |
| Edited by | George Boemler |
| Music by | Lennie Hayton |
| Distributed by | MGM |
Release date |
|
Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $1,525,000 (US)[1] |
Battle Circus is a 1953 film about a Korean War MASH surgical unit directed by Richard Brooks, who also wrote the screenplay. The movie stars Humphrey Bogart and June Allyson, and costars Keenan Wynn and Robert Keith.
The film is set in Korea during the Korean War. Bogart (in his sole film for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer[2]) plays a surgeon and commander of Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) 66, with Allyson playing a newly-arrived nurse. The background and linkage scenes often feature actual Korean War footage.
Plot
A young Army nurse, Lt Ruth McGara (June Allyson), newly assigned to the 66th MASH during the Korean War, attracts the sexual attention of the unit's chief surgeon Dr. (MAJ) Jed Webbe (Humphrey Bogart). Webbe, who has a drinking problem, at first wants a "no strings" relationship. McGara is warned by the other nurses of Webbe's womanizing ways. Despite these initial handicaps, their love flourishes against a background of war, enemy attacks, death and injury. The relationship deepens and uplifts both characters.
Cast
As appearing in Battle Circus, (main roles and screen credits identified):[3]
- Humphrey Bogart as Major Jed Webbe
- June Allyson as Lieutenant Ruth McGara
- Keenan Wynn as Sergeant Orvil Statt
- Robert Keith as Lieutenant Colonel Hilary Walters
- William Campbell as Captain John Rustford
- Perry Sheehan as Lieutenant Laurence
- Patricia Tiernan as Lieutenant Rose Ashland
- Adele Longmire as Lieutenant Jane Franklin
- Jonathan Cott as Adjutant
- Ann Morrison as Lieutenant Edith Edwards
- Helen Winston as Lieutenant Graciano
- Sarah Selby as Captain Dobbs
- Danny Chang as Korean child
- Philip Ahn as Korean prisoner
- Steve Forrest as Sergeant
Production
According to Richard Brooks (in an interview filmed for the 1988 Bacall on Bogart documentary), Battle Circus was originally called MASH 66, a title rejected by MGM because the studio thought people would not understand the connection to a military hospital. The title of the film actually refers to the speed and ease with which a MASH unit, with its assemblage of tents, and portable equipment, can, like a circus, pick up stakes and move to where the action is. The film's technical advisor, Col. K. E. Van Buskirk had commanded one of the first MASH units in Korea, and ensured that the MASH and aerial scenes were authentic.[4]
Brooks also noted that Bogart agreed to do the film because the script's humor, set in a story showing the tragedy of war, would make the film seem more realistic to an audience. This half-century old film is of particular interest today for several reasons: 1) predates by a decade (and may have influenced/inspired) Robert Altman's film M*A*S*H and the subsequent TV series. 2) numerous scenes show actual Korean War footage, and 3) shows how the relationship between the sexes in the military is, ideally, very different today than it was during the 1950s.[5]In retrospect, Bogart did not enjoy working on the film, the least of which was when he burnt his finger.[6] His $250,000 fee was the sole compensation.[5] Bogart told Brooks, a close friend, "let's not make any more movies together."[7]
Principal photography took place on location in Calabasas, California, and Camp Pickett, Virginia, where MASH units trained. The aerial sequences with the Bell 47 helicopters were filmed there.[5] The camp commandant offered the film crews use of the base facilities, including his house for the lead actors, after initial scenes were finished.[8]
Reception
While commending Battle Circus for a revealing and engross wartime drama, reviewers noted that the tepid love story distracted. The review in The New York Times noted, "Unfortunately for the general pace and impact, considerable time is allotted to a dawdling and familiar personal drama, the romance of an Army surgeon and a rookie nurse."[9]
See also
References
Notes
- ^ 'The Top Box Office Hits of 1953', Variety, January 13, 1954
- ^ http://www.allmovie.com/work/battle-circus-4293
- ^ "Credits: 'Battle Circus' (1953)." IMDb. Retrieved: October 18, 2012.
- ^ "Battle Circus." Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved: October 18, 2012.
- ^ a b c Miller, Frank. "Articles." Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved: October 18, 2012.
- ^ Sperber and Lax 1997, p. 461.
- ^ Porter 2010, p. 493.
- ^ Sperber and Lax 1997, pp. 462–463.
- ^ H. H. T. "Battle Circus (1953): Wartime Romance Flourishes in Korea." The New York Times, May 28, 1953. Retrieved: October 18, 2012.
Bibliography
- Porter, Darwin. Humphrey Bogart: The Making of a Legend. New York: Blood Moon Productions, 2010. ISBN 978-1-93600-314-3.
- Sperber, A.M. and Eric Lax. Bogart. New York: William Morrow & Co., 1997. ISBN 0-688-07539-8.
External links
- Battle Circus at IMDb
- Battle Circus at the TCM Movie Database
- Template:Allrovi/movie
- Synopsis from American Movie Classics
- Film summary from the official June Allyson website