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Forever Amber (film)

April 27, 2024

Forever Amber is a 1947 American adventure drama romance film starring Linda Darnell and Cornel Wilde.[5] It was based on the book of the same title by Kathleen Winsor. It also starred Richard Greene, George Sanders, Glenn Langan, Richard Haydn, and Jessica Tandy.

Forever Amber
Theatrical release poster
Directed byOtto Preminger
John M. Stahl (uncredited)
Screenplay byPhilip Dunne
Ring Lardner Jr.
Story byJerome Cady
Based onForever Amber
by Kathleen Winsor
Produced byWilliam Perlberg
StarringLinda Darnell
Cornel Wilde
Richard Greene
George Sanders
CinematographyLeon Shamroy
Edited byLouis R. Loeffler
Music byDavid Raksin
Production
company
20th Century Fox
Distributed by20th Century Fox
Release date
  • October 22, 1947 (1947-10-22)
Running time
138 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$6.4 million[1]
Box office$5 million (est. US/ Canada rentals)[2][3]
3,918,690 admissions (France)[4]
L-R: George Sanders, Linda Darnell, and Richard Haydn

The film was adapted by Jerome Cady, Philip Dunne and Ring Lardner Jr., and directed by Otto Preminger,[6] who replaced original director John M. Stahl after 39 days of filming and $300,000 of production. The movie was originally budgeted at $4.5 million.[7]

The Hays Office had condemned the novel, but within a month of its publication the film rights had been purchased by 20th Century Fox.[8] The film on its release was initially condemned by the National Legion of Decency.[9]

In 1947, Darnell won the starring role in the highly anticipated film adaptation when the original star, newcomer Peggy Cummins, proved too inexperienced for the role. In the novel, the newborn Amber is so named by her dying mother after the color of her father's eyes. Publicity at the time compared the novel Forever Amber to Gone with the Wind. The search for the actress to portray Amber, a beauty who uses men to make her fortune in 17th-century England, was modeled on the extensive process that led to the casting of Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O'Hara.

The film's score, by composer David Raksin, was nominated for the Oscar for Best Original Music Score.[10]

Plot edit

In 1644, during the English Civil War, a group of Roundheads pursue a Cavalier's carriage, which pauses to abandon a baby at a farmer's door. The Roundheads kill everyone aboard. The farmer and his wife adopt the infant, whose blanket is embroidered “Amber”.

In 1660, the Restoration of the Monarchy begins. Sixteen-year-old Amber is a strong-willed beauty whose puritanical father has contracted her marriage to a farmer. Amber's dreams of an elegant life seem to come true with the arrival of a group of Cavaliers and the handsome Bruce Carlton: she is smitten. She begs Bruce to take her to London, but despite coaxing from his friend Almsbury, he refuses. Before the men leave for town, Bruce and Amber share a kiss.

Bruce and Almsbury are denied an audience with King Charles II. Back at their London tavern, Amber is waiting. Amber and Bruce begin an affair. He pampers her with new gowns and takes her to the theater. At one performance, Bruce approaches Barbara Villiers, a former girlfriend who is now the king's mistress, asking her to persuade Charles to grant him ships for his privateer mission. Distraught at the thought of Bruce leaving, Amber stops Almsbury from warning Bruce that the king has arrived.

Charles later summons Bruce to court. Not wanting his friend to face the king's wrath alone, Almsbury goes with him. However, Charles grants Bruce's requests (to get rid of him as a potential rival) and sends him to Bristol that very night. At the tavern, Amber is sleeping. The next morning, she wakes to find Almsbury packing to return to Almsbury Hall, his ancestral home. The king has restored his rights. Bruce's room is empty. Almsbury tells Amber to go home, but she refuses. She will rise in station and marry Bruce, no matter what.

Almsbury gives her money, from Bruce, but she is soon tricked and lands in Newgate, the debtors' prison, where she discovers that she is carrying Bruce's child. Black Jack Mallet, a highwayman, falls in love with her and helps her escape. They go to Mother Redcap's tavern, where Amber gives birth to a son, little Bruce.

Amber lures fops into alleyways where Black Jack robs them. When Black Jack is killed by the king's guard, Amber flees and is discovered by Captain Rex Morgan. Captain Morgan takes her as his mistress and introduces her to theater friends. Soon, Amber is working as an actress; the Earl of Radcliffe takes an interest in her.

Almsbury, now married, comes to London and tells Amber that Bruce will return soon. Captain Morgan proposes, but she puts him off because she holds out hope of reuniting with Bruce. When Bruce returns from sea, she turns down a chance to dine with the king. Amber introduces Bruce to their son, hoping he will want to settle down. When Morgan finds Bruce and Amber together, he challenges Bruce to a duel, saying that Amber is his fiancée. Bruce tries and fails to persuade Morgan to withdraw the challenge. Bruce kills Morgan and, blaming Amber, leaves England. Noting that he has killed a man and that their son is without a name, Bruce departs saying, "May God forgive us both for our sins."

Amber marries the elderly Earl of Radcliffe, a widower, thereby becoming a countess. She departs her wedding reception early to find Bruce when she hears his ship has returned to London. But she soon discovers he has the Black Plague. Amber saves his life by killing a murderous, thieving nurse and lancing a boil on his chest. After Bruce discovers that Amber is married, he sails again for Virginia.

The Great Fire devastates London. Charles II plans to seduce Amber, but Radcliffe locks her in her room at home. While the fire rages in their house, Amber struggles with Radcliffe. A cruelly treated servant overpowers Radcliffe and throws him into the fire, killing him. Amber becomes Charles' mistress.

Bruce visits from Virginia with his wife, Corinna. He wants his son. Amber invites Corinna to dine with her and Charles, hoping that Charles will be attracted to a new face. Charles sees through the plot and allows Corinna to leave unmolested. Realizing that Amber still loves Bruce, Charles ends their relationship.

Bruce asks Amber for custody of their son. Thinking he will choose her, Amber asks the boy to decide. He states that he wants to go to Virginia with his father. Bruce invites Amber to come with them, but she stays and watches, heartbroken, as Bruce takes their son away.

Cast edit

Production edit

Original novel edit

The film was based on the debut novel by Kathleen Winsor published three years earlier. Macmillan, which had published Gone with the Wind, were excited about the book's commercial possibilities and launched it with an initial run of 175,000 copies.[11][12] The New York Times called Winsor a "born storyteller".[13] The same paper called the book "one of the most expertly packaged bundles of literature in years".[14] It became a best seller.[15]

The book was banned in a number of countries including Australia.[16]

Development edit

There was film interest in the book from the moment it reached the publisher. Winsor's agent suggested she not enter a competition MGM were running for novels because the agent felt they could get more than the prize money offered of $125,000.[17]

In November 1944, 20th Century Fox bought the screen rights for $200,000, one of the largest amounts paid for a novel. This money was contingent on Hays Office approval of a screen treatment of the book.[18] (By way of comparison, Edna Ferber received $175,000 for Saratoga Trunk; MGM paid $125,000 for Green Dolphin Street and $200,000 to A. J. Cronin for The Green Years; Ernest Hemingway was paid $150,000 for For Whom the Bell Tolls)."[19]

Script edit

The following month, Winsor announced she had signed a contract with Fox to work on the script for the film, provide technical advice, and do a screen test. Jerome Cady was going to write the script and William Perlberg would produce.[20]

Cady finished the script by March.[21] Eventually Philip Dunne did the script and John Stahl was assigned to direct.[22] Dunne was one of the studio's top screenwriters and Stahl had just made the hugely popular Leave Her to Heaven for Fox.[7]

Dunne later called the novel "worthless" and believed in any adaptation "it would be foolish to try to recover the intent of the author which is to please that part of the public that likes to lick its lips while reading."[23]

The script had to make a number of changes to get past the censor. "We had to be more straitlaced with Amber than we would with another picture", said Perlberg. ""Everyone is waiting for a chance to jump on us."[7]

Amber's lovers were reduced from over 30 in the novel to five in the film.[24] Winsor had little involvement in the script and the film in the end.[7]

Casting edit

There was an extensive, well publicised talent search for the performer who would play the lead role along the lines of David O. Selznick's challenge to find an actress to cast as Scarlett O'Hara. In November 1944, Gene Tierney was reported as being the front runner.[25] Maureen O'Hara who was a redhead and under contract to Fox, lobbied hard for the role, even wearing a period dress in the studio commissary.[26][27] Paulette Goddard also wanted to do the part.[28]

Numerous actresses were tested. Perlberg said he was looking for "a young Vivien Leigh" or "an English Lana Turner." Peggy Cummins, an Irish actress who had been on stage in Junior Miss, was (reportedly) the 37th tested and soon established herself as a favourite in October 1945.[29] Annette Simonds was also a front runner.[28][30]

Richard Green, a Fox contract player who had not worked in Hollywood since 1940 due to war service, was an early favourite for the role of Bruce Carlton.[31] James Mason, then starring in the hugely popular The Seventh Veil, was offered the role but turned it down because he thought it was "a silly book" and the "script didn't improve it".[32][33]

The first actors announced for the film were Reginald Gardiner who was cast as Charles II by December 1945[34] and Glenn Langan who was cast by January 1946.[35]

In February 1946, Daryl Zanuck of Fox said the lead would be played by Peggy Cummins, with Cornel Wilde (a studio contract star) to play her main love interest.[36] Wilde was, after Tyrone Power, the leading "swashbuckling" style star under contract to Fox at the time. Richard Greene was the other leading contender for the part, and Wilde was under suspension at Fox to a dispute over roles, but Zanuck decided on Wilde, and the suspension was lifted.[37]

Vincent Price was cast in a support role as Lord Almsbury, friend of Bruce Carleton.[38][39]

Original filming edit

Filming started in March 1946. The budget was $3 million, making it the most expensive film in the history of Fox. (The previous had been Wilson.) The film was expected to take 103 days of filming and Cummins had to appear in every scene but one.[22] Winsor was paid $85,000 when filming started.[40]

Cummins collapsed on set on March 30 due to illness.[41] Filming was halted two times, reportedly due to illness on Cummins' part. Then on April 30, after 39 days of filming and $1 million had been spent, Fox announced that the shoot would be halted for three months and that Cummins and Stahl would be assigned to other projects.[42] Zanuck, head of Fox, said the film "has failed to measure up to the standards planned."[43][44]

The reason given later was that it was felt Cummins was very good as the young Amber – she had been extensively tested for these scenes – but looked too young to play Amber as she grew up. In the words of The New York Times "they found that Miss Cummins as grown up seductress looked more like Fluffy wearing her mother's old clothes and smearing on mom's lipstick when she wasn't looking."[45]

Fox did not give up on Cummins and put her into The Late George Apley, Moss Rose and Escape.[46] However, she would leave the studio after three years.[47]

Otto Preminger and Linda Darnell edit

In June 1946, Fox announced that Otto Preminger would take over from Stahl as director, and that the film would resume production in September. Preminger said he would use the same script as Stahl (which the censor had approved). It was estimated that if none of the Stahl-Cummins footage could be used, it would cost the studio $300,000.[48][49]

Preminger said the film had been stopped because "somehow all the elements didn't jell".[50] He later said in his memoirs that he did not want to make the film because he disliked the novel but Zanuck forced him under his contract.[51]

He supervised a rewrite of the script by Dunne and Ring Lardner Jr.[24] Dunne later recalled he and Lardner "both had great distaste for the material... We divided it up because the steam was on... They wanted to get it restarted as soon as possible."[52]

In July, Linda Darnell was announced as Cummins' replacement.[53] "I'm pinching myself", said Darnell.[54] Preminger later said that he did not want Darnell, and would have preferred someone like Lana Turner who he felt could have been borrowed from MGM. However he says Zanuck wanted Darnell.[55] Darnell's casting meant she had to miss out on a role in Captain from Castile; she was replaced by Jean Peters.

By now the budget was up to $4.5 million. Two million went on physical production. Because mostly contract actors were used, the cast only cost $350,000 (sets cost $380,000).[7]

There were other cast changes. Richard Greene (making his first Hollywood film in seven years) replaced Vincent Price.[56] George Sanders replaced Reginald Gardiner as Charles II.[57] John Russell, who the studio was grooming for stardom, was cast as Black Jack Russell.[58]

Wilde was reluctant to return to the film. Fox considered replacing him with Stewart Granger, though this would have been difficult due to Granger's other commitments.[59]

In October, right before filming was to resume, Wilde announced he would not return to the role unless he was given an increase in salary. He was being paid $3,000 a week for forty weeks a year but wanted an arrangement comparable to Betty Grable, who made two films a year at $150,000 a film. Wilde said "My agent said that since I am leading the whole Fox lot in fan mail I should be getting money comparable to that received by the top people at the studio. I am worth much more to the company than I was a year ago [when his contract was renegotiated] and an actor must insure himself against the time when he is no longer wanted."[60] The dispute was ended when the studio increased his salary to $5,000 a week.[61]

Second filming edit

Filming resumed in October 1946 and ended in March 1947. The budget by the end was $6.5 million.[62]

George Sanders was filming a part in The Ghost and Mrs Muir at the same time.[63]

Release edit

The film was completed and released in New York in October 1947.[64]

Opening week record edit

The film played 451 dates in its first week and Fox claimed that it had achieved the biggest box-office opening figures in the entire industry.[65] Variety reported the opening receipts were by far the largest raised by one picture first week since they had been tabulating grosses across the country in 1946. In the 17 theatres they received reports from, they claimed it had grossed slightly better than $700,000.[66]

The film played with increased admission prices compared to most films ($1.20).[67] It set a house record at the Roxy in New York ($180,589). In the following week, Variety's reporting had 27 theatres playing the movie which in total grossed close to $800,000 taking its gross to $1.5 million in two weeks.[68]

Catholic condemnation edit

The film was condemned by Cardinal Francis Spellman and the Legion of Decency who threatened a boycott of Catholic theatregoers. Fox originally decided to fight the ban claiming the ruling was "harsh" and "unfair" considering all the effort they put in to get the movie past the censors.[69]

The studio changed its mind. A number of changes were made to the film, including adding a prologue which criticised Amber, saying, "the wages of sin is death" and adding an epilogue where Cornel Wilde says "may God have mercy on both of us for our sins." The film was re-released in December 1947.[70]

Accolades edit

The film is recognized by the American Film Institute in these lists:

Proposed remake edit

In 1986, there was speculation Raquel Welch was due to appear in a television miniseries version of the novel.[72] It was never made.[73]

Notes edit

  • McGilligan, Patrick (1986). Backstory: Interviews with Screenwriters of Hollywood's Golden Age. University of California Press.

References edit

  1. ^ "Church Said to Insist 'Amber' Change its title". Variety. November 26, 1947. p. 1.
  2. ^ "All Time Domestic Champs", Variety, January 6, 1960 p 34
  3. ^ "Top Grossers of 1947". Variety. January 7, 1948. p. 63. Retrieved June 11, 2019 – via Archive.org.
  4. ^ 1948 French box office at Box Office Story
  5. ^ Guttridge, Peter (May 29, 2003), "Obituary: Kathleen Winsor: Author of the racy bestseller 'Forever Amber'", The Independent (London, England), p. 20
  6. ^ "Forever Amber". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  7. ^ a b c d e Frank S. Nugent (August 4, 1946). "'Forever Amber' or 'Crime Doesn't Pay': In the Hollywood version the moral lesson will be underscored; Amber will suffer for her sins". The New York Times. p. 93.
  8. ^ Bernstein, Adam (June 1, 2003), "Kathleen Winsor, 83, 'Forever Amber' author", The Seattle Times, p. A29
  9. ^ Leff, Leonard J.; Simmons, Jerold L. (2001). The Dame in the Kimono: Hollywood, Censorship, and the Production Code (Second ed.). University Press of Kentucky. pp. 204–5. ISBN 0813171075. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  10. ^ "The 20th Academy Awards (1948) Nominees and Winners". oscars.org. from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved August 18, 2011.
  11. ^ "Books -- Authors". The New York Times. September 18, 1944. p. 17.
  12. ^ Butcher, Fanny (October 8, 1944). "THE LITERARY SPOTLIGHT". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. E15.
  13. ^ WILLIAM DU BOIS (October 15, 1944). "Jumbo Romance of Restoration London: FOREVER AMBER. By Kathleen Winsor. 972 pp. New York: The Macmillan Company. $3". The New York Times. p. BR7.
  14. ^ ORVILLE PRESCOTT (October 16, 1944). "Books of the Times". The New York Times. p. 17.
  15. ^ "The Best Selling Books, Here and Elsewhere". The New York Times. December 10, 1944. p. BR26.
  16. ^ "Australia Bans 'Forever Amber". The New York Times. August 1, 1945. p. 17.
  17. ^ "Books and Authors". The New York Times. October 8, 1944. p. 134.
  18. ^ "Of Local Origin". The New York Times. November 3, 1944. p. 26.
  19. ^ A. H. Weiler (November 12, 1944). "Way of Report". The New York Times. p. X3.
  20. ^ "Screen News: Kathleen Winsor to Act, Write, Advise at Fox". The New York Times. December 13, 1944. p. 29.
  21. ^ Schallert, Edwin (March 22, 1945). "Brazil's Air Melting Pot Inspires Cinema". Los Angeles Times. p. A3.
  22. ^ a b FRED STANLEY (March 10, 1946). "AMBER' IN HOLLYWOOD: Expensive "Sailor" NOTED IN HOLLYWOOD Cheering Section". The New York Times. p. X1.
  23. ^ McGilligan p 167
  24. ^ a b THOMAS F. BRADY (November 3, 1946). "AMBER' IN HOLLYWOOD: NOTED IN HOLLYWOOD Yes and No The Pay-Off". The New York Times. p. 65.
  25. ^ Hedda Hopper (November 29, 1944). "LOOKING AT HOLLYWOOD". Los Angeles Times. p. 11.
  26. ^ "FILMS A change for Maureen O'Hara". The World's News. No. 2755. New South Wales, Australia. October 9, 1954. p. 27. Retrieved December 15, 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  27. ^ "O'Hara's strip-tease bid for "hussy Amber" role". The Sun. No. 2210. New South Wales, Australia. August 19, 1945. p. 3 (SUPPLEMENT TO THE WEEK END MAGAZINE). Retrieved December 15, 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  28. ^ a b "FILM CABLE FROM HOLLYWOOD". Sunday Times (Perth). No. 2501. Western Australia. January 27, 1946. p. 13 (The Sunday Times MAGAZINE). Retrieved December 15, 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  29. ^ FRED STANLEY (October 28, 1945). "NEW FACES IN HOLLYWOOD: Meeting Postponed Searching for "Amber" MEMOS FROM HOLLYWOOD Murder on Ice No Author's Royalties". The New York Times. p. X1.
  30. ^ "Film Stars in the News-- A "Sun" Thursday Feature". The Sun. No. 11, 151 (LATE FINAL EXTRA ed.). New South Wales, Australia. October 18, 1945. p. 9. Retrieved December 15, 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  31. ^ Hedda Hopper (November 17, 1945). "LOOKING AT HOLLYWOOD". Los Angeles Times. p. A5.
  32. ^ E. W. (February 9, 1946). "The Peak of Popularity: The Public's Favourite Film Stars of 1945". Picture Show. Vol. 50, no. 1232. London. p. 13.
  33. ^ "Two Stars May Quit". The Sun. No. 11222 (LATE FINAL EXTRA ed.). New South Wales, Australia. January 10, 1946. p. 11. Retrieved December 15, 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  34. ^ "TYRONE POWER SET FOR RETURN TO FOX: Abort to Be Discharged From Marines, He Signs Contract to Do Two Films a Year Of Local Origin". The New York Times. December 18, 1945. p. 23.
  35. ^ "TODAY: Movie news". The Daily Telegraph. Vol. VII, no. 10. New South Wales, Australia. January 20, 1946. p. 33. Retrieved December 15, 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  36. ^ Schallert, Edwin (February 17, 1946). "Amber' Leads Set With Wilde Cast as Carlton". Los Angeles Times. p. B1.
  37. ^ Schallert, Edwin (February 1, 1946). "'Amber' Leads Set With Wilde Cast as Carlton". Los Angeles Times. p. 9.
  38. ^ "VINCENT PRICE GETS 'AMBER' FILM ROLE: Will Depict Almsbury in Fox Version of Winsor Novel-- 'Road to Utopia' Opens Of Local Origin". The New York Times. February 27, 1946. p. 31.
  39. ^ "RETURN OF A LANCER". The New York Times. February 3, 1946. p. X3.
  40. ^ Hopper, Hedda (March 16, 1946). "Looking at Hollywood". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. 17.
  41. ^ "'Amber' Stricken". Chicago Daily Tribune. March 31, 1946. p. 21.
  42. ^ "FOX AGAIN HALTS 'FOREVER AMBER': Stahl Will Not Continue as the Director--Peggy Cummins' Title Role Part Indefinite". The New York Times. May 1, 1946. p. 39.
  43. ^ "'Forever Amber' Film Production Is Halted; Cast Changes Impend". Chicago Daily Tribune. May 2, 1946. p. 29.
  44. ^ "ZANUCK EXPLAINS 'AMBER': Fox Executive Says Lowering of Quality Caused Film Halt". The New York Times. May 2, 1946. p. 27.
  45. ^ BARBARA BERCH (July 13, 1947). "THE UP AND COMING PEGGY CUMMINS: Or a Resume of Her Rise From 'Forever Amber' To the Present". The New York Times. p. 51.
  46. ^ "Of Local Origin". The New York Times. May 20, 1946. p. 19.
  47. ^ "CUMMINS GOING: An Actress Softly Bids Good-by to Hollywood". The New York Times. August 1, 1948. p. X4.
  48. ^ "PREMINGER NAMED TO DIRECT 'AMBER': Replaces Stahl as Fox Is Set to Resume Making Film-- Three Premieres Today Of Local Origin". The New York Times June 14, 1946. p. 17.
  49. ^ "Red Light Faces 'Amber' at Studio". The Washington Post. May 2, 1946. p. 10.
  50. ^ A.H. WEILER (July 14, 1946). "BY WAY: Gags: In the Film and On the Set". The New York Times. p. 43.
  51. ^ Preminger p 107
  52. ^ McGilligan p 157
  53. ^ "FOX GIVES 'AMBER' TO LINDA DARNELL: Production Halt in Winsor Film to Find Successor to Peggy Cummins Cost $300,000". The New York Times. July 25, 1946. p. 17.
  54. ^ Schallert, Edwin (August 4, 1946). "Choice of Linda Darnell as Amber Wins Acclaim: Director Promises to Retain Realism of Story Within Bounds of Good Taste". Los Angeles Times. p. C1.
  55. ^ Preminger p 108
  56. ^ "Greene Will Return as Almsbury in 'Amber' Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times July 27, 1946". p. A5.
  57. ^ "STUNT FLIER TO DO PARAMOUNT FILM: Paul Mantz, Winner of Bendix Air Race, in Deal on 'Blaze of Noon,' Based on Novel Of Local Origin". The New York Times. September 3, 1946. p. 27.
  58. ^ Hopper, Hedda (July 8, 1946). "The Scooper Scooped!". The Washington Post. p. 5.
  59. ^ Schallert, Edwin (September 26, 1946). "Wilde Will 'Stay Put;' Faith Bacon Plans Film". Los Angeles Times. p. 9.
  60. ^ "Fox's 'Forever Amber' in Trouble Again As Cornel Wilde Holds Out for Salary". The New York Times. October 16, 1946. p. 35.
  61. ^ "Press Women's Group Will Discuss Service Thru Written Word". Chicago Daily Tribune. October 18, 1946. p. 24.
  62. ^ "'Amber' Now Causing Stir". Los Angeles Times. October 20, 1947. p. A2.
  63. ^ Schallert, Edwin (January 25, 1947). "London 'Break' Brings New Beauty to Cinema". Los Angeles Times. p. A5.
  64. ^ THOMAS F. BRADY (October 22, 1947). "WARMS TO FILM 'CLEOPATRA ARMS': Studio Buys Everett Freeman Story as Vehicle for Dennis Morgan, Lauren Bacall". The New York Times. p. 36.
  65. ^ Motion Picture Herald, November 1, 1947, p 6
  66. ^ "Amber Very in the Black". Variety. October 29, 1947. p. 5.
  67. ^ "Top Golden Circle". Variety. January 7, 1948. p. 63. Retrieved June 11, 2019 – via Archive.org.
  68. ^ "National Box Office Survey". Variety. November 5, 1947. p. 3.
  69. ^ "PERLBERG SAYS FOX WON'T CHANGE 'AMBER'". The New York Times. October 24, 1947. p. 19.
  70. ^ "FOREVER AMBER' REVISED BY STUDIO: Skouras, Fox President, Says 'Public Opinion' Influenced Decision to Alter Film". The New York Times. December 5, 1947. p. 33.
  71. ^ (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on November 6, 2013. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
  72. ^ Blades, John (April 25, 1986). "'Amber' Writer can Still Make the Pot Boil". Chicago Tribune.
  73. ^ Beck, Marilyn (December 19, 1985). "Rockin' Raquel Welch is Ready for the Road". Chicago Tribune. p. 13.

External links edit

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Forever Amber.

April 27, 2024
forever, amber, film, forever, amber, 1947, american, adventure, drama, romance, film, starring, linda, darnell, cornel, wilde, based, book, same, title, kathleen, winsor, also, starred, richard, greene, george, sanders, glenn, langan, richard, haydn, jessica,. Forever Amber is a 1947 American adventure drama romance film starring Linda Darnell and Cornel Wilde 5 It was based on the book of the same title by Kathleen Winsor It also starred Richard Greene George Sanders Glenn Langan Richard Haydn and Jessica Tandy Forever AmberTheatrical release posterDirected byOtto PremingerJohn M Stahl uncredited Screenplay byPhilip DunneRing Lardner Jr Story byJerome CadyBased onForever Amber by Kathleen WinsorProduced byWilliam PerlbergStarringLinda DarnellCornel WildeRichard GreeneGeorge SandersCinematographyLeon ShamroyEdited byLouis R LoefflerMusic byDavid RaksinProductioncompany20th Century FoxDistributed by20th Century FoxRelease dateOctober 22 1947 1947 10 22 Running time138 minutesCountryUnited StatesLanguageEnglishBudget 6 4 million 1 Box office 5 million est US Canada rentals 2 3 3 918 690 admissions France 4 L R George Sanders Linda Darnell and Richard Haydn The film was adapted by Jerome Cady Philip Dunne and Ring Lardner Jr and directed by Otto Preminger 6 who replaced original director John M Stahl after 39 days of filming and 300 000 of production The movie was originally budgeted at 4 5 million 7 The Hays Office had condemned the novel but within a month of its publication the film rights had been purchased by 20th Century Fox 8 The film on its release was initially condemned by the National Legion of Decency 9 In 1947 Darnell won the starring role in the highly anticipated film adaptation when the original star newcomer Peggy Cummins proved too inexperienced for the role In the novel the newborn Amber is so named by her dying mother after the color of her father s eyes Publicity at the time compared the novel Forever Amber to Gone with the Wind The search for the actress to portray Amber a beauty who uses men to make her fortune in 17th century England was modeled on the extensive process that led to the casting of Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O Hara The film s score by composer David Raksin was nominated for the Oscar for Best Original Music Score 10 Contents 1 Plot 2 Cast 3 Production 3 1 Original novel 3 2 Development 3 3 Script 3 4 Casting 3 5 Original filming 3 6 Otto Preminger and Linda Darnell 3 7 Second filming 4 Release 4 1 Opening week record 4 2 Catholic condemnation 5 Accolades 6 Proposed remake 7 Notes 8 References 9 External linksPlot editIn 1644 during the English Civil War a group of Roundheads pursue a Cavalier s carriage which pauses to abandon a baby at a farmer s door The Roundheads kill everyone aboard The farmer and his wife adopt the infant whose blanket is embroidered Amber In 1660 the Restoration of the Monarchy begins Sixteen year old Amber is a strong willed beauty whose puritanical father has contracted her marriage to a farmer Amber s dreams of an elegant life seem to come true with the arrival of a group of Cavaliers and the handsome Bruce Carlton she is smitten She begs Bruce to take her to London but despite coaxing from his friend Almsbury he refuses Before the men leave for town Bruce and Amber share a kiss Bruce and Almsbury are denied an audience with King Charles II Back at their London tavern Amber is waiting Amber and Bruce begin an affair He pampers her with new gowns and takes her to the theater At one performance Bruce approaches Barbara Villiers a former girlfriend who is now the king s mistress asking her to persuade Charles to grant him ships for his privateer mission Distraught at the thought of Bruce leaving Amber stops Almsbury from warning Bruce that the king has arrived Charles later summons Bruce to court Not wanting his friend to face the king s wrath alone Almsbury goes with him However Charles grants Bruce s requests to get rid of him as a potential rival and sends him to Bristol that very night At the tavern Amber is sleeping The next morning she wakes to find Almsbury packing to return to Almsbury Hall his ancestral home The king has restored his rights Bruce s room is empty Almsbury tells Amber to go home but she refuses She will rise in station and marry Bruce no matter what Almsbury gives her money from Bruce but she is soon tricked and lands in Newgate the debtors prison where she discovers that she is carrying Bruce s child Black Jack Mallet a highwayman falls in love with her and helps her escape They go to Mother Redcap s tavern where Amber gives birth to a son little Bruce Amber lures fops into alleyways where Black Jack robs them When Black Jack is killed by the king s guard Amber flees and is discovered by Captain Rex Morgan Captain Morgan takes her as his mistress and introduces her to theater friends Soon Amber is working as an actress the Earl of Radcliffe takes an interest in her Almsbury now married comes to London and tells Amber that Bruce will return soon Captain Morgan proposes but she puts him off because she holds out hope of reuniting with Bruce When Bruce returns from sea she turns down a chance to dine with the king Amber introduces Bruce to their son hoping he will want to settle down When Morgan finds Bruce and Amber together he challenges Bruce to a duel saying that Amber is his fiancee Bruce tries and fails to persuade Morgan to withdraw the challenge Bruce kills Morgan and blaming Amber leaves England Noting that he has killed a man and that their son is without a name Bruce departs saying May God forgive us both for our sins Amber marries the elderly Earl of Radcliffe a widower thereby becoming a countess She departs her wedding reception early to find Bruce when she hears his ship has returned to London But she soon discovers he has the Black Plague Amber saves his life by killing a murderous thieving nurse and lancing a boil on his chest After Bruce discovers that Amber is married he sails again for Virginia The Great Fire devastates London Charles II plans to seduce Amber but Radcliffe locks her in her room at home While the fire rages in their house Amber struggles with Radcliffe A cruelly treated servant overpowers Radcliffe and throws him into the fire killing him Amber becomes Charles mistress Bruce visits from Virginia with his wife Corinna He wants his son Amber invites Corinna to dine with her and Charles hoping that Charles will be attracted to a new face Charles sees through the plot and allows Corinna to leave unmolested Realizing that Amber still loves Bruce Charles ends their relationship Bruce asks Amber for custody of their son Thinking he will choose her Amber asks the boy to decide He states that he wants to go to Virginia with his father Bruce invites Amber to come with them but she stays and watches heartbroken as Bruce takes their son away Cast editLinda Darnell as Amber St Clair Cornel Wilde as Bruce Carlton Richard Greene as Lord Harry Almsbury George Sanders as King Charles II Glenn Langan as Capt Rex Morgan Richard Haydn as Earl of Radcliffe Jessica Tandy as Nan Britton Anne Revere as Mother Red Cap John Russell as Black Jack Mallard Jane Ball as Corinne Carlton Robert Coote as Sir Thomas Dudley Leo G Carroll as Matt Goodgroome Natalie Draper as Countess of Castlemaine Margaret Wycherly as Mrs Spong Alma Kruger as Lady Redmond Lillian Molieri aka Lupe Mayorga as Queen Catherine Alan Napier as Landale Ian Keith as Tybalt uncredited Production editOriginal novel edit The film was based on the debut novel by Kathleen Winsor published three years earlier Macmillan which had published Gone with the Wind were excited about the book s commercial possibilities and launched it with an initial run of 175 000 copies 11 12 The New York Times called Winsor a born storyteller 13 The same paper called the book one of the most expertly packaged bundles of literature in years 14 It became a best seller 15 The book was banned in a number of countries including Australia 16 Development edit There was film interest in the book from the moment it reached the publisher Winsor s agent suggested she not enter a competition MGM were running for novels because the agent felt they could get more than the prize money offered of 125 000 17 In November 1944 20th Century Fox bought the screen rights for 200 000 one of the largest amounts paid for a novel This money was contingent on Hays Office approval of a screen treatment of the book 18 By way of comparison Edna Ferber received 175 000 for Saratoga Trunk MGM paid 125 000 for Green Dolphin Street and 200 000 to A J Cronin for The Green Years Ernest Hemingway was paid 150 000 for For Whom the Bell Tolls 19 Script edit The following month Winsor announced she had signed a contract with Fox to work on the script for the film provide technical advice and do a screen test Jerome Cady was going to write the script and William Perlberg would produce 20 Cady finished the script by March 21 Eventually Philip Dunne did the script and John Stahl was assigned to direct 22 Dunne was one of the studio s top screenwriters and Stahl had just made the hugely popular Leave Her to Heaven for Fox 7 Dunne later called the novel worthless and believed in any adaptation it would be foolish to try to recover the intent of the author which is to please that part of the public that likes to lick its lips while reading 23 The script had to make a number of changes to get past the censor We had to be more straitlaced with Amber than we would with another picture said Perlberg Everyone is waiting for a chance to jump on us 7 Amber s lovers were reduced from over 30 in the novel to five in the film 24 Winsor had little involvement in the script and the film in the end 7 Casting edit There was an extensive well publicised talent search for the performer who would play the lead role along the lines of David O Selznick s challenge to find an actress to cast as Scarlett O Hara In November 1944 Gene Tierney was reported as being the front runner 25 Maureen O Hara who was a redhead and under contract to Fox lobbied hard for the role even wearing a period dress in the studio commissary 26 27 Paulette Goddard also wanted to do the part 28 Numerous actresses were tested Perlberg said he was looking for a young Vivien Leigh or an English Lana Turner Peggy Cummins an Irish actress who had been on stage in Junior Miss was reportedly the 37th tested and soon established herself as a favourite in October 1945 29 Annette Simonds was also a front runner 28 30 Richard Green a Fox contract player who had not worked in Hollywood since 1940 due to war service was an early favourite for the role of Bruce Carlton 31 James Mason then starring in the hugely popular The Seventh Veil was offered the role but turned it down because he thought it was a silly book and the script didn t improve it 32 33 The first actors announced for the film were Reginald Gardiner who was cast as Charles II by December 1945 34 and Glenn Langan who was cast by January 1946 35 In February 1946 Daryl Zanuck of Fox said the lead would be played by Peggy Cummins with Cornel Wilde a studio contract star to play her main love interest 36 Wilde was after Tyrone Power the leading swashbuckling style star under contract to Fox at the time Richard Greene was the other leading contender for the part and Wilde was under suspension at Fox to a dispute over roles but Zanuck decided on Wilde and the suspension was lifted 37 Vincent Price was cast in a support role as Lord Almsbury friend of Bruce Carleton 38 39 Original filming edit Filming started in March 1946 The budget was 3 million making it the most expensive film in the history of Fox The previous had been Wilson The film was expected to take 103 days of filming and Cummins had to appear in every scene but one 22 Winsor was paid 85 000 when filming started 40 Cummins collapsed on set on March 30 due to illness 41 Filming was halted two times reportedly due to illness on Cummins part Then on April 30 after 39 days of filming and 1 million had been spent Fox announced that the shoot would be halted for three months and that Cummins and Stahl would be assigned to other projects 42 Zanuck head of Fox said the film has failed to measure up to the standards planned 43 44 The reason given later was that it was felt Cummins was very good as the young Amber she had been extensively tested for these scenes but looked too young to play Amber as she grew up In the words of The New York Times they found that Miss Cummins as grown up seductress looked more like Fluffy wearing her mother s old clothes and smearing on mom s lipstick when she wasn t looking 45 Fox did not give up on Cummins and put her into The Late George Apley Moss Rose and Escape 46 However she would leave the studio after three years 47 Otto Preminger and Linda Darnell edit In June 1946 Fox announced that Otto Preminger would take over from Stahl as director and that the film would resume production in September Preminger said he would use the same script as Stahl which the censor had approved It was estimated that if none of the Stahl Cummins footage could be used it would cost the studio 300 000 48 49 Preminger said the film had been stopped because somehow all the elements didn t jell 50 He later said in his memoirs that he did not want to make the film because he disliked the novel but Zanuck forced him under his contract 51 He supervised a rewrite of the script by Dunne and Ring Lardner Jr 24 Dunne later recalled he and Lardner both had great distaste for the material We divided it up because the steam was on They wanted to get it restarted as soon as possible 52 In July Linda Darnell was announced as Cummins replacement 53 I m pinching myself said Darnell 54 Preminger later said that he did not want Darnell and would have preferred someone like Lana Turner who he felt could have been borrowed from MGM However he says Zanuck wanted Darnell 55 Darnell s casting meant she had to miss out on a role in Captain from Castile she was replaced by Jean Peters By now the budget was up to 4 5 million Two million went on physical production Because mostly contract actors were used the cast only cost 350 000 sets cost 380 000 7 There were other cast changes Richard Greene making his first Hollywood film in seven years replaced Vincent Price 56 George Sanders replaced Reginald Gardiner as Charles II 57 John Russell who the studio was grooming for stardom was cast as Black Jack Russell 58 Wilde was reluctant to return to the film Fox considered replacing him with Stewart Granger though this would have been difficult due to Granger s other commitments 59 In October right before filming was to resume Wilde announced he would not return to the role unless he was given an increase in salary He was being paid 3 000 a week for forty weeks a year but wanted an arrangement comparable to Betty Grable who made two films a year at 150 000 a film Wilde said My agent said that since I am leading the whole Fox lot in fan mail I should be getting money comparable to that received by the top people at the studio I am worth much more to the company than I was a year ago when his contract was renegotiated and an actor must insure himself against the time when he is no longer wanted 60 The dispute was ended when the studio increased his salary to 5 000 a week 61 Second filming edit Filming resumed in October 1946 and ended in March 1947 The budget by the end was 6 5 million 62 George Sanders was filming a part in The Ghost and Mrs Muir at the same time 63 Release editThe film was completed and released in New York in October 1947 64 Opening week record edit The film played 451 dates in its first week and Fox claimed that it had achieved the biggest box office opening figures in the entire industry 65 Variety reported the opening receipts were by far the largest raised by one picture first week since they had been tabulating grosses across the country in 1946 In the 17 theatres they received reports from they claimed it had grossed slightly better than 700 000 66 The film played with increased admission prices compared to most films 1 20 67 It set a house record at the Roxy in New York 180 589 In the following week Variety s reporting had 27 theatres playing the movie which in total grossed close to 800 000 taking its gross to 1 5 million in two weeks 68 Catholic condemnation edit The film was condemned by Cardinal Francis Spellman and the Legion of Decency who threatened a boycott of Catholic theatregoers Fox originally decided to fight the ban claiming the ruling was harsh and unfair considering all the effort they put in to get the movie past the censors 69 The studio changed its mind A number of changes were made to the film including adding a prologue which criticised Amber saying the wages of sin is death and adding an epilogue where Cornel Wilde says may God have mercy on both of us for our sins The film was re released in December 1947 70 Accolades editThe film is recognized by the American Film Institute in these lists 2005 AFI s 100 Years of Film Scores Nominated 71 Proposed remake editIn 1986 there was speculation Raquel Welch was due to appear in a television miniseries version of the novel 72 It was never made 73 Notes editMcGilligan Patrick 1986 Backstory Interviews with Screenwriters of Hollywood s Golden Age University of California Press References edit Church Said to Insist Amber Change its title Variety November 26 1947 p 1 All Time Domestic Champs Variety January 6 1960 p 34 Top Grossers of 1947 Variety January 7 1948 p 63 Retrieved June 11 2019 via Archive org 1948 French box office at Box Office Story Guttridge Peter May 29 2003 Obituary Kathleen Winsor Author of the racy bestseller Forever Amber The Independent London England p 20 Forever Amber Turner Classic Movies Retrieved March 15 2016 a b c d e Frank S Nugent August 4 1946 Forever Amber or Crime Doesn t Pay In the Hollywood version the moral lesson will be underscored Amber will suffer for her sins The New York Times p 93 Bernstein Adam June 1 2003 Kathleen Winsor 83 Forever Amber author The Seattle Times p A29 Leff Leonard J Simmons Jerold L 2001 The Dame in the Kimono Hollywood Censorship and the Production Code Second ed University Press of Kentucky pp 204 5 ISBN 0813171075 Retrieved April 3 2017 The 20th Academy Awards 1948 Nominees and Winners oscars org Archived from the original on July 6 2011 Retrieved August 18 2011 Books Authors The New York Times September 18 1944 p 17 Butcher Fanny October 8 1944 THE LITERARY SPOTLIGHT Chicago Daily Tribune p E15 WILLIAM DU BOIS October 15 1944 Jumbo Romance of Restoration London FOREVER AMBER By Kathleen Winsor 972 pp New York The Macmillan Company 3 The New York Times p BR7 ORVILLE PRESCOTT October 16 1944 Books of the Times The New York Times p 17 The Best Selling Books Here and Elsewhere The New York Times December 10 1944 p BR26 Australia Bans Forever Amber The New York Times August 1 1945 p 17 Books and Authors The New York Times October 8 1944 p 134 Of Local Origin The New York Times November 3 1944 p 26 A H Weiler November 12 1944 Way of Report The New York Times p X3 Screen News Kathleen Winsor to Act Write Advise at Fox The New York Times December 13 1944 p 29 Schallert Edwin March 22 1945 Brazil s Air Melting Pot Inspires Cinema Los Angeles Times p A3 a b FRED STANLEY March 10 1946 AMBER IN HOLLYWOOD Expensive Sailor NOTED IN HOLLYWOOD Cheering Section The New York Times p X1 McGilligan p 167 a b THOMAS F BRADY November 3 1946 AMBER IN HOLLYWOOD NOTED IN HOLLYWOOD Yes and No The Pay Off The New York Times p 65 Hedda Hopper November 29 1944 LOOKING AT HOLLYWOOD Los Angeles Times p 11 FILMS A change for Maureen O Hara The World s News No 2755 New South Wales Australia October 9 1954 p 27 Retrieved December 15 2018 via National Library of Australia O Hara s strip tease bid for hussy Amber role The Sun No 2210 New South Wales Australia August 19 1945 p 3 SUPPLEMENT TO THE WEEK END MAGAZINE Retrieved December 15 2018 via National Library of Australia a b FILM CABLE FROM HOLLYWOOD Sunday Times Perth No 2501 Western Australia January 27 1946 p 13 The Sunday Times MAGAZINE Retrieved December 15 2018 via National Library of Australia FRED STANLEY October 28 1945 NEW FACES IN HOLLYWOOD Meeting Postponed Searching for Amber MEMOS FROM HOLLYWOOD Murder on Ice No Author s Royalties The New York Times p X1 Film Stars in the News A Sun Thursday Feature The Sun No 11 151 LATE FINAL EXTRA ed New South Wales Australia October 18 1945 p 9 Retrieved December 15 2018 via National Library of Australia Hedda Hopper November 17 1945 LOOKING AT HOLLYWOOD Los Angeles Times p A5 E W February 9 1946 The Peak of Popularity The Public s Favourite Film Stars of 1945 Picture Show Vol 50 no 1232 London p 13 Two Stars May Quit The Sun No 11222 LATE FINAL EXTRA ed New South Wales Australia January 10 1946 p 11 Retrieved December 15 2018 via National Library of Australia TYRONE POWER SET FOR RETURN TO FOX Abort to Be Discharged From Marines He Signs Contract to Do Two Films a Year Of Local Origin The New York Times December 18 1945 p 23 TODAY Movie news The Daily Telegraph Vol VII no 10 New South Wales Australia January 20 1946 p 33 Retrieved December 15 2018 via National Library of Australia Schallert Edwin February 17 1946 Amber Leads Set With Wilde Cast as Carlton Los Angeles Times p B1 Schallert Edwin February 1 1946 Amber Leads Set With Wilde Cast as Carlton Los Angeles Times p 9 VINCENT PRICE GETS AMBER FILM ROLE Will Depict Almsbury in Fox Version of Winsor Novel Road to Utopia Opens Of Local Origin The New York Times February 27 1946 p 31 RETURN OF A LANCER The New York Times February 3 1946 p X3 Hopper Hedda March 16 1946 Looking at Hollywood Chicago Daily Tribune p 17 Amber Stricken Chicago Daily Tribune March 31 1946 p 21 FOX AGAIN HALTS FOREVER AMBER Stahl Will Not Continue as the Director Peggy Cummins Title Role Part Indefinite The New York Times May 1 1946 p 39 Forever Amber Film Production Is Halted Cast Changes Impend Chicago Daily Tribune May 2 1946 p 29 ZANUCK EXPLAINS AMBER Fox Executive Says Lowering of Quality Caused Film Halt The New York Times May 2 1946 p 27 BARBARA BERCH July 13 1947 THE UP AND COMING PEGGY CUMMINS Or a Resume of Her Rise From Forever Amber To the Present The New York Times p 51 Of Local Origin The New York Times May 20 1946 p 19 CUMMINS GOING An Actress Softly Bids Good by to Hollywood The New York Times August 1 1948 p X4 PREMINGER NAMED TO DIRECT AMBER Replaces Stahl as Fox Is Set to Resume Making Film Three Premieres Today Of Local Origin The New York Times June 14 1946 p 17 Red Light Faces Amber at Studio The Washington Post May 2 1946 p 10 A H WEILER July 14 1946 BY WAY Gags In the Film and On the Set The New York Times p 43 Preminger p 107 McGilligan p 157 FOX GIVES AMBER TO LINDA DARNELL Production Halt in Winsor Film to Find Successor to Peggy Cummins Cost 300 000 The New York Times July 25 1946 p 17 Schallert Edwin August 4 1946 Choice of Linda Darnell as Amber Wins Acclaim Director Promises to Retain Realism of Story Within Bounds of Good Taste Los Angeles Times p C1 Preminger p 108 Greene Will Return as Almsbury in Amber Schallert Edwin Los Angeles Times July 27 1946 p A5 STUNT FLIER TO DO PARAMOUNT FILM Paul Mantz Winner of Bendix Air Race in Deal on Blaze of Noon Based on Novel Of Local Origin The New York Times September 3 1946 p 27 Hopper Hedda July 8 1946 The Scooper Scooped The Washington Post p 5 Schallert Edwin September 26 1946 Wilde Will Stay Put Faith Bacon Plans Film Los Angeles Times p 9 Fox s Forever Amber in Trouble Again As Cornel Wilde Holds Out for Salary The New York Times October 16 1946 p 35 Press Women s Group Will Discuss Service Thru Written Word Chicago Daily Tribune October 18 1946 p 24 Amber Now Causing Stir Los Angeles Times October 20 1947 p A2 Schallert Edwin January 25 1947 London Break Brings New Beauty to Cinema Los Angeles Times p A5 THOMAS F BRADY October 22 1947 WARMS TO FILM CLEOPATRA ARMS Studio Buys Everett Freeman Story as Vehicle for Dennis Morgan Lauren Bacall The New York Times p 36 Motion Picture Herald November 1 1947 p 6 Amber Very in the Black Variety October 29 1947 p 5 Top Golden Circle Variety January 7 1948 p 63 Retrieved June 11 2019 via Archive org National Box Office Survey Variety November 5 1947 p 3 PERLBERG SAYS FOX WON T CHANGE AMBER The New York Times October 24 1947 p 19 FOREVER AMBER REVISED BY STUDIO Skouras Fox President Says Public Opinion Influenced Decision to Alter Film The New York Times December 5 1947 p 33 AFI s 100 Years of Film Scores Nominees PDF Archived from the original PDF on November 6 2013 Retrieved August 6 2016 Blades John April 25 1986 Amber Writer can Still Make the Pot Boil Chicago Tribune Beck Marilyn December 19 1985 Rockin Raquel Welch is Ready for the Road Chicago Tribune p 13 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Forever Amber Forever Amber at IMDb nbsp Forever Amber at AllMovie Forever Amber at the TCM Movie Database Forever Amber at the American Film Institute Catalog Review of film at Variety Original novel at Internet Archive Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Forever Amber film amp oldid 1214475711, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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