Flame of Barbary Coast

Flame of Barbary Coast
Film poster
Directed by Joseph Kane
Written by Prescott Chaplin
Screenplay by Borden Chase
Starring
Music by
  • R. Dale Butts
  • Morton Scott (uncredited)
  • Mort Glickman (uncredited)
Cinematography Robert De Grasse
Edited by Richard L. Van Enger
Production
company
Republic Pictures
Distributed by Republic Pictures
Release date
  • May 28, 1945 (1945-05-28) (United States)
Running time
 91 minutes
Country United States
Language English

Flame of Barbary Coast is a 1945 American Western starring John Wayne, Ann Dvorak, Joseph Schildkraut, William Frawley, and Virginia Grey. The movie was scripted by Borden Chase and directed by Joseph Kane.[1][2]

Plot

Naive Montana cowboy Duke Fergus (John Wayne) arrives in San Francisco and visits the notorious Barbary Coast. He becomes smitten with the lovely star attraction of the fanciest gambling hall, "Flaxen" Tarry (Ann Dvorak), the "Flame of the Barbary Coast". He gets talked into gambling against the owner (and Flaxen's lover), card sharp Tito Morell (Joseph Schildkraut). Predictably, Fergus gets cheated and loses all his money.

He sets himself to win Flaxen's affections and decides the best way to do it is to take over. He gets his friend Wolf Wylie (William Frawley) to teach him everything about gambling, including how to spot cheating. When he's ready, he sells all he owns and returns to the city to challenge Morell's rule of the Barbary Coast. He goes from casino to casino, challenging each one's resident poker champion to a heads-up game, starting with Morell. Duke wins every time.

Fergus then builds an opulent new gambling establishment, catering to the upper class. To make it a success, he needs to persuade Flaxen to come work for him, but she is initially not interested. Only when Morell offends her does she decide to accept Fergus's offer. And then the fireworks begin. Morell does not take the challenge lying down. In the midst of it all, the Great Earthquake of 1906 strikes, both Fergus' and Morell's businesses are destroyed, and Flaxen grievously injured. They rebuild and recover. Throw in a political battle, and someone gets the girl.

Cast

Production

The film was announced in May 1944.[3] It was one of eight "super de luxe" productions from Republic Pictures for 1944-45, the others being Lake Placid Serenade, Storm Over the Philippines, Hit Parade, A Fabulous Texan, Earl Carroll's Vanities, and Let the Hurricane Roar.[4]

Ann Dvorak, who had made her last three films in England, signed a long term contract with Republic and was assigned the female lead. Eve Lynn, a magazine cover model who had never acted before, was cast in the second lead.[5]

Awards

The film was nominated for two Academy Awards; Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture and Sound Recording (Daniel J. Bloomberg).[6]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "FLAME OF BARBARY COAST (1945)". Rotten Tomatoes. rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  2. ↑ "Flame of Barbary Coast (1945)". Turner Classic Movies. tcm.com. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  3. ↑ SCREEN NEWS HERE AND IN HOLLYWOOD: June Haver and Vivian Blaine Named for Fox Musical -- Two Films Arrive Today Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES.. New York Times (1923-Current file); New York, N.Y. [New York, N.Y]25 May 1944: 16.
  4. ↑ REPUBLIC PLANS 68 FILMS: Studio's Budget of $17,750,000 for 1944-45 Sets New High New York Times (1923-Current file); New York, N.Y. [New York, N.Y]25 May 1944: 17.
  5. ↑ SCREEN NEWS HERE AND IN HOLLYWOOD: Ann Dvorak Will Play Lead in 'Flame of Barbary Coast' -- United Artists to Expand Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES.. New York Times (1923-Current file); New York, N.Y. [New York, N.Y]22 June 1944: 24.
  6. ↑ "The 18th Academy Awards (1946) Nominees and Winners". oscars.org. Retrieved 2011-08-16.
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