Deported (film)
Deported is a 1950 American crime film noir directed by Robert Siodmak and starring Märta Torén and Jeff Chandler about an American gangster sent back to his home country who falls in love with a widowed countess.
| Deported | |
|---|---|
_poster.jpg) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Robert Siodmak |
| Produced by | Robert Buckner |
| Screenplay by | Robert Buckner |
| Story by | Lionel Shapiro |
| Based on | Paradise Lost by Lionel Shapiro[1] |
| Starring | Märta Torén Jeff Chandler |
| Music by | Walter Scharf |
| Cinematography | William H. Daniels |
| Edited by | Ralph Dawson |
Production company | Universal Pictures |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 89 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $550,000 (est.)[2] |
Plot
A U.S. gangster (Jeff Chandler) deported back to his native to Italy woos a countess (Märta Torén) in a plot to bring loot into the country.
Cast
- Märta Torén as the Countess di Lorenzi
- Jeff Chandler as Vittorio Mario Sparducci alias "Vic Smith"
- Claude Dauphin as Bucelli
- Marina Berti as Gina
- Richard Rober as Bemardo Gervaso
- Silvio Mindotti as Armando Sparducci
- Carlo Rizzo as Guido Caruso
- Mimi Aguglia as Teresa Sparducci
- Adriano Ambrogi as Father Genaro
- Michael Tor as Ernesto Pampilone
- Erminio Spalla as Benjamino Barda
- Dino Nardi as Donadi
- Guido Celano as Aldo Brescia
- Tito Vuolo as Postal clerk
Production
The movie was originally called Paradise Lost '49 and was to star Dana Andrews, who had been in Sword in the Desert, also produced by Robert Buckner, Andrews became unavailable and Victor Mature and John Garfield were discussed as possible alternatives.[3]
Eventually the lead role was assigned to Jeff Chandler after he had impressed Universal Studios with his performance in Sword of the Desert, and his successful loanout to 20th Century Fox for Broken Arrow.[4] "I don't know why I got it", Chandler said of the role, joking that "maybe it's because I'm saving them money."[5]
Chandler had to secure a three-week leave of absence from Our Miss Brooks on radio to make the film.[6]
Much of the film was shot in Italy on location in Naples, Siena and Tuscany over five weeks in late 1949. Only two actors were imported from America, Chandler and Märta Torén, with the rest coming from either Italy or France.[7] Filming began early in 1950.[8][9]
Chandler's second daughter was born during the making of the film.[10]
Writer-producer Robert Buckner praised filming on location in Italy. He said Universal had set aside $300,000 in frozen currency to make the film, but he ended up using only $117,000. He said that if Chandler had not been required to return to the US to fulfil a radio commitment, requiring three weeks filming in a studio in Hollywood, another $100,000 could have been saved.[11]
The movie is said to be based on a famous Italian gangster, Lucky Luciano. Chandler denied this, saying the character he played was a small-time gangster, "and what happens after he lands is quite different from what happened to Luciano. I understand Luciano was really disappointed when our producer, Robert Buckner, mentioned this to him."[12]
See also
References
- "MOVIELAND BRIEFS". Los Angeles Times. Oct 9, 1948. p. 9.
- Thomas F. Brady "Hollywood." (Dec 18, 1949). "HOLLYWOOD NOTES: BUCKNER PLANS SECOND FILM IN ITALY NEXT SPRING -- FOX BOWS OUT -- BOGART EXPLAINS". New York Times. p. X5.
- Schallert, Edwin (Feb 28, 1949). "Andrews in Israeli Film; Lupino Pacts New Stars; Duryea Goes Mean Again". Los Angeles Times. p. B5.
- Hopper, Hedda (8 Aug 1949). "Looking at Hollywood". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. A2.
- A. H. WEILER (Aug 21, 1949). "BY WAY OF REPORT". New York Times. p. X3.
- THOMAS F. BRADY (Sep 6, 1949). "AWARD OF 'OSCARS' SET FOR A THEATRE: RKO Pantages in Hollywood Is Donated to Film Academy for 1950 Presentations". New York Times. p. 24.
- Frank Daugherty (18 Nov 1949). "'Deported' Filmed in Italy". The Christian Science Monitor. p. 5.
- ""Deported" Stars Leave for Italian Location". Chicago Daily Tribune. Jan 1, 1950. p. E7.
- HARRY NIEMEYER ROME (Nov 6, 1949). "PROGRESS NOTE: On the Filming in Italy Of 'Deported'". New York Times. p. X4.
- "Jeff Chandler Back to Greet New Baby". Los Angeles Times. Oct 30, 1949. p. A2.
- THOMAS F. BRADY HOLLYWOOD. (Dec 18, 1949). "HOLLYWOOD NOTES: Buckner Plans Second Film in Italy Next Spring -- Fox Bows Out -- Bogart Explains". New York Times. p. X5.
- SCHEUER, PHLIP K. (Oct 29, 1950). "Jeff Chandler Finally Gets to 'Act His Age': Rising Young (31) Screens Player Considers Himself 'a Lucky Kid'". Los Angeles Times. p. D3.