All the Fine Young Cannibals
1960 film
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All the Fine Young Cannibals is a 1960 American drama film directed by Michael Anderson, starring Robert Wagner, Natalie Wood, Susan Kohner, George Hamilton, and Pearl Bailey.[3] Hamilton said that the film "combined Southern Gothic with a biopic of jazzman Chet Baker."[4] It was loosely based on The Bixby Girls, a 1957 novel by Rosamond Marshall that was set in the World War I era.
| All the Fine Young Cannibals | |
|---|---|
Original movie poster by Reynold Brown | |
| Directed by | Michael Anderson |
| Written by | Robert Thom |
| Based on | novel The Bixby Girls by Rosamond Marshall |
| Produced by | Pandro S. Berman |
| Starring | Robert Wagner Natalie Wood Susan Kohner George Hamilton |
| Cinematography | William H. Daniels |
| Edited by | John McSweeney, Jr. |
| Music by | Jeff Alexander |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Loew's Inc.[1] |
Release date |
|
Running time | 112 min. |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $1,638,000[2] |
| Box office | $1,810,000[2] |
Plot
Two young people in love, musician Chad Bixby and Sarah "Salome" Davis, are forced apart despite the latter's pregnancy. They marry others, but are brought back together by chance. A downtrodden blues singer mothers Bixby while guiding his career.
Cast
- Robert Wagner as Chad Bixby
- Natalie Wood as Sarah "Salome" Davis
- Susan Kohner as Catherine McDowall
- George Hamilton as Tony McDowall
- Pearl Bailey as Ruby
- Jack Mullaney as Putney Tinker
- Onslow Stevens as Joshua Davis
- Anne Seymour as Mrs. Bixby
- Virginia Gregg as Ada Davis
- Mabel Albertson as Mrs. McDowall
- Louise Beavers as Rose
Production
All the Fine Young Cannibals was the first film that Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood made together.[5] George Hamilton says that director Vincente Minnelli shot some scenes when Michael Anderson was unavailable, including an ending for the film that was not used.[6]
Wagner's character is loosely based on the jazz trumpeter Chet Baker.[7]
Reception
Box office
According to MGM records, the film earned $950,000 in the U.S. and Canada, and $860,000 elsewhere, resulting in a loss of $1,108,000.[2]
Critical
Filmink argued "it’s not a very good movie – director Michael Anderson seems ill at ease with the material, which needed a Douglas Sirk, and the talented cast are allowed to over act. "[8]
Influence
The film's title was later taken by the English band Fine Young Cannibals.[9][8]