The first time I saw GD, in the late forties, there was a longer opening sequence with the intrepid heroes in the pub before the fight starts. Later versions of the movie do not include that additional and important context for the story.
Anybody know whether the 117 minute original version is available?
Thx.
I've seen an awful lot of movies and a lot of awful movies...
I just purchased and watched a 117 minute cut of the film but there was no such pub scene in it. When we first glimpse the trio they're already engaged in the fight with the Scots over the bogus emerald map.
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Well - I guess that means George Stevens had an even longer print, because I vividly recall that pub scene where Grant, McLaglan and Fairbanks are looking over the treasure map and are set upon by the Scots. The bar fight ensues because McLaglan mocks the other outfit (in his usual fashion).
I guess I'll have to keep looking.
I've seen an awful lot of movies and a lot of awful movies...
The first time I saw GD, in the late forties, there was a longer opening sequence with the intrepid heroes in the pub before the fight starts. Later versions of the movie do not include that additional and important context for the story.
Now you've done it! I grew up with a shortened verion which left out the whole first ten or fifteen minutes (starting with the vulture sitting on the telegraph pole) and the voiceover of the opening lines of Kipling's poem.
When I finally saw a (what I thought was) a complete version, I cheered. Now you say there is yet more footage??! This I hadn't heard. It makes sense, what with Cary Grant's remark, "Oh! Here's the fellow that sold me the map!", but I hadn't heard of it's existence. Nor have I seen any references during a cursory exploration of Google. Are you sure?
cinefreak
Sorry to be so long to reply...;)
You ask: "Are you sure?"
But, yes, I'm sure: after the voice over, the movie opens in the pub with Grant and McLagen discussing how to keep Fairbanks from marrying and leaving the service. The only way to keep him, they think, is to entice him with the lure of treasure - so when he joins them at the pub, they show him the map. He's interested but doubtful. And while they are arguing, a group of Scots Guards walk in for a drink, one of whom makes a disparaging comment about England. And so, the fight is on...a rip-snorter, and screamingly funny.
If you ever come across that longer version, do tell. Please!
Thanks for your feedback and interest.
I've seen an awful lot of movies and a lot of awful movies...
If you ever come across that longer version, do tell. Please!
Likewise!
cinefreak
For sure, cinefreak. Absolutely! ;)
I've seen an awful lot of movies and a lot of awful movies...
Further to this issue of original run time, looks like there must be a version with a run time of well over 117 minutes.
Because, on late TV recently, I taped another showing. The run time, including credits, was 116 minutes and 45 seconds. However, this showing still lacked the missing scenes that come before Higgenbottom arriving to extract the three friends from the fight in the tavern.
Like I said, in an earlier post, that back-story went on for perhaps 15 to 20 minutes; I can't be sure of the exact view time. But, I am sure that it was in the first version I viewed back around 1954 or 1955.
Anybody know who's handling old RKO prints? Anybody got a name or company I could contact?
Thanks.
I've seen an awful lot of movies and a lot of awful movies...
George Stevens Jr. hosted a special showing of GD years ago at the AFI(DC). This included scenes of Reginald Sherffield(Johnny's father) being identified as Rudyard Kipling. The first comes during the relief expedition's march when Montague Love directs a question to Kipling. The second comes when Loves reads the poem at the end of the movie.
Kipling's family apparently objected to his being portrayed and had all references to him cut from the film. In the second scene a wagon was apparently moved to block Sheffield from view.
Stevens, if memory serves me correctly after all these years, made no reference to any other footage. He called GD a family film which his father brought out for birthdays.
While I'm thinking about it, the Special Edition for Randolph Scott's 7 Men from Now contains a documentary on Lone Pine where GD and numerous westerns were filmed.
Thanks for the feedback, pj..
Well, all I can say is that my older brother also saw the same extra footage when we both saw the movie in the early fifties. Because, a few years back, I asked him to reflect on the first half-hour and describe it in detail. He described almost exactly what I also recall, with no prompting from me.
But, I very much appreciate your interest.
I've seen an awful lot of movies and a lot of awful movies...
I forget if I mentioned the special edition of Randolph Scott's 7 Men from Now which contains a documentary on Lone Pine where GD was filmed. It turns up in numerous westerns.
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