MovieChat Forums > Kings Row (1942) Discussion > An Excellent Remake Could Be Achieved If...

An Excellent Remake Could Be Achieved If Faithful To The Book

posted 19 years ago by hoyteiii
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Normally I detest remakes of anything, however with Kings Row I would gladly make an exception. In 1942 when the film was made, the writers and director Sam Wood had to live by the production codes of the Hays Office. For those of you who have read the book you know how sugar coated the film was. Today a remake would be splendid. I guess that I am old fashion but I would like to see it done in black and white and the same beautiful soundtrack score used once again. This could easily be made into a good 3 plus hour movie that would definitely hold everyones attention with all of the story lines, twist and turns. I have not decided who I would personally like to see cast in the role's, but it would definitely have to be a ALL STAR cast. I just thought of one cast member. I could see Shirley MacLaine playing Parris Mitchell's wise old grandmother. She would be flawless. Any comments on who others might like to see in the various role's

[–] MadTom 19 years ago

***SPOILER ALERT!!!***

Mentally casting books that have yet to be made into movies, or casting movie remakes that have yet to be made, happens to be a "hobby" of mine.

Here's my cast for a remake of Kings Row:

Parris Mitchell..... Fred Savage
Drake McHugh..... Giovanni Ribisi
Randy Monaghan..... Alyson Hannigan
Cassandra Tower..... Brittany Snow
Dr. Henry Gordon..... Tom Wilkinson
Dr. Alexander Tower..... Jeff Daniels
Mrs. Harriet Gordon..... Jenny Agutter
Louise Gordon..... Brittany Murphy
Elise Sandor..... Jessica Boehrs
Madame Marie von Eln..... Maggie Smith
Colonel Skeffington..... James Garner

A few caveats:

To be faithful to Bellamann's original novel and its broader scope, it would need to be a miniseries or limited-run series. It would also have to have the darker ending of Parris signing off to have Louise committed, and Drake dying of his injuries. Also keep in mind that in the novel, the girl with whom Drake used to go skinny-dipping (with the two of them eventually losing their virginity together) and Cassandra were two different characters who were composited together for the movie. Erich Wolfgang Korngold's score would have to remain the basis for the soundtrack.

I've refrained from casting the characters as children (the skinny-dipping girl whose name I can't recall off the top of my head included) because kids grow so quickly that we couldn't keep up . There are plenty of talented child actors out there waiting for parts, like the main characters of Kings Row as children, to sink their teeth into and show what they're made of.

Many of these actors are not "all-stars" and/or are what some would consider has-beens, but IMO they all have the talent to carry their respective roles. I realize that Jessica Boehrs is better known as a singer than an actress, and I've only seen her in Eurotrip, but she seems just right for the part of Elise. If anyone out there thinks that Jeff Daniels wouldn't have the range to play Dr. Tower-- Parris' kindly mentor who rapes and then kills his own daughter-- go watch Gettysburg and Dumb and Dumber back to back!

[–] joeparkson 15 years ago

Even today, a faithful remake would be tough. Dr. Tower is molesting his own daughter to observe the effects on his own mind. He poisons her and himself when she tries to break free. He's a similar in that respect to Hannibal Lecter; brilliant psychiatrist, but very eveil.

Absurdity: A Statement or belief inconsistent with my opinion.

[–] LMayberry-2 19 years ago

I read both "Kings Row" and the sequel, "Parris Mitchell," and I think it could be a great TV series IF it would follow the books.

The street of houses at Warner Brothers built for the making of "Kings Row" is still there.

And they would have to use the Korngold music.

Since Parris' grandmother is French, I think Leslie Caron would be good.

For Drake, I would pick Neil Patrick Harris.

For Randy, Amber Tamblyn.

Alexis Bledel would be a good Cassie, and Dr. Tower should be Martin Sheen, since they have similar stunning blue eyes.

Ian McShane could do Dr. Gordon.

I will have to think a bit about the rest.

Linda

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/QuidNuncMartin

[–] GregoriusInLA 18 years ago

"
Alexis Bledel would be a good Cassie"

How about Gwyneth Paltrow for Cassie? I'll have to think of the rest of the cast.

"The dogs may bark, but the caravan passes on."

[–] LMayberry-2 18 years ago

I think Gwyneth is just a bit old for Cassie. About 10 years ago, she certainly could have done it. And her mother could have done Mrs. Tower.

Linda

http://www.martinsheen.net
http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/WWSpoilers/

[–] beccatx27 17 years ago

LMayberry-2, I was cringing at the thought until I read your ideas. You should be a casting director.

[–] LMayberry-2 17 years ago

beccatx27 - Thank you. I think I would be an excellent casting director. And believe it or not, I just met two of my casting choices last Saturday night - Neil Patrick Harris and Martin Sheen. I was at a play reading in which they both participated, and I stand by my choices.

Linda

http://www.martinsheen.net
http://www.imdb.com/mymovies/list?l=1640527

[–] macguffinlassie 16 years ago

Since Parris' grandmother is French, I think Leslie Caron would be good.

Are you sure? I seem to remember that she only seemed foreign because she knew several languages. Didn't she insist on conversing with Parris in French?

[–] LMayberry-2 16 years ago

I honestly can't remember if the book said she was French. Leslie Caron would still be good.

Linda

http://www.martinsheen.net
http://www.imdb.com/mymovies/list?l=1640527

[–] macguffinlassie 16 years ago

I just found my copy.
"She knew that people commented on her bearing and conduct and thought her peculiar and alien. That was silly. Her family had been in America long before the Revolution. Languages had simply been a tradition of the family. She wondered if speaking foreign languages gave one foreign ways."
Based on that, I'd have to say that Caron is too...French. I also noticed that virtually every Internet reference to the novel mentions Parris' "French grandmother." Talk about perpetrating inaccurate information!
I think it would be awfully difficult to adapt this as written to the screen--there are just too many characters and plot twists. Then of course, there's the miscegenation angle, which I seem to remember results in a suicide. No one is "allowed" to treat this (miscegenation--suicide is still okay) as a controversy anymore, even in retrospect--it violates P.C. principles. And I really doubt it would be set in 1890; it would probably have to be "updated." Period pieces are probably considered bad box office.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that even without the Hays office, I still doubt that this would be adapted faithfully.

[–] LMayberry-2 16 years ago

I also doubt that it could be faithfully adapted, but I think that a limited series that could do both "Kings Row" and "Parris Mitchell of Kings Row" would be great.

It just seems a shame that with great stories like this available, TV thinks we like to watch people making fools of themselves jumping through holes in walls and falling in water.

Linda

http://www.martinsheen.net
http://www.imdb.com/mymovies/list?l=1640527

[–] macguffinlassie 16 years ago

Yeah, I have to agree--we live in some really bizarre times. :(

[–] fcalderp 16 years ago

When I was writing my previous email to you on A Song To Remember, I started thinking of Kings Row (not knowing that you have entries on this film), because I believe Tyrone Power would have been perfect as Chopin (Power was my mother's favourite actor and she loved him in "Nithgmare Alley", a film that took me years to see!). Power was the original choice for Kings Row, but he had a contract with another company. So they cast Bob Cummings in the lead. This did not destroyed the film, but with Power it would have been more of a classic. Bob Cummings simply did not have star presence. Also, King Rows should have been in colour --and longer: too many things happen in too short a time. Ronald Reagan is memorable in it. Without checking on IMDB, can you tell me who is the actress who appeared in both, King Row and Payton Place?

[–] macguffinlassie 16 years ago

I don't mind that it's not in color--I think black & white suits it (personal opinion). But I have to admit that I don't know who the actress is to whom you're referring...not without peeking, anyway.
I think Cummings was a good choice, too--Tyrone Power was, I think, a bit too "big" a presence/personality for Parris, who was supposed to have been brought up in a rather "foreign," genteel way.
You ought to READ Nightmare Alley--it's a lot freakier than the film (and with a much more depressing ending)!

[–] ellichar 16 years ago

That's a no-brainer- BETTY FIELD- who was Cassie in "Kings Row" and downtrodden housekeeper Nellie Cross in "Peyton Place".

Regarding Parris' grandma- Madame Marie Von Eln was of French extraction, though her second husband was German. Parris' mother was her daughter from her first marriage. I'm still sticking to my previous idea of Angela Lansbury as Madame for a remake, though Caron is good too (her mother was British, just like another French icon, Jeanne Moreau, who could also play Madame).

[–] fcalderp 16 years ago

You're right. It's a no-brainer. But how many people in the world (or even in the US) would be able to answer that? How many people know who Betty Field is? Well, you can always say: Those who don't know, don't count! I'm glad you did know.

Here are my 3 favourite questions about the movies:

1. What's the name of the pictue Philippe Noiret projects from he's projection booth into the wall across the square, in Nuovo Cinema Paradiso? You can see a poster of this picture near the front door of the theatre, when people start running to save their lives.

2. In what picture did Rock Hudson and James Dean appear together before "Giant"?

3. In what picture did Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jnr., Richard Conte and Cesar Romero appear toghether after "Ocean's Eleven"?

There you have it!

franklin

[–] ellichar 16 years ago

I know #2 from the top: "Has Anybody Seen My Gal"- a Universal flick costarring Hudson and Piper Laurie. Dean has a bit part. As for the others, I don't know- maybe the other flick was either "Kings Go Forth" or "Some Came Running", which many consider the true start of the 'Rat Pack' films, as it starred Sinatra, Martin, and Rat Pack 'mascot' Shirley MacLaine. Maybe the others had camoes in either film.

[–] ellichar 17 years ago

Well, having read the novel, here are my choices:

Parris Mitchell: Jake Gyllenhaal
Drake McHugh: Ryan Gosling
Randy Monaghan: Natalie Portman
Cassandra Tower: Lindsay Lohan
Dr. Tower: Richard Gere
Madame von Eln: Angela Lansbury
Dr. Henry Gordon: Robert DeNiro
Mrs. Gordon: Barbara Hershey
Louise Gordon: Sarah Michelle Gellar
Col. Skeffington: Paul Newman
Mrs. Skeffington: Joanne Woodward
Anna: Anita Ekberg
Tod Monaghan: Nathan Lane
Mr. Monaghan: Paul Dooley
Jamie Wakefield: Justin Long
Mr. Wakefield: Miguel Ferrer
Mrs. Wakefield: Veronica Cartwright
Robert Caldicott: Ethan Hawke
Ludie Sims: Beth Ostrosky
Sam Winters: Clint Howard
Fulmer Green: Troy Garity
Benny Singer: T.R. Knight
Tom Carr: Gerard McRaney
Lucy Carr: Delta Burke (in a VERY fat suit)
Melissa St.George: Rashida Jones
Mr. St.George: Dennis Hopper
Vera Lichinsky: Anne Hathaway
Elise Sandor: Bryce Dallas Howard
Professor Sandor: Rutger Hauer
Herr Berdoff: Maxmillian Schell
Peyton Graves: Kiefer Sutherland
Patty Graves: Amanda Plummer
Miles Jackson: Bruce Dern
Father Donovan: Liam Neeson

The only way to film a remake is as a four-hour epic in 70mm with an intermission. At least that way most of the book can be filmed (let's face it, thanks to the Hays Office there was a LOT left out of the book when it was filmed in 1942). For a director, Martin Scorsese is on top of my list, followed by Steven Spielberg, Sydney Pollack, Francis Ford Coppola, Clint Eastwood, Ron Howard and Peter Jackson. Vittorio Storaro would be my choice as cinematographer. Also, I'd pick Randy Newman to compose the score (he did a great job with "Ragtime", which also took place circa 1900).

[–] rainingviolets 17 years ago

I don't know what the rating would be if it were Really faithful to the book

how about

Colin Farrell for Parris
Jake Gyllenhall for Drake
Kate Bosworth for Randy
Kristin Kruick for Cassandra
absolute must-for the Korngold music score

[–] octoberbest 17 years ago

I think a high-quality remake as a miniseries is in order. I enjoyed the book more than I have any other, probably, and I really like the original movie. The filmmakers did a great job considering they had to leave out so much of what made the book famous. The music, the cinematography, the acting in the original-- all brilliant. But so much of the story was left untold. Ten/fifteen years later Peyton Place came out, and that became a smash hit... that much later they were able to incorporate more scandal. Now everyone remembers the book and movie Peyton Place and many fewer remember Kings Row. I haven't read Peyton Place but from what I remember from the movie, it didn't hold a candle to Kings Row.

I've cringed at some of the casting choices I've read... I don't think it requires an all-star cast. All good actors, yes. All stars, no. The children especially should be unknowns.

The only ideas I have are Dominic Monaghan for Renee's father (he is very good at accents) and Kenneth Branagh for either of the doctors. It's really too bad that Claude Rains isn't still alive. He's such a good, chilling Dr. Tower. Character actors rather than total stars would be an asset. I'd rather see Shirley MacLaine play Drake's aunt Minnie.

I'd love to see one filmed here in the Midwest, which is, of course, where the story takes place. I really think it should be filmed on location-- movies that are have such a better feel. Another thought would be to incorporate the sequel book, Parris Mitchell of Kings Row. Not much happens in it compared with the first, and it is relatively short, but it does wrap up a loose end or two, and the ending is much more hopeful. A four or six hour miniseries might do the trick. I'd like to see more scenes in Europe than in the original.

I haven't read the book in years. That's all for now.

Jesus loves me, this I know...

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Harold_Robbins 12 years ago

Having just read the Bellamann novel, and being in the midst of watching the 1942 film, I agree with an early post in this thread that suggested a TV miniseries - it's too bad the TV miniseries is essentially dead in the US, except for cable networks like Starz, for that would indeed be the ideal format for a novel such as KINGS ROW with its many characters (most of whom weren't in the movie) and multiple story-lines and themes, which could be explored and portray today as they couldn't be in the early 1940s.

"In my case, self-absorption is completely justified."

[–] thundercloud47 12 years ago

My thought on this was that the movie should be filmed in Fulton, Mo. That's the town Bellaman was actually writing about.

After giving it more thought I decided it could not really be done even though many of the old houses from Bellaman's time are still standing. I know this because I live near there. However the State Hospital that has a major role in the book has changed drastically. Almost all of the old buildings there are gone. Those were torn down in the late 80's early 90's. The old buildings were a great setting for a dark and gloomy movie.

The book used to be banned in Fulton and Callaway County because even though names were changed all the locals knew who he was writing about. It took quite awhile but the book and movie are now a source of civic pride. If a film were to be done there they'd get lots of cooperation.

[–] blondee661 12 years ago

I think this could make a good mini-series if done well, I could see HBO doing it, being a cable channel they could get away with more stuff too.

I don't know who I would cast though for the roles, but for some strange reason I could see Jessica Chastain as Cassie, I think she could pull it off. I think Amanda Seyfried would make a good Louise. I could see Amy Adams or Bryce Dallas Howard as Randy. I also can see Eddie Redmayne as Parris and Joseph Gordon Levitt as Drake.

[–] Zuider_Zee 10 years ago

Agreed. I find most remakes to be unnecessary and less than the original but it would be great to see an unsanitized version. It is a killer novel and this film doesn't come close to bringing it to life.

[–] castiggy-89163 9 years ago

An excellent director and screenplay would be essential, no matter which actors are chosen. A story like this one could easily turn into vulgar crap in the wrong hands.

I am happy that previous posts decided Gwyneth Paltrow is too old to be Cassie. She's lousy.

I don't drink...wine.