Rogues' Regiment is a 1948 film noir action film directed by Robert Florey and starring Dick Powell, Märta Torén, and Vincent Price. It is the first American feature film to be set in the First Indochina War.
| Rogues' Regiment | |
|---|---|
 Original film poster | |
| Directed by | Robert Florey |
| Written by | Robert Buckner |
| Based on | original story by Robert Buckner Robert Florey |
| Produced by | Robert Buckner |
| Starring | Dick Powell Märta Torén Vincent Price |
| Cinematography | Maury Gertsman |
| Edited by | Ralph Dawson |
| Music by | Daniele Amfitheatrof |
Production company | Robert Buckner Productions |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 86 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $1.8 million[1] |
Plot
editAn American Intelligence Agent and Nazi hunter is on the trail of a former SS war criminal reminiscent of Martin Bormann[2] believed to be hiding in the French Foreign Legion in French Indochina. He joins forces with a French Intelligence agent investigating supplies of weapons to the Việt Minh from the Eastern Bloc.
Cast
edit- Dick Powell as Whit Corbett
- Märta Torén as Lili Maubert
- Vincent Price as Mark Van Ratten
- Stephen McNally as Martin Bruener a.k.a. Carl Reicher
- Edgar Barrier as Colonel Mauclaire
- Henry Rowland as Erich Otto Heindorf
- Carol Thurston as Li-Ho-Kay
- James Millican as Cobb
- Richard Loo as Kao Pang
- Philip Ahn as Tran Duy Gian
- Richard Fraser as Rycroft
- Otto Reichow as Stein
- Kenny Washington as Sam Latch
- Dennis Dengate as O'Hara
- Frank Conroy as Colonel Lemercier
- Martin Garralaga as Hazeret
- James Nolan as American Colonel (James F. Nolan)
- Paul Coze as French Commander (also acted as film's technical adviser)
Production
editMax Ophüls was hoping to direct the film but was passed over in favour of Robert Florey.[3]
The film was first announced in November 1947 with writer-producer Robert Buckner saying he was inspired by stories of former Nazis enlisting in the French Foreign Legion. In particular he researched the disappearance of Martin Bormann.[4]
Edmond O'Brien was originally announced as star. It was made shortly after the production of another film about the French Foreign Legion, Outpost in Morocco. Burt Lancaster was sought for a supporting part.[5]
In March 1948 it was announced Universal signed Dick Powell to play the lead.[6] Edmond O'Brien dropped out of the film to make a movie with Deanna Durbin.[7]
It was meant to be the 60th film directed by Robert Florey at Universal.[8]
Release
editThe Los Angeles Times said the film had an "arresting premise" which "went the way of just another cops and robbers chase".[9]
The New York Times wrote that "if this man-hunt for a vicious, top-flight Nazi in the environs of Saigon bears more than a passing resemblance to a dozen other film chases of recent vintage, mark it down as topical, at least. If credibility is by-passed more than once, it is all done briskly and with good will."[10]
Adaptation
editIn 1951 Dick Powell reprised his role in a radio adaptation of the film on Screen Directors Playhouse.
References
edit- ^ "Top Grossers of 1949". Variety. 4 January 1950. p. 59.
- ^ "THE SCREEN IN REVIEW; ' Rogues' Regiment,' with Dick Powell Hunting Nazi Official, Opens at Loew's Criterion". The New York Times. 20 December 1948.
- ^ p.200 Bacher, Lutz Max Ophuls in the Hollywood Studios 1996 Rutgers University Press
- ^ "Bormann, Hitler's Missing Deputy, Alive in Hiding, Author Believes". Los Angeles Times. Oct 4, 1948. p. A8.
- ^ THOMAS F. BRADY (Nov 15, 1947). "U-I TO DO NEW FILM ON FOREIGN LEGION: Edmund O'Brien Set for Role in 'Rogues Regiment,' Movie on Unit in Indo-China". New York Times. p. 11.
- ^ THOMAS F. BRADY (Mar 3, 1948). "FILM CONTROVERSY IS TAKEN TO COURT: Feldman Sues for $1,000,000 in Row Over Movie Rights to Gerald Butler's Novel". New York Times. p. 28.
- ^ THOMAS F. BRADY (Mar 4, 1948). "WARNER FILM LEAD TO VIVECA LINDFORS: Actress Will Star in 'Be Nice to Emily,' Comedy by Taylor -- Gottleib is Producer". New York Times. p. 30.
- ^ "FLOREY GUIDES 60 FILMS AT U". Los Angeles Times. Nov 26, 1948. p. 21.
- ^ SCHEUER, PHILILP K. (Nov 18, 1948). "Powell Pursues Ex-Nazi Into 'Rogues' Regiment'". Los Angeles Times. p. B8.
- ^ Review of film at New York Times