Michael Anderson directed the melodrama All the Fine Young Cannibals starring Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood in their first film together.
Other cast memnbers include Susan Kohner, George Hamilton, and Pearl Bailey.
Grade: C+ (** out of *****)
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Loosely based on The Bixby Girls, a 1957 novel by Rosamond Marshall, set in the World War I era, this strange film mixed elements of Southern Gothic with sort of a biopic of jazzman Chet Baker.
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 (Pearl Bailey) mothers Bixby while guiding his career.
Director Vincente Minnelli shot some scenes when Michael Anderson was unavailable, including an ending for the film that was not used.
Wagner’s character is very loosely based on the jazz trumpeter Chet Baker.
The film earned $950,000 in the U.S., and $860,000 elsewhere, resulting in loss of $1,108,000.
The film’s title was later taken by the English band “Fine Young Cannibals.”
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
Credits
Directed by Michael Anderson
Written by Robert Thom, based on novel “The Bixby Girls” by Rosamond Marshall
Produced by Pandro Berman
Cinematography William H. Daniels
Edited by John McSweeney, Jr.
Music by Jeff Alexander
Production and Distributed: MGM/ Loew’s Inc.
Release date: Sep 15, 1960
Running time: 112 min.
Budget $1,638,000
Box office $1,810,000
