Donovan's Reef (1963)

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  • DONOVAN'S REEF


    PRODUCED AND DIRECTED BY JOHN FORD
    MUSIC BY CYRIL J. MOCKRIDGE
    JOHN FORD PRODUCTIONS
    PARAMOUNT PICTURES


    Photo with the courtesy of lasbugas


    INFORMATION FROM IMDb


    Plot Summary
    'Guns' Donovan prefers carousing with his pals Doc Dedham and 'Boats' Gilhooley,
    until Dedham's high-society daughter Amelia shows up in their South Seas paradise.
    Summary written by Jim Beaver


    Full Cast
    John Wayne .... Michael Patrick 'Guns' Donovan
    Lee Marvin .... Thomas Aloysius 'Boats' Gilhooley
    Elizabeth Allen .... Ameilia Sarah Dedham
    Jack Warden .... Dr. William Dedham
    Cesar Romero .... Marquis Andre de Lage
    Dick Foran .... Australian Navy Officer
    Dorothy Lamour .... Miss Lafleur
    Marcel Dalio .... Father Cluzeot
    Mike Mazurki .... Sergeant Monk Menkowicz
    Jacqueline Malouf .... Lelani Dedham
    Cherylene Lee .... Sally Dedham
    Jeffrey Byron .... Luki Dedham (as Tim Stafford)
    Edgar Buchanan .... Boston Attorney
    Jon Fong .... Mister Eu
    Frank Baker .... Captain Martin (uncredited)
    Carmen Estrabeau .... Sister Gabrielle (uncredited)
    Harold Fong .... Sells Ameilia a swimsuit (uncredited)
    Dan Ford .... Child (uncredited)
    Duke Green .... Mate (uncredited)
    Sam Harris .... Family council member (uncredited)
    Fred Jones .... Family council member (uncredited)
    June Y. Kim .... Servant (uncredited)
    Carl M. Leviness .... Family council member (uncredited)
    King Lockwood .... Lawyer (uncredited)
    Cliff Lyons .... Australian Navy officer (uncredited)
    Mae Marsh .... Family council member (uncredited)
    Michelle Mazurki .... (uncredited)
    Ron Nyman .... Naval officer (uncredited)
    Yvonne Peattie .... Sister Matthew (uncredited)
    John Qualen .... Deck hand who cries 'Man Overboard' (uncredited)
    Chuck Roberson .... Festus (uncredited)
    Scott Seaton .... Family council member (uncredited)
    Charles Seel .... Grand uncle Sedley Atterbury (uncredited)
    Mickey Simpson .... Crewman Gilhooley hits with Mop (uncredited)
    John Stafford .... Child (uncredited)
    Sara Taft .... Family council member (uncredited)
    Ralph Volkie .... James (uncredited)
    Aissa Wayne .... Native girl (uncredited)
    Patrick Wayne .... Navy Lieutenant (uncredited)
    Lee Wood ... Islander (uncredited)


    Writing credits
    Edmund Beloin story
    James Edward Grant
    James Michener story (uncredited)
    Frank S. Nugent (as Frank Nugent)


    Original Music
    Cyril J. Mockridge
    G. Savoca (song "The Monkeys Have No Tails in Zamboanga") (uncredited)


    Cinematography
    William H. Clothier


    Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
    Wingate Smith .... assistant director


    Stunts
    Duke Green .... stunts (uncredited)
    Tom Hennesy .... stunts (uncredited)
    Cliff Lyons .... stunts (uncredited)
    Hal Needham .... stunts (uncredited)
    Leo C. Richmond .... stunts (uncredited)
    Chuck Roberson .... stunts (uncredited)


    Trivia
    This is the technically last movie that John Ford and John Wayne worked on together, although Wayne later provided the voice-over narration for Ford's documentary Chesty: A Tribute to a Legend (1976).


    Actor John Qualen dubbed the voice of the sailor who yells "Man overboard!" in the opening scene, though it is not Qualen on-screen.


    During the scene where Amelia is wishing to "charter the Araner", Donovan states that he owns the Araner and a boat named the Inisfree. Inisfree is the name of the village in Ireland in which The Quiet Man (1952), another John Wayne / John Ford film, takes place.


    Actor Mickey Simpson is sometimes mistakenly credited as the mate hit with a mop by Lee Marvin in the opening scene. It is not Simpson but Duke Green.


    In a fight with Lee Marvin, John Wayne underestimated an uppercut. He crashed through a table and fell down. Director John Ford decided to leave the scene in the movie.


    Ameilia asks the captain "to charter the Araner." That was the real name of John Ford's yacht, which is the yacht used in the movie.


    In the beginning, Gilhooley tells the captain who "shanghai'd" him that they were supposed to be at the island "on the 7th". Taking into account the time-line of the movie, ending on Christmas, that would make Donovan and Gilhooley's birthday as December 7th, the anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.


    "Boats" is Navy slang for the rating of *Boatswain's Mate*. "Guns" is Navy slang for the rating of *Gunner's Mate*.


    In the movie Donovan and Gilhooley are supposed to share December 7th for their birthday. In real life, Mike Mazurki (Sgt. Monk Menkowicz) was born December 25, 1907.


    Patrick Wayne, John Wayne's son, has a small cameo - he plays the Australian Shore Patrol officer that breaks up the final fight.



    Goofs
    * Continuity: Ameilia loses her stockings after falling in the water.


    * Continuity: When Amelia first starts skiing, she loses her bathing cap. After falling in the water, the cap is back on her head.


    * Continuity: Ameilia presents Gilhooley with a Christmas present then goes out back of the bar to confront Donovan. When she returns, not more than a couple of minutes later, Gilhooley already has the train set put together on the bar and is playing with it.


    * Crew or equipment visible: On the road when the children are forced to leave their home to move in with Donovan, the shadow of the camera is visible on the people as they walk by.


    Memorable Quotes


    Filming Location
    Kaua`i, Hawaii, USA
    Waimea Canyon, Kaua'i, Hawaii, USA


    Watch this Trailer


    [extendedmedia]

    [/extendedmedia]

    Best Wishes
    Keith
    London- England

    Edited 9 times, last by ethanedwards ().

  • Donovan's Reef is a 1963 American film starring John Wayne.
    It was directed by John Ford and filmed on location on Kauai, Hawaii.


    The cast included Elizabeth Allen, Lee Marvin, Dorothy Lamour, and Cesar Romero.
    The film marked the last time Ford and Wayne ever worked together on a project.


    The last and final film together, Ford intended another 'Rip roaring, comedy'
    However, it didn't quite work, and as Ford was now past his sell by date,
    it made matters worse.
    However, I enjoyed the film, and particularly the title music, "Pearly Shells",
    The story was fair, and the paring of Duke and Lee Marvin, a good one.
    There was good chemistry, and it was obvious the pair got on professionally,
    and from all accounts....socially!!!


    Pilar Wayne, said that Lee Marvin, was constantly drunk and a confused person!!
    Elizabeth provided a not too bad, love interest.
    This was, however, to be the last time Duke was to lust,
    over a much younger woman.


    His days were numbered as a leading man, lover role.
    After this, his father/grandfather roles came to the fore,
    and as we know from his later films,
    they were roles, that he looked comfortable, and at ease with.
    The film bordered at time, on childish humour, with a good spattering
    of Duke's, " Who me?" and 'knocked over the head looks'!
    Overall, a contrived and poor picture, but not too bad as entertainment.



    User Review

    Best Wishes
    Keith
    London- England

    Edited 5 times, last by ethanedwards ().

  • Hi


    I agree that Donovan's Reef if taken as pure fun is a reasonable movie. However it didn't sit well with some people who were uncomfortable about suggested racial undertones.


    Personally I think you would have to be a sad person to look for that in a picture, but obviously there are some that do.


    I must admit that I am surprised that Ford used Lee Marvin after their exchanges during the Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, but as they said Ford was becoming way past his sell by date.



    Regards


    Arthur

    Walk Tall - Talk Low

  • Hi,
    I have been researching all the threads, back to the start of the JWMB,
    looking for previous discussion, relating to the movies.
    I have found the following, comments, and have copied them here,
    so that they are now under one forum:-


    Donovan's Reef

    Best Wishes
    Keith
    London- England

    Edited 3 times, last by ethanedwards ().

  • I'm one of those who loves this movie for different reasons.

    John Ford knew how to pick a location.

    Dad was in the Army stationed in Hawaii when I was a kid. We lived there for two years.
    The location on "Reef" reminds me of the beauty of the Islands.

    There is the connection of the Second World War in the Pacific and these men were sailors. I'm a Navy vet. and really like Dukes Navy charaters/movies.

    Grant it this movie is not Fort Apache which the first time I saw it I hated it. I could not stand Henry Fonda's character. It took watching it about three times before I saw it for what it was. Looking at the scenery, the story line, the era.
    This movie had complexities "Reef" does not have and should not have.

    "Reef" is post war a time of trying to take in the beauty of the islands they fought and died on. This was home during the war where their friends lived and died and they took ownership of sorts.

    Living a light hearted easy going life, a piece of heaven.

    So no it's no great work of the cinema. But in my estimation a movie worth watching if nothing else for the fun of it.

    "Republic. I like the sound of that word"


    Davy Crockett, The Alamo

  • Hi



    I've had this photograph in my collection for some time but I think this is the first time I've shown it. Don't know why? it's not a bad photo advertising not a bad film.

    Regards

    Arthur

    Walk Tall - Talk Low

  • Have to admit I am not fussed on this movie.


    It should have been a knockabout movie but as Keith says Ford was past his best and it doent have enough to keep you interested.



    Mike

  • I have to say I enjoy this film! No there isn't alot of depth in it but it is enjoyable and I think it shows the Dukes ability to portray a funny character.


    And too the scenery can't be beat! No it's not deep but it is a fun film.

    Tbone



    "I have tried to live my life so that my family would love me and my friends respect me. The others can do whatever the hell they please."

  • Jim,


    I thought the experience was wonderful,
    as you can appreiate it's quite a haul,
    for us guys to take on a vacation like that!
    Incidently, for our connections
    we flew in through SF
    and on the way back through LA!

    Best Wishes
    Keith
    London- England

  • Jim,


    At the time, we had a toddler, was a bit hesitant
    about exploring.
    However I was in SF fo a week in th '70's.
    I drove down from Vancouver to SF
    in a big black Buick, camping
    on the way down,
    in Washington and Oregon,
    great experience!
    Camping on the Pacific coast was magic!
    Incidently it was exactly the same time
    when Mt. St. Helens blew it's top,
    the weather was wierd.

    Best Wishes
    Keith
    London- England

  • Hi all,
    I wathched this movie today for the first time. I was always postponding purchasing it, becouse for me it is too the last of Duke-Ford movies, which I had't see before. One reason was - want to have something bright left for myself in future.

    And I wasn't dissapointed, but exited aftre seeing it. I think this movie is underrated. It was shot after dark and moody The Man Who Shot Liberty Vilance - in which Old West is changing so much and it seems nothing left for man to stand for.

    But in this light comedy Ford put so many things he loved - islands, Araner, Christmas Service (last one with a touch of irony - Lee Marvin as a wise King of USA) and it is so human. And of course nice man charecters. Duke on the lead.

    I love this movie.

    Regards,
    Senta