Reap The Wild Wind (1942)

INFORMATION FROM IMDb

Plot Summary
Clipper ships taking the shortest route between the Mississippi and the Atlantic
often end up on the shoals of Key West in the 1840s.
Salvaging the ships' cargos has become a lucrative business for two companies --
one headed by a feisty young woman.
Then she falls in love with the captain of a wrecked ship while he recuperates at her home.
She travels to Charleston and is charming to the man most likely to be head of the captain's company,
thinking she will be able to get the captain the position he wants on the company's first steam ship.
Summary written by Dale O'Connor

Full Cast
Ray Milland .... Mr. Stephen 'Steve' Tolliver
John Wayne .... Captain Jack Stuart
Paulette Goddard .... Loxi Claiborne
Raymond Massey .... King Cutler
Robert Preston .... Dan Cutler
Lynne Overman .... Capt. Phillip 'Phil' Philpott
Susan Hayward .... Cousin Drusilla Alston
Charles Bickford .... Bully Brown (mate of the Tyfib)
Walter Hampden .... Cmmdre. Devereaux
Louise Beavers .... Maum Maria, the Claiborne Maid
Martha O'Driscoll .... Ivy Devereaux
Elisabeth Risdon .... Mrs. Claiborne
Hedda Hopper .... Aunt Henrietta Beresford
Victor Kilian .... Mathias Widgeon
Oscar Polk .... Salt Meat
Janet Beecher .... Mrs. Mottram
Ben Carter .... Chinkapin
William 'Wee Willie' Davis .... The Lamb (as William Davis)
Lane Chandler .... Sam
Davison Clark .... Judge Will Marvin
Louis Merrill .... Captain of 'Pelican' (as Lou Merrill)
Frank M. Thomas .... Dr. Jepson
Keith Richards .... Capt. Carruthers
Victor Varconi .... Lubbock (Cutler henchman)
J. Farrell MacDonald .... Port Captain
Harry Woods .... Mace, Cutler Henchman
Raymond Hatton .... Master Shipwright
Milburn Stone .... Lt. Farragut
Dave Wengren .... 'Claiborne' lookout
Tony Paton .... Cadge
Barbara Britton .... Charleston Lady
Julia Faye .... Charleston Lady
Ameda Lambert .... Charleston Lady
D'Arcy Miller .... Charleston beau
Bruce Warren .... Charleston beau
Eric Alden .... Slim ('Falcon' crewman) (uncredited)
Richard Alexander .... Stoker Boss (uncredited)
C.E. Anderson .... Juror (uncredited)
George Anderson .... Jailer (uncredited)
James O. Anderson .... Call boy in cafe (uncredited)
Stanley Andrews .... Turnkey (uncredited)
Sam Appel .... Juror (uncredited)
Gertrude Astor .... Woman (uncredited)
George Barton .... Joe, 'Falcon' Crewman (uncredited)
Colin Blair .... Guest in Ballroom (uncredited)
Monte Blue .... Officer at Tea (uncredited)
Sven Hugo Borg .... Blackie, 'Falcon' Crewman (uncredited)
Edward Brady .... 'Pelican' Crewman (uncredited)
Al Bridge .... Cutler Man in Barrel Room (uncredited)
George Bruggeman .... Gus, 'Claiborne' Crewman (uncredited)
Stella Mary Burgess .... Guest in Ballroom (uncredited)
William Cabanne .... Guest at Ball (uncredited)
Wheaton Chambers .... Lawyer (uncredited)
Jack Chapin .... Clem, 'Claiborne' Pump Man (uncredited)
Tom Chatterton .... Parson (uncredited)
Jack Clifford .... 'Pelican' Crewman (uncredited)
David Clyde .... Old Director (uncredited)
Tom Conlon .... Man in Ballroom (uncredited)
Maurice Costello .... (uncredited) (unconfirmed)
Mary Currier .... Waltzing Dowager in Ballroom (uncredited)
Max Davidson .... Juror (uncredited)
Harry Dean .... Juror (uncredited)
Cecil B. DeMille .... Prologue Speaker (voice) (uncredited)
Richard de Mille .... Man (uncredited) (unconfirmed)
Jerome DeNuccio .... George, 'Falcon' Crewman (uncredited)
Helen Dickson .... Woman in Ballroom (uncredited)
Jack Dixon .... Guest in Ballroom (uncredited)
Laurie Douglas .... Guest at Ball (uncredited)
Jimmie Dundee .... Galley Growler (uncredited)
Ralph Dunn .... 'Jubilee' Lookout (uncredited)
Sarah Edwards .... Dowager at Tea (uncredited)
William Elmer .... Juror (uncredited)
Richard Elmore .... 'Claiborne' Cabin Boy (uncredited)
Hassan Ezzat .... Cuban on Charleston Packet (uncredited)
William D. Faralla .... Cliff, 'Falcon' Crewman (uncredited)
Al Ferguson .... Cutler Man in Barrel Room (uncredited)
Frank Ferguson .... Snaith, Co-Counsel (uncredited)
James Flavin .... Father of Girl (uncredited)
Sam Flint .... Surgeon (uncredited)
Byron Foulger .... Bixby, Devereaux Courier (uncredited)
Christian J. Frank .... Juror (uncredited)
Jerry Franks Jr. .... Pedro, 'Falcon' Crewman (uncredited)
Kenneth Gibson .... 30-Year Old Devereaux Clerk (uncredited)
James Gillette .... Ivy's Waltzing Partner (uncredited)
Fred Graham .... Jake, on Spongeboat (uncredited)
George Guhl .... Man on Street (uncredited)
William Haade .... Second Mate of 'Jubilee' (uncredited)
Frank Hagney .... Cutler Man in Barrell Room (uncredited)
Chuck Hamilton .... Bosco, 'Tyfib' Bosun (uncredited)
Mildred Harris .... Dancing Lady (uncredited)
Oscar 'Dutch' Hendrian .... Second Mate of Charleston Packet (uncredited)
Robert Homans .... Captain in Cafe (uncredited)
Bob Ireland .... Roger, 'Falcon' Crewman (uncredited)
Eugene Jackson .... Dr. Jepson's Black Servant (uncredited)
Clarke Jennings .... Ed, 'Falcon' Crewman (uncredited)
Carmencita Johnson .... Girl with Oilskins (uncredited)
Jack W. Johnston .... Devereaux Clerk (uncredited)
Emmett King .... Old Gentleman in Ballroom (uncredited)
Stubby Kruger .... Pat, 'Claiborne' Crewman (uncredited)
Frank Lackteen .... Cutler Man in Barrel Room (uncredited)
Ethan Laidlaw .... Tony, 'Falcon' Crewman (uncredited)
Hope Landin .... Dowager in Ballroom (uncredited)
Louise La Planche .... Guest at Ball (uncredited)
Larry Lawson .... Frank, 'Claiborne' Crewman (uncredited)
Laura Lee .... Southern Belle (uncredited)
Elmo Lincoln .... Man (uncredited)
Leota Lorraine .... Woman in Ballroom (uncredited)
Jack Luden .... Southern Gentleman at Tea (uncredited)
George Magrill .... Mike, 'Claiborne' Crewman (uncredited)
Tony Martelli .... Juror (uncredited)
Jim Mason .... 'Pelican' Crewman (uncredited)
Carl Mathews .... Stevedore (uncredited)
Claire McDowell .... Ettie, in Ballroom (uncredited)
Cyril McLaglen .... Srevedore (uncredited)
George Melford .... Devereaux Banker (uncredited)
John Merkyl .... Southern Gentleman (uncredited)
John Merton .... 'Pelican' Crewman (uncredited)
Robert Milasch .... Juror (uncredited)
King Mojave .... Art, 'Falcon' Crewman (uncredited)
Richard Neill .... Old Gentleman at Tea (uncredited)
Ottola Nesmith .... Dowager at Tea (uncredited)
Wally O'Connor .... Hugh, 'Falcon' Crewman (uncredited)
Nestor Paiva .... Man with Suspenders (uncredited)
Emory Parnell .... Jailer (uncredited)
Edward Peil Sr. .... Bailiff (uncredited)
Buddy Pepper .... Call Boy in Cafe (uncredited)
Gil Perkins .... Southern Cross Leadsman (uncredited)
John Power .... Juror (uncredited)
Lee Prather .... Court Clerk (uncredited)
Houghton Ralph .... Buck, 'Falcon' Crewman (uncredited)
George Reed .... Black Servant at Tea (uncredited)
Frank Richards .... Cutler Man in Barrel Room (uncredited)
Constantine Romanoff .... Pete, on Sponge Boat (uncredited)
Mel Ruick .... Man in Ballroom (uncredited)
Ynez Seabury .... Woman in Ballroom (uncredited)
Dorothy Sebastian .... Woman in Ballroom (uncredited)
Allen D. Sewall .... Juror (uncredited)
Frank Shannon .... Captain in Cafe (uncredited)
Mildred Shay .... Girl in Match Sequence (uncredited)
Ray Spiker .... Stan, 'Falcon' Crewman (uncredited)
Will Stanton .... Rat-Faced Man (uncredited)
Jack Sterling .... Lars, 'Claiborne' Crewman (uncredited)
Hayden Stevenson .... Lawyer (uncredited)
John St. Polis .... Devereaux Foreign Agent (uncredited)
Leo Sulky .... Juror (uncredited)
Akim Tamiroff .... Voice of Chinkapin (voice) (uncredited)
Forrest Taylor .... Devereaux Treasurer (uncredited)
Mary Thomas .... Guest in Ballroom (uncredited)
Guy Usher .... Jailer (uncredited)
Dale Van Sickel .... Roy, 'Falcon' Cewman (uncredited)
Gohr Van Vleck .... First Mate of Charleston Packet (uncredited)
Catherine Wallace .... Woman in Ballroom (uncredited)
Joyce Walsh .... Guest in Ballroom (uncredited)
Harry Warren .... Boston, 'Falcon' Crewman (uncredited)
Stanhope Wheatcroft .... Devereaux Secretary (uncredited)
Lloyd Whitlock .... Southern Gentleman (uncredited)
Don Zelaya .... Cafe Bartender (uncredited)
Fred Zendar .... Spike, 'Claiborne' Crewman (uncredited)
Carl Zwolsman .... Nate, 'Falcon' Crewman (uncredited)

Writing Credits
Thelma Strabel (story)
Alan Le May (screenplay) (as Alan LeMay) &
Charles Bennett (screenplay) and
Jesse Lasky Jr. (screenplay)
Jeanie Macpherson contributing writer (uncredited)
Thelma Strabel treatment (uncredited)

Produced
Cecil B. DeMille .... producer (as Cecil B. De Mille)
William H. Pine .... associate producer
Buddy G. DeSylva .... executive producer (uncredited)

Original Music
Victor Young

Cinematography
Victor Milner (director of photography)
William V. Skall

Trivia
For the 1954 theatrical re-release, John Wayne was given top billing in the posters because of his increased star status, and Susan Hayward, who had since 1942 become a major star instead of a supporting player, was misleadingly billed second. Formerly top-billed Ray Milland got third billing in the new posters, while leading lady Paulette Goddard was demoted to fourth billing.

The world premiere was held on 18 March 1942 at the at the newly renovated El Capitan Theater on Hollywood Blvd. in Los Angeles, California, USA. In conjunction with the premiere was a celebration of Paramount's 30th year in business and Cecil B. DeMille's 30th year in films. It was attended by about 3,000 people with the proceeds going to the Navy Relief Fund.

The underwater 'Southern Cross' scenes took two months to film.

This was the last film in which Hedda Hopper appeared as a character other than herself.

During the filming of a fight scene with John Wayne, an accident cost actor 'Victor Kilian (I)' the use of one eye.

The giant rubber squid used in the underwater battle was donated by the studio to the war effort in 1942. The Japanese had conquered Malaya and Indochina, source of most of the world's rubber.

A song, "Reap the Wild Wind" (1942), music by Lew Pollack and lyrics by Ned Washington, was published to promote the film.

One of over 700 Paramount Productions, filmed between 1929 and 1949, which were sold to MCA/Universal in 1958 for television distribution, and have been owned and controlled by Universal ever since.

Although John Wayne was pleased to have been cast in such an important movie, he was unhappy with his part and once complained he was only there to make Ray Milland look like a "real man".

Cecil B. DeMille had wanted Errol Flynn to play Captain Jack Stuart, but Jack L. Warner refused to loan him out.

"Lux Radio Theater" broadcast a 60 minute radio adaptation of the movie on March 8, 1943 with Paulette Goddard and Ray Milland reprising their film roles.

John Wayne sustained an ear injury during this movie that prevented him from serving in the military during WWII.

The world premiere was held on 18 March 1942 at the newly renovated El Capitan Theater on Hollywood Blvd. in Los Angeles, California, USA. In conjunction with the premiere was a celebration of Paramount's 30th year in business and Cecil B. DeMille's 30th year in films. It was attended by about 3,000 people with the proceeds going to the Navy Relief Fund.

The shots of the squid wrapping its tentacles around the actors was done by wrapping the actors in the tentacles, then unwrapping them and showing the film in reverse.

John Wayne did not like Cecil B. DeMille. He felt the director had passed him over for the role of Wild Bill Hickok in The Plainsman (1936), which Wayne had felt certain would make him a star.

One of over 700 Paramount productions, filmed between 1929-49, which were sold to MCA/Universal in 1958 for television distribution, and have been owned and controlled by Universal ever since.

A song, "Reap the Wild Wind" (1942), music by Lew Pollack and lyrics by Ned Washington, was published to promote the film.

The voice of the character "The Lamb", played by former wrestler 'William 'Wee Willie' Davis' (fqv), was dubbed by Paramount contract player Akim Tamiroff, who had previously acted for Cecil B. DeMille in North West Mounted Police (1940).

This was John Wayne's biggest ticket seller as lead actor, grossing in 2010 terms roughly $240 million in the US alone.

According to Penny Stallings in her book "Flesh and Fantasy", studio hairdressers and their primitive electric hair rollers were responsible for Ray Milland's subsequent baldness.

Goofs
Anachronisms
Incorrectly regarded as a goof: John Wayne's reference to Mother Carey's Chickens has nothing to do with Kate Douglas Wiggins 1911 novel. It is a seafaring name for the Storm Petrel, so-called because the birds appear before a storm. Mother Carey is a corruption of Mater Cara (Dear Mother), an epithet of the Virgin Mary, to whom Portuguese and Spanish sailors used to pray before a storm.

Jack makes a reference to "Mother Carey's Chickens", although the movie is set in the 1840s and Kate Douglas Wiggin's novel wasn't published until 1911.

Character error
The character Salt Meat is introduced as a Barbados sailor, but he speaks with an American Southern accent.

Continuity
The first time Loxi talks to Jack, her hat ribbon repeatedly changes position around her neck, between shots.

The second time Loxi talks to Jack, she points at him with the index finger of her left hand. In the next shot it is her right hand.

Factual errors
The song "'Tis But A Little Faded Flower", was published in 1860, but sung in the film, which is set in the 1840s.

Revealing mistakes
Hinge lines can be seen in the arms of the squid on two occasions (1:50.30 and 1:52.06).

Memorable Quotes

Filming Locations
20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA
("Little Old New York" set)
Charleston, South Carolina, USA
Coast, Florida, USA
Columbia/Warner Bros. Ranch - 411 North Hollywood Way, Burbank, California, USA
Key West, Florida Keys, Florida, USA
New Iberia, Florida, USA
South Carolina, USA
Tank, Pan Pacific Marine Museum, Santa Monica, California, USA
Underwater, Santa Catalina Island, Channel Islands, California, USA
United Artists Studios - 7200 Santa Monica Boulevard, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
(ship sequences)

Watch this Clip

[extendedmedia]

Reap the Wild Wind is a serialized story
written by Thelma Strabel in 1940 for The Saturday Evening Post,
which was the basis for the 1942 film starring Ray Milland, John Wayne,
Paulette Goddard, Robert Preston,
and Susan Hayward, and directed by Cecil B. DeMille,
his second picture to be filmed in color.
The movie, released shortly after the United States' entry into World War II,
was a swashbuckling adventure set in the 1840s along the Florida coast,
and was wildly successful, proving to be just the ticket to take the minds
of the American movie-going public off the war for two hours.

While he based his film on Strabel's story, DeMille took liberties with details
such as sibling relationships and sub-plots,
while staying true to the spirit of the story, which centers on a headstrong,
independent woman portrayed by Paulette Goddard.

Reap the Wild Wind was a $2 million Technicolor epic,
and was Paramount's biggest picture of 1941
It was Duke's most expensive film since The Big Trail
Duke at this time was not billed first!
(although, due to Duke's, gaining popluarity,this was reversed,some years later)
Ray Milland, was favoured as he was under contract at the studios.

Paulette Goddard , also billed above Duke, was his leading lady.
Susan Hayward, was also cast in support.
The real star of the show, was however, a Giant Squid!!!
Duke feared, he would end up in a supporting role,

Duke told De Mille,

Quote

The only reason, you're calling me over here, is to make Ray Milland, look like a man.

The director asked Duke to trust him, telling him that he had considered,
Errol Flynn, Fred MacMurray, and George Brent.,
but had decided on Duke, after seeing Dark Command.

Duke's performance was excellent, and did much
to to establish the actors appeal, to a wider, middle class audience.
Duke was grateful, to work in such an important film, with a distinguished cast.

Later, Duke wrote to DeMille,

Quote

My appearance in Reap the Wild Wind, was the highlight of my career.

The preview cards, stated, that Duke had given the strongest performance.
The climatic fight with the star of the picture, the Giant Squid,
was filmed well, and cost a fortune to shoot.
The picture had mystery, drama, power and romance,
and was entertainment, in the greatest escapist, tradition.

User Review

Quote

Author: Michael O'Keefe from Muskogee OK

Produced and directed by the legendary Cecil B. DeMille.
A rough and ready sea drama with very good special effects.
Salvagers compete for the cargo of ships wrecked in the reef off the coast of Georgia.
Some of the ships go down not by nature, but by the hand of greedy men.
An extraordinary finale with an attack of a giant squid. A star studded cast sustains the interest in this stormy and mobile movie.
Notable cast members: Raymond Massey, Paulette Goddard, Ray Milland,
Susan Hayward, Robert Preston and a bland John Wayne. Yep, the "Duke" has an important role,
but does not headline or carry this film.
I've seen this at least six times since childhood and I still think it is great. See for yourself.

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

Previous Discussion:-

Reap The Wild Wind

Reap The Wild Wind, Doesn't stand the test of time.

Quote

Robbie
post Jan 30 2005, 10:54 PM

A recent topic by Roland with regards to Wake of the Red Witch mentioned similarities with Reap the wild wind. I have yet to see Witch as I am saving it for a later date as I've heard it very good so I decided to watch Reap as I have only watched it twice before.
On the outset this should be a good movie its got a decent cast with Duke and Milland and the story of ship wreckers in the 1840's is quite interesting however I feel the movie fails on almost every level and is a major disappointment.
Firstly and not wanting to sound sexist I feel the movie centres too much on the female characters mainly Hayward who is terrible in her role. The scene with her singing while playing the piano made me wish the ground would open up a swallow me. Her reaction to Drusillas death(her on-screen sister) is passive and why her and John Wayne fall in love so quickly is left unexplained.
As a John Wayne movie this commits the ultimate sin in that it is extremely boring it takes a long time for the main story to unravel and in the meantime there are endless scenes of Hayward and her servant to endure.
Cutler is way to old to have such a young brother and the way widget suddenly turns informer for Milland lacks all credibility.
The film does seem to have quite a good budget but I think too much must have been spent on lavish outfits for the females as we constantly see Hayward parading around in expensive outfits.
As for John Wayne I was not impressed with his character at all, the way he so easily turns from good guy to ship destroyer lacks realism and why he would just show up at Cutlers door after finding Widget is the deceiver was a little stupid. His speeches to Hayward are ott and his acting changes from good to poor the only scene he shines in is the big fight between him and the pirates the attack with the squid at the end isnt bad either. Its a bit difficult to comprehend that Dukes characters is in fact the bad guy responsible for the death of Drusilla although the director feeds us a spoonful of sugar at the end by having Duke coming back to rescue Milland. Dukes death in this movie was poorly done we dont actually see it and in the end nobody on the boat really seems to care about him which is quite pathetic.
There is a pretty lame shootout on the boat at the end if you are still awake to see it and then to my complete relief the movie ended.
Two interesting scenes in the movie are when Duke discovers to his horror that Drusilla was on the ship and the scene in which his face mask is put in is quite haunting as we realise Dukes character is doomed.
I apologise if my review is a little one sided but I feel this movie is rightly a forgotten one for John Wayne fans.

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Quote

arthurarnell
post Jan 31 2005, 09:09 AM

Hi Robbie
Sorry to hear you didn't think much of Reap the Wild Wind' but thats the great thing about personal choice.
This film marked Cecil B deMilles' thirtieth Anniversary in Motion Pictures and like all things De Mille he went for the spectacular and longevity, I can't think of a de Mille film that was known for its brevity.
It was also the first and only time that Wayne ever worked for the director as before there had been a great deal of ill feeling between the two men after first de Mille turned Wayne down for the scouts role in the Plainsman, and second Wayne had refused the second lead in deMille's North West Mounted Police ,(which if you haven't seen it, and if I remember rightly wasn't a bad film).
As it turned out once on the set, the two men worked cordially together but only once. As far as i am aware deMille never asked for Wayne again, and Wayne never offered.
You share your dislike of the film with James Francis Crow - The film critic of the Hollywood Citizen

Who wrote on March 19th 1942:
QUOTE
'The Film is overlong, overly involved, and erratic. It is almost never believable; it rarely creates the illusion that a good film ought to have.... and thus it sometimes excites titters when intense dramatic excitement was intended'
But he was out on his own in his condemnation Every other paper raved about the picture, including Louella Parsons, but then she would.
I think it should be remembered that Wayne was second lead in the film, it was always intended that it would be Ray Millands picture and it would therefore be natural that as Milland was known as a romantic actor rather than a dynamic adventurer that the films emphasis would be on the romance between Tulliver and Loxi, and as the leading man Milland, had to get the girl in the end leaving Wayne with nowwhere to go but to a heroic death.
As to your comment about not seeing Duke's death, f I remember rightly as his air pipe is cut his mask fills up with water leaving the audience in no doubt that he is drowning.
Only one other thing I think when you refer to Hayward you mean Paulette Goddard, Susan Hayward played Drucilla and Goddard played Loxi. Paulett Goddard was one of deMilles favourite actresses and he used her in a number of pictures including North West Mounted Police (but that's another story).
Regards
Arthur

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Quote

itdo
post Jan 31 2005, 12:50 PM

When you look at it today, of course all eyes are on Wayne. But in the year of its release, Ray Milland was one of the brightest stars, about to win the Academy Award only some years after that. So the story really revolves around him. Wayne knew it and told C.B: You just want me in this to make Milland look like a man! Interesting enough, when Reap was re-released in the Fifites, it was Wayne's and Hayward's names over the ones of Milland and Goddard who lost some of their box-office power.
The moment of the death of one diver is not one of Wayne's heroic on-screen deaths, rather the moment is used (very well, I thought) for suspense. You never saw which man was killed - just one rope was cut, and then there is the long moment when they bring one diver up. And the public, at that moment, must decide for themselves who they would like to see alive.
In my opinion, Reap stands for some of the greatest traditions of Hollywood's golden age, and presents what C.B. DeMille - the Steven Spielberg of its time - meant to the public in those years.

Quote

Robbie
post Jan 31 2005, 01:54 PM

Some interesting points of view.
Arther yes I did get Hayward and Goddard mixed up on my original post.
I do like Ray Milland I've seen him in the terrific Lost weekend, he was very good in 'A man Alone and he played his role in 'Dial M for murder' well. I just felt in this film as the main actor he didn't carry it enough and I don't buy Goddard falling in love with him at the end how she just could change her emotion is beyond me. There are of course positives in this movie the action is quite good and the courtroom scene is well enough done and I like the idea of Drusilla being onboard the ship and everyone finding out about it in the courtroom. The one scene that stuck in my mind long after the movie ended was that in which the faceplate is put on John Wayne. Watch this scene as it is done the scene becomes very haunting as we realise theres no way out for the Duke.
I didn't buy dukes death simply because it was down to him that the ship sunk and Drusilla was dead and his heroism at the end was unsatifactory.
Why did De Mille go to such lengths to make Dukes character stupid was it simply to make Milland stand out?
Finally as I said in my previous post some of the romantic horseplay at the start was a little hard to watch.
But I'm glad that others seem to like this movie that is the great thing about personal choice.

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Quote

falc04
post Jan 31 2005, 02:30 PM

I really enjoy 'Reap The Wild Wind', and just viewed it recently, so I can add some comments to this thread:
"The scene with her singing while playing the piano made me wish the ground would open up a swallow me."
On the contrary, I though the scene where Goddard signs "Aboard The Nellie Bee" was a very humorous song, especially seeing the reactions of South Carolina's upper class set.
"As a John Wayne movie this commits the ultimate sin in that it is extremely boring it takes a long time for the main story to unravel."
I didn't feel any of the movie was boring. The actors were first rate, and the story moved along at a nice pace. But, like someone else stated, movies are all a matter of personal tastes.
"I just felt in this film as the main actor Milland didn't carry it enough and I don't buy Goddard falling in love with him at the end how she just could change her emotion is beyond me."
Goddard was actually in love with both men during the film. It was love-at-first-sight with Wayne, while she grew to admire Milland's character as the movie progressed. She quickly fell out of love with Wayne, when she realized she had put all her trust in him, and he turned out not to be the man she thought he was.
"Why did De Mille go to such lengths to make Dukes character stupid...was it simply to make Milland stand out?"
Not really. Duke's character had some basic human flaws, that were exposed by his association with King Culter.
Like I mentioned, I enjoy this film a great deal. No, Duke doesn't play his normal good-guy hero, but you never feel his is totally responsible for his actions against the Southern Cross. If there was one thing I didn't find believable, it was when Duke and Goddard find the letter in Milland's pocket, giving him the command of the Southern Cross. Goddard wants to know when Milland was going to let Duke know, and he says "In my own good time". Naturally, this had an upsetting reaction on Duke's volatile character.

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Quote

Robbie
post Feb 1 2005, 01:54 PM
Hi falc
Thanks for your point of view, regarding the scene when Duke discovers the letter I don't think it really had a negative impact on Dukes character but the next scene in which he talks to Cutler did.
I guess I didn't like seeing Duke as such a weak character although this could be a movie that Stumpy may refer to when he talks about Duke being guilty of bad acting.
I like the line Duke came out with Demille that Roland mentioned but again I think De mille went over the top in making Milland look good at Dukes expense.

Quote

itdo
post Feb 1 2005, 02:42 PM

When reviewing Reap today, one must not forget the year in which it was made:
During war-time movies had only two duties for the home-front:
1. Escapism
2. Boost Morale.
Even movies that did not deal with the war directly, made sure they dealt with the right messages (enforced by the Production Code office and the War departement which saw to it that only movies that were fit to deliver the "right" messages about the US state of mind could get an export ticket to foreign markets).
The number one message in those days was: SACRIFICE. No matter what, you had to sacrifice: Maybe your life when in the service. Sacrifice privilege when at home. The Wayne-character in Reap does just that: Sacrifice for 1. truth, 2. to fight evil, 3. friendship.
So the film delivers in both points.

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As an ongoing project and as movies are 'bumped'
by various new posts,
I am adding new photos at the top of the thread,
Hope you all enjoy them

Also take a look at this link,

Susan Haywood

There's some lovely photos of her posted there

Hi

Quote

Originally Posted by ethanedwards

Duke at this time was not billed first!(although, due to Duke's, gaining popluarity,this was reversed,some years later)
Ray Milland, was favoured as he was under contract at the studios.

Duke feared, he would end up in a supporting role,

Quote

Duke told De Mille,
The only reason, you're calling me over here, is to make Ray Milland, look like a man.

The director asked Duke to trust him