Seven Sinners (1940)

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  • SEVEN SINNERS


    DIRECTED BY TAY GARNETT
    PRODUCED BY JOE PASTERNAK
    UNIVERSAL PICTURES


    Photo with the courtesy of lasbugas


    INFORMATION FROM IMDb


    Plot Summary
    Bijou, a saloon singer with a reputation for insighting brouhahas, is one of several deportees from a south Pacific island to arrive at another U.S. protectorate, Boni Komba. She becomes very popular with U.S. navymen by performing at the 'Seven Sinners'. A navy Lieutenant is attracted to Bijou despite the Governor's machinations to keep them apart, and the competing affections of local mobster, Antro. Will the Lieutenant give up the navy for Bijou, and will he survive Antro's forces?
    Summary written by Gary Jackson


    Full Cast
    Marlene Dietrich .... Bijou Blanche
    John Wayne .... Lt. Dan Brent
    Albert Dekker .... Dr. Martin
    Broderick Crawford .... Edward Patrick 'Little Ned' Finnegan
    Anna Lee .... Dorothy Henderson
    Mischa Auer .... Sasha Mencken
    Billy Gilbert .... Tony
    Richard Carle .... District Officer
    Samuel S. Hinds .... Gov. Harvey Henderson
    Oskar Homolka .... Antro (as Oscar Homolka)
    Reginald Denny .... Capt. Church
    Vince Barnett .... Bartender
    Herbert Rawlinson .... First Mate
    James Craig .... Ensign
    William Bakewell .... Ens. Judson
    Antonio Moreno .... Rubio
    Russell Hicks .... First Governor
    William B. Davidson .... Police Chief (as William Davidson)
    Eric Alden .... Sailor (uncredited)
    Danny Beck .... Orchestra Leader (uncredited)
    Ted Billings .... Saloon/Courtroom Extra (uncredited)
    Mamo Clark .... Native Girl at Antro's Table (uncredited)
    Edgar Edwards .... Ensign (uncredited)
    Virginia Engels .... Bit Role (uncredited)
    Willie Fung .... Charlie, Shopkeeper (uncredited)
    Tay Garnett .... Drunken Sailor (uncredited)
    Frank Hagney .... Antro's Henchman (uncredited)
    Michael Harvey .... Ensign (uncredited)
    Al Hill .... Sailor (uncredited)
    Mary Ann Hyde .... Bit Role (uncredited)
    Soledad Jiménez .... Bijou's Maid (uncredited)
    Noble Johnson .... Irate Russian (uncredited)
    Mike Lally .... Henchman at Antro's Table (uncredited)
    Perc Launders .... Naval Officer at Shipboard Dance (uncredited)
    Larry Lawson .... Chief Officer (uncredited)
    Claire Meade .... Bit Role (uncredited)
    Harry Payne .... Second Mate (uncredited)
    Rolfe Sedan .... Henchman (uncredited)
    Tom Seidel .... Ens. James Scott (uncredited)
    Evelyn Selbie .... Fortune Teller (uncredited)
    Harry Semels .... Antro's Henchman (uncredited)
    Harry Seymour .... Piano Player (uncredited)
    John Sheehan .... Drunk (uncredited)
    Charles Stafford .... Ensign (uncredited)
    Peter Sullivan .... Ensign (uncredited)
    Frank Swann .... Ensign (uncredited)
    Nanette Vallon .... First Maid (uncredited)
    Roquell Verria .... Native Girl at Antro's Table (uncredited)
    Henry Victor .... Dutch Police Officer (uncredited)
    Leslie Vincent .... Ensign (uncredited)
    Ward Wing .... Sailor (uncredited)
    William Yetter Sr. .... Dutch Police Officer (uncredited)


    Writing Credits
    Ladislas Fodor story
    John Meehan
    Harry Tugend
    László Vadnay story (as Laslo Vadnai)


    Original Music
    Frederick Hollander (song "I Fell Overbroard")
    Frederick Hollander (song "I'Ve Been in Love Before")
    Frederick Hollander (song "The Man's in the Navy")
    Hans J. Salter (as H.J. Salter)
    Frank Skinner


    Cinematography
    Rudolph Maté


    Trivia
    Composer Hans J. Salter recycled his and Frank Skinner's score for "Son of Dracula."


    Original working title: "Tropical Sinners"


    Broderick Crawford replaced Victor McLaglen in the cast.


    Memorable Quotes


    Filming Location
    Saugus Airfield, Saugus, California, USA


    Watch the Trailer


    Seven Sinners

    Best Wishes
    Keith
    London- England

    Edited 11 times, last by ethanedwards ().

  • Seven Sinners (UK title Cafe of the Seven Sinners) is a 1940 American adventure film
    starring Marlene Dietrich and John Wayne in the first of three films they made together.
    The film was produced by Universal Pictures in black and white.

    Strangely, almost forgotten, this film was an important one for Duke.
    Another Marlene Dietrich film, in which there was obvious chemistry,
    as there was indeed, in real life, with a a real fling, going on off-screen.


    Apparently, Duke's part was written for Tyrone Power, but he was tied up elsewhere!!


    Duke did well, as so did, Albert Dekker, Broderick Crawford and Anna Lee.


    The film although not the quality of Destry Rides Again was a box-office hit,
    and earned a great deal of money, for the studio.
    Duke's acting had come a long way, and he seemed natural and relaxed.


    Dietrich raved to the press what a marvelous time she'd had, making the film.

    Quote

    I don't believe any future picture, will ever mean to me, what that one did" she told reporters


    Although Duke was billed 2nd., he was emerging as one of Hollywood,
    most sought after leading men.
    Duke's association with Marlene Dietrich, did much to enhance his reputation,
    and they soon made two more pictures together.
    All in all a fun film to watch.


    User Review

    Best Wishes
    Keith
    London- England

    Edited once, last by ethanedwards ().

  • Hi all,
    This one saw for the first time too in these days. It is wonderful and charming movie. And it was not only acting in the way how Duke looked at Marlene.
    Regards,
    Vera :rolleyes:

  • Quote

    Originally posted by Senta@Apr 12 2006, 09:00 AM
    This one saw for the first time too in these days. It is wonderful and charming movie. And it was not only acting in the way how Duke looked at Marlene.


    Duke's character makes himself absolutely ridiculous with Marlene's character, I'm sure there's not much acting involved - and I love to watch it! Except the ending, sigh.

    I don't believe in surrenders.

  • Hi
    I went down the local HMV on Saturday and bought nine DVD's all John Wayne all at £6.99. They included The Spoilers, Stagecoach Tycoon War of the Wildcats, Hellfighters The Magnificent Showman, In Old California, Seven Sinners and The Fighting Kentuckian.


    On Sunday at a loose end I watched Seven Sinners, I must admit I have never seen it right through but this time I did.


    Directed by Tay Garnett it is obvious that it is a vehicle for Dietrich rather than duke as all he has to di is stand around looking neat which in navy uniform he does. Listening to Dietrich sing you wonder what all the fuss is about. But in general I thought the film wasn't bad.


    Broderick Crawford had a strange part as did Mischa Auer as Dietrich's friends. Albert Dekker came down from his bad guy image to play the doctor and the man that Dietrich eventually goes off with. The fight scene at the end is unbelievable with people flying all over the place.


    Has anyone else seen the picture lately?



    Regards


    Arthur

    Walk Tall - Talk Low

  • Hi Arthur,
    I have seen it not far ago - I have it in JW UK collection in the last bonus box. And I can tell - I like the whole thing, enjoyed it. Like Dietrich singing as well. May be I like it most from the whole 3 films with Dietrich. It happens that in the same time I received the memories of Dietrich doughter, and it was very interesting reading.
    Returning to Seven Sinners there is something between them and this is the magic of the film.
    By the way why you descuss SS here not in its own topic. As I know Keith feel offenced by it.
    Regards,
    Vera :rolleyes:

  • Hi Vera


    It was a pure oversight. We have probably the finest complete overview of John Wayne's films thanks to Keith's Herculanean efforts, and I forgot to use it.
    He sent me an e.mail which I appreciated because it shows he is still with us.


    Regards


    Arthur

    Walk Tall - Talk Low

  • Quote

    Originally posted by etsija@May 29 2006, 08:34 PM
    I love to watch it! Except the ending, sigh.

    [snapback]31665[/snapback]



    And what ending do you want? I can't imagine really another one.
    :rolleyes:

  • The chemistry between Duke and Marlene jumps off the screen ;) A film I really enjoyed.Perhaps not the very best film ever but very enjoyable.The fight was good.Dietrich's singing is not too my liking but propably popular back in them days or she wouldn't have been so popular.Brent staying in the army and Bijou going off with the doctor...yeah well...


  • Seven Sinners is available on this DVD. Your best bet is to purchase this on-line. There are a total of 5 movies on this DVD.


    Cheeers :cool:



    Quote

    "When you come slam bang up against trouble, it never looks half as bad if you face up to it"

    - John Wayne quote

  • And what ending do you want? I can't imagine really another one.
    :rolleyes:



    Impulsive, momentary happiness, of course. ...I suppose you're right, it probably wouldn't have lasted between Bijou and Dan, and he would have grown bitter about abandoning the Navy. Bijou and the doctor understood each other better. Sigh again

    Love that song "see those shoulders broad and glorious"

    I don't believe in surrenders.

  • Was it Dietrich who said to the director ( when seeing JW on set ), oh daddy buy me one of those.

    Greetings from North of the 49th

  • I saw this for the first time recently. I approached it with caution as I'd previously read a comment somewhere that said it was bad and supposedly 'Duke's worst film with Dietrich'.

    I have to say, I loved it. As for it supposedly being Duke's worst with Dietrich, I much preferred it to 'The Spoilers' (which I saw for the first time the following day).