View Full Version : Blood Alley (1955)


ethanedwards
January 20th, 2006, 05:07 PM
BLOOD ALLEY

DIRECTED BY WILLIAM A.WELLMAN/JOHN WAYNE (uncredited)
BATJAC PRODUCTION
WARNER BROS

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c187/john-wayne/John%20Wayne/bood_alley.jpg..http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c187/john-wayne/John%20Wayne/MOVIE_TVFOTOPHOTO00198PHOTOBC.jpg

INFORMATION FROM IMDb

Plot Summary
Wilder(John Wayne), an adventurous merchant marine captain, who knows every current, port and prevailing wind in the far east, is approached by oppressed villagers,to lead them to the saftey of Hong Kong.

Full Cast
John Wayne .... Capt. Tom Wilder
Lauren Bacall .... Cathy Grainger
Paul Fix .... Mr. Tso
Joy Kim .... Susu, Cathy's maid
Berry Kroeger .... Old Feng (as Berry Kroger)
Mike Mazurki .... Big Han
Anita Ekberg .... Wei Ling
George Chan .... Mr. Sing (uncredited)
W.T. Chang .... Mr. Han (uncredited)
David Chow .... Boat man (uncredited)
Chester Gan .... Ferry Boat Captain (uncredited)
Lowell Gilmore .... British officer (uncredited)
James Hong .... Communist soldier (uncredited)
Eddie Luke .... Feng's #2 nephew (uncredited)
Henry Nakamura .... Tack, engineer (uncredited)
Walter Soo Hoo .... Feng's #1 nephew (uncredited)
Victor Sen Yung .... Cpl. Wang (uncredited)

Produced
John Wayne .... producer (uncredited)


Writing Credits
Albert Sidney Fleischman novel Blood Alley
Albert Sidney Fleischman screenplay

Original Music
Roy Webb

Cinematography
William H. Clothier


Trivia
Robert Mitchum was originally cast as Capt. Wilder. He was fired from the film after an altercation in which he shoved the film's transportation manager into San Francisco Bay. Gregory Peck subsequently turned down the role of Capt. Wilder, and Humphrey Bogart wanted a $500,000 salary, which would have put the film over budget. Without a major male star involved, Warner Bros. contacted producer John Wayne, threatening to pull out of their distribution deal for the film unless he took the role himself. To keep his new production company Batjac afloat, Wayne agreed to play Capt. Wilder.

Average Shot Length = ~6.2 seconds. Median Shot Length = ~5.6 seconds. Both of these figures are fast for an early CinemaScope film, and much faster than William A. Wellman's first CinemaScope film, The High and the Mighty (1954).

John Wayne appeared in an episode of "I Love Lucy" (1951) to promote this film.

There was some surprise when Lauren Bacall agreed to make the movie since she was a left-wing Democrat and the film was right-wing propaganda.


Goofs
* Revealing mistakes: When Captain Wilder leans against the window, the wall moves.

* Continuity: Bacall tells Wayne that the map he had been making was burned in the kitchen because there was no time to hide it before the troops arrived. A short time later, Wayne is seen writing on the same map (note the human anatomy on the front side of it).

* Continuity: When Wilder says "Half the Red navy's out there ...", the position of the wheel and the placement of his hands on it changes between shots.

* Revealing mistakes: In three scenes with Captain Wilder and Big Han are talking, the sampan is not moving. The trees reflected in the water behind the sampan are the give away.

* Revealing mistakes: Two scenes were definitely "low budget" and were obviously scale mockups that weren't believable: 1. When the wood goes through the paddle, this is obviously a 2x4 going through a small model. 2. As the paddleboat comes into Hong Kong, it is clearly models and a fake city.

* Revealing mistakes: When the ferry pulls into Hong Kong, they encounter a Royal Navy vessel with close-ups of the sailors. Ordinarily, British sailors wear a tally on their caps with the name of their ship printed on it. However, the sailors' tallies only have "HMS" on them and no ship's name.


Filming Locations
Belvedere Island, California, USA
Colusa County, California, USA
San Francisco, California, USA
San Rafael, California, USA
Stockton, California, USA

Watch the Trailer:-

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__________________________________________________ _________________________



Well, Well, what does everyone think of Duke and this film??
It is of course commonly known that, Humphrey Bogart, was Dukes choice for this film, but when his price was too high, he signed Robert Mitchum, ironically casting, Bogie's wife Lauren Bacall, to play opposite him!!
I think Mitchum, would probably, have been more suited to the role of Wilder.
However Big Mitch fell out with Director Wellman.and Duke had to step in, to save the film!
This being Batjac's first venture.
Personally, although I enjoyed the film, I don't think Duke seemed right in the part,
and I think from the looks of it, he probably felt the same!!
Critics, found the film, slow moving, and that Duke, hadn't added perceptibly, to his acting range!
Although not a box office smash, it did well enough to more than recover Batjacs costs!!
However, that's theirs and my opinion, So YOUR views and comments are greatly appreciated,
Rating 6/10

DukePilgrim
January 20th, 2006, 05:20 PM
Ive always thought Blood Alley was okay. There is enough to keep the viewer interested but as you say the role was written for Mitchum or Bogart in mind and it shows. John Wayne liked working with Lauren Bacall and her strong role helped the movie.

ethanedwards
January 24th, 2006, 08:58 AM
Memorable Quote

Not much to shout about, but here's one:-

Capt. Tom Wilder: [spoken through voice tube to engine room] If you want a last look at home, you'd better take it now.
Tack: [heavy with sorrow] I looked.

INFORMATION IMDb

ethanedwards
February 3rd, 2006, 02:52 PM
Thought it might help if I transfered these earlier comments, to the new forumDec 11 2005, 10:38 AM
Hi,
AISSA WAYNE in her book JOHN WAYNE- My Father
Says that Pilar was so annoyed with Mitchum, for falling out with Wellman!!
Because of this, it meant Duke was to be away, filming, again, when she didn't expect him to be!
When later, the Mitchums, were house guests, she was less than friendly.
Duke was wary of his new wifes toughness,

"It was one of the reasons, my father adored her"

Keith
arthurarnell
post Dec 12 2005, 06:39 AM
Hi

In his book Them Ornery Mitchum Boys John Mitchum states that the incident with his brother Robert when he threw the transport manager into San Francisco Bay was contrived. He argues that John Wayne owed Warners a picture and by getting Mitchum fired they could then get Wayne to star.


Regards

Arthur

ZACK613*
post Dec 12 2005, 06:12 PM
I enjoyed Blood Alley. It makes a great Cold War mini film festival with Big Jim McLain, No Substitute for Victory, and the Green Berets.
The Ringo Kid*
post Dec 12 2005, 09:24 PM
I have not ever seen Blood Alley but want to see it. It's one on the "To Get" list.


chester7777*
post Dec 13 2005, 06:05 AM
Personally, I agree with you one hundred per cent. I think Duke wasn't right for the part, and I think they should have spent the money for Humphrey Bogart, but it would seem that our comments are about fifty years too late. :uhuh:

chester7777
February 17th, 2006, 03:20 AM
Originally posted by ethanedwards+Feb 3 2006, 11:52 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ethanedwards @ Feb 3 2006, 11:52 AM)</div>
<!--QuoteBegin-The Ringo Kid@ Dec 12 2005, 09:24 PM

I have not ever seen Blood Alley but want to see it. It's one on the "To Get" list.26427[/b]
Ringo,
Blood Alley is certainly affordable, as evidenced at Deep Discount DVD (http://search.deepdiscountdvd.com/search?p=Q&ts=custom&w=blood+alley&search.x=0&search.y=0). It is available at Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=br_ss_hs/002-3581901-1689624?search-alias=aps&keywords=blood%20alley), but you will pay a little more there.

Chester :newyear:

Senta
March 20th, 2006, 11:47 PM
Hi all,
Watched Blood Alley for the first time yesterday and greatly enjoyed it. I like Duke's charechter and don't think that Bogart or Mitchum would be more suitable for it. And Chester is right this is little late to descuss. I like Wellman work in this film too. Laureen Bacall is very good opposite Duke. So I'm happy that I saw it at last.

dc65
September 23rd, 2006, 06:03 PM
"What do ya think, baby?" The duke asks, looking to the sky...

I just watched this film and I thought it was great. A bit of a different role for him, but cool nonetheless. I thought that the way he talked to "baby" was great, it made him into a really neat, crazy character and the movie was just fine without Robert Mitchem or Humphry Bogart. I think there are a few great lines in it as well, but I will have to watch it again and write them down before I post my favourites!

Moonshine_Sally
October 8th, 2006, 02:53 PM
I absolutely loved this film!The way that Wilder(Duke)kept talking to Baby left me laughing out loud.I had heard not too many good things about this film but it was very enjoyable.Far from his best but a definate must see film!Lauren Bacall was her usual self>>>brilliant!!!I'll be watching it again ;)

ethanedwards
January 27th, 2007, 07:56 AM
Here is a photo of Bogie and their son,
visiting Lauen Bacall,
on the location of this film,
with the ferry boat clearly shown

1248

ethanedwards
February 18th, 2007, 11:12 AM
Here are some photos, not previously posted,

14311432


14331434

chester7777
February 18th, 2007, 11:37 PM
Ringo,
Blood Alley is certainly affordable, as evidenced at Deep Discount DVD (http://search.deepdiscountdvd.com/search?p=Q&ts=custom&w=blood+alley&search.x=0&search.y=0). It is available at Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=br_ss_hs/002-3581901-1689624?search-alias=aps&keywords=blood%20alley), but you will pay a little more there.
Just a quick update here - Amazon still has the movie on DVD, for around $10, but it is no longer available at Deep Discount.

Chester :newyear:

ejgreen77
February 19th, 2007, 12:09 AM
but it is no longer available at Deep Discount.

Chester :newyear:

Chester,

Yes it is (http://www.deepdiscount.com/viewproduct.htm?productId=5787639)


E.J.

chester7777
February 19th, 2007, 12:39 AM
That's great, glad to hear it. However, when I clicked on my original link, it showed the title as unavailable. How weird is that?

Thanks, ej, for checking on that!

Chester :newyear:

ejgreen77
February 19th, 2007, 01:07 AM
That's great, glad to hear it. However, when I clicked on my original link, it showed the title as unavailable. How weird is that?

Thanks, ej, for checking on that!

Chester :newyear:

When DeepDiscount updated their site, all the deep links to their old site went dead. You'd think they could have found some way to point them to the updated pages on their new site.

ethanedwards
February 19th, 2007, 04:15 AM
There is an ongoing thing when we post links,
they kinda get out of date quickly!!
We're even having problems with our internal ones!

chester7777
February 19th, 2007, 10:05 AM
There is an ongoing thing when we post links,
they kinda get out of date quickly!!
We're even having problems with our internal ones!

This is a sad situation, the only positive thing is after a few days most posts are relegated to the dust bin of history.

Chester :newyear:

chester7777
February 22nd, 2007, 01:44 AM
Only one poster available to share, for Blood Alley.

Chester :newyear:

kilo 6
May 14th, 2008, 01:04 AM
Loved it and susu was a big part of that. talking to baby, the way they got the patroll boat, Old feng in his car I think it is a good film.

erscolo
January 12th, 2009, 01:00 AM
This is a film I enjoy, the locales, the scenery, even the plot. I can not say I would have ever imagined John Wayne piloting a ferry boat were it not for this film. This is a film, however, that I have watched several times...it might be a Feng obsession, who knows.

gt12pak
January 12th, 2009, 11:00 PM
Here is a photo of Bogie and their son,
visiting Lauen Bacall,
on the location of this film,
with the ferry boat clearly shown

1248
Sorry that I have never posted anything about this film, but after the 2nd or 3rd viewing, this one became a film I still enjoy watching. But I have a question after seeing the above photo.....did Duke and Bogart get along? I don't know of a movie they did together and was wondering.

ShortGrub
January 15th, 2009, 07:07 AM
My understanding is Boggy was on set with Bacall for the shoot. Did he normally do this;for watching the screen you could see the spark between Bacall and Duke. Jealous, wary maybe?
In The Shootist years later the spark is still there between them.

gordon
January 16th, 2009, 02:41 PM
not one of his best but never the less still good entertainment

ladybug
September 24th, 2010, 03:15 PM
Okay ya'll, tonight it is bag-O-popcorn number two and Blood Alley. Looking forward to seeing this one as well, as I have never watched it before. I shall give my report soon after. LOL! *so excited*

ringo kid
September 29th, 2010, 09:24 AM
not a great film but enjoyable.duke and bacall worked well together.it should have been a much better film with a good cast and a good director in william wellman.

ladybug
September 29th, 2010, 10:04 AM
I've been so busy I forgot to post my report. LOL! I thought this movie was a little slow and would liked to have seen a little more action. I too liked the chemistry with Becall and Duke, I think they played well off of each other. I have always enjoyed her films as well. I did, as usual, like the comic aspect of Duke's acting, which he gave little glimpses of throughout. Not a favorite, but I am glad to have it in my "little" collection.

lasbugas
February 25th, 2011, 03:35 PM
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lasbugas
February 25th, 2011, 03:36 PM
http://i67.servimg.com/u/f67/11/97/59/03/duke_434.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=6598&u=11975903)
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lasbugas
March 28th, 2011, 06:46 AM
Lobby Card Mexicaine

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lasbugas
May 25th, 2011, 01:55 PM
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lasbugas
June 14th, 2011, 06:41 AM
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wtrayah
November 21st, 2011, 06:53 AM
I thought the Duke did a good job with this role! Although I too think Bogart would probably have done better. I liked it!