TYCOON (1947)

DIRECTED BY RICHARD WALLACE
RKO RADIO STUDIOS

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INFORMATION FROM IMDb

Plot Summary

Engineer Johnny Munroe is enlisted to build a railroad tunnel
through a mountain to reach mines.
His task is complicated, and his ethics are compromised,
when he falls in love with his boss's daughter.

Summary written by Jim Beaver

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Borden Chase
C.E. Scoggins novel
John Twist

Full Cast

John Wayne .... Johnny Munroe
Laraine Day .... Maura Alexander Munroe
Cedric Hardwicke .... Frederick Alexander (as Sir Cedric Hardwicke)
Judith Anderson .... Miss Braithwaite
James Gleason .... Pop Mathews
Anthony Quinn .... Ricky Vegas
Grant Withers .... Fog Harris
Paul Fix .... Joe
Fernando Alvarado .... Chico
Harry Woods .... Holden
Michael Harvey .... Curly Messenger
Charles Trowbridge .... Señor Tobar
Martin Garralaga .... Chávez
Frank Mills .... Taxi Driver
Jane Adrian .... Camp Girl (uncredited)
Fred Aldrich .... (uncredited)
Trevor Bardette .... Julio, House Guest (uncredited)
Argentina Brunetti .... House Guest (uncredited)
Ann Codee .... Señora Tobar (uncredited)
Tom Coffey .... (uncredited)
Joe Dominguez .... (uncredited)
John Eberts .... (uncredited)
Nacho Galindo .... López (uncredited)
Frank Leyva .... (uncredited)
Sam Lufkin .... (uncredited)
Wayne McCoy .... (uncredited)
Rudolph Medina .... (uncredited)
Al Murphy .... (uncredited)
Clarise Murphy .... (uncredited)
Eduardo Noriega .... Hernández, Headwaiter (uncredited)
Sheila Raven .... (uncredited)
Diane Stewart .... (uncredited)
Brick Sullivan .... Workman with Holden at Fiesta (uncredited)
Lucio Villegas .... (uncredited)
Blanca Vischer .... (uncredited)
Max Wagner .... (uncredited)

Filming Locations

Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California, USA

Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden - 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, California, USA- Wake of the Red Witch, also filmed here


Trivia

* Produced for $3.209 million, this was RKO's biggest flop of 1947, losing $1.035 million.

* This was the most expensive movie produced by RKO to date.

* Maureen O'Hara was originally to play the female lead in this film.
RKO producers, however, assigned her to make
Sinbad the Sailor (1947) and cast Laraine Day instead.

Previous Discussion:-
Tycoon ([Only registered and activated users can see links])

Hi,
This is one of the worst films, Duke made,
and is up there
amongst the Top 5 turkeys!!
It was dreadfully concieved, with equally bad, hammy over-acting
from all concerned.
Duke's character, changed from mild to complete nutter, without
any explanation.
The sight of girls running around in evening gowns, on a construction site,
made me cringe.
What gets me, is why and earth, should Sir Cedric want to sabotage,
his own, financially, supported project!!
How could Duke make a film like this, when he made FORT APACHE
just before it?
Watching it, was more boring, than watching paint dry!!
You've only got to read the Trivia, section, to see what the net result was!!!
Rating 1/10

Here's an interesting link, regarding the filming of this movie:-

Tycoon, John Wayne and a closed set ([Only registered and activated users can see links])

You hit the nail on the head it is awful :headbonk:

Memorable Quote

Here's a laugh, a memorable quote,
from a very un-memorable film!!

Johnny Munroe: I've got a railroad to build.

INFORMATION IMDb

Hi

Looking at the cast of Tycoon it had to be a worthwhile film John Wayne, Larraine Day, Sir Cedric Hardwicke, Judith Anderson, James gleason, Grant Withers, Antony Quinn and Paul Fix.

It might not have been absolutely brilliant, it was certainly differant from his normal films but they all counted and all served to put one more notch on the road to Red River and The Searchers.


Regards

Arthur

Originally posted by ethanedwards+Jan 22 2006, 02:16 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ethanedwards @ Jan 22 2006, 02:16 PM)</div>This is one of the worst films, Duke made,
and is up there
amongst the Top 5 turkeys!!25688[/b]
I must say that my opinion on this film is 180º from yours. While not up there among the classics, I would hardly consider it among the worst films Duke made.

Originally posted by ethanedwards@Jan 22 2006, 02:16 PM
Duke's character, changed from mild to complete nutter, without
any explanation.25688
He did go from a decent guy to a wacko in short order, although I wouldn't say it was without any explanation. He was getting the run-around when it came to getting materials for the job, which made no sense, as you so rightly pointed out. His friend died in the tunnel, and his wife left him. But by the end, he had come to his senses and realized what a jerk he had been and what it was costing him.
Originally posted by ethanedwards@Jan 22 2006, 02:16 PM
What gets me, is why and earth, should Sir Cedric want to sabotage,
his own, financially, supported project!!25688
Of course, from a reasonable, practical standpoint, it doesn't make any sense at all. However, the guy was on a FAT power trip, even if it was to his own detriment.
<!--QuoteBegin-ethanedwards@Jan 22 2006, 02:16 PM
Rating 1/10
25688
You seem to be out of sync with IMDb's user rating, which is 5.8/10. Personally, I would give it 6.5.

But . . . those differing opinions are what make the world go 'round and keep it from being a boring place! Vive la difference!

Chester :newyear:

I agree Chester...Tycoon is FAR from being a terrible movie. This movie has many things going for it:

1) Excellent character actors - from Paul Fix, to Grant Withers, to Harry Woods...

2) Beautiful technicolor - your doing yourself a dis-service if the only way you've seen this movie is some washed out VHS copy. See a clear print on TCM one night...

3) A good story-line - the plot moves along...the father in-law doing anything to get his daughter away from Johnny, the great chemestry between Marua and Johnny, the breakup of a close knit of friends, and then them coming back together again...


In my opinion, this movie rates at least a 8/10. Guess it's just like 'Jet Pilot'...I love that film (and this one), while most don't.

I watched this movie for the second time ever today. I thought it was a pretty good film, overall. Of course, it is always fun to see many of the regulars (Paul Fix, Grant Withers, Harry Woods) in his movies. I don't think it is available yet on DVD, but I would certainly buy it when it is on the market.

Everyone has their own taste - I prefer Duke's movies from the 40's and early 50's over most of the others.


-ncb

Yes, I noticed this was on TCM yesterday afternoon...good stuff!

Hi all,
Watched it yesterday and find it enjoyable. I have a good DVD copy. Can't agree that it is one of the worst films.
Regards,
Senta :rolleyes:

I taped this film from the BBC a few weeks ago and tried to watch it that same day but at the time could not get into it.Saturdaymorning before going to work I watched it and found it quite enjoyable.Not the best but certainly not the worst.I liked most of the actors,the story was not too bad and the chemistry between Duke and Larraine was okay.

This is one film I have always enjoyed watching....would be nice to have in DVD. It's a different role for John Wayne, and has the action and drive to keep the film going.

erscolo,

I've always enjoyed watching this movie too, and would love to have it on dvd.

Chester :newyear:

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

Thank you Keith!

Chester :newyear:

Hope you enjoy this theater poster!

Chester :newyear:

Duke himself thought that Tycoon was awful, but I can't agree. There's nothing wrong with it; there's excitement, romance, humour and happy ending, and good actors.

Maybe I was just in a bad mood when I watched it :yeaahh:

I thought it was pretty bad too, but I have no problem watching it again.

Not a bad flick, I thought it was good, maybe a little long. But I agree with the last few posts, that it's not that terrible is it? Some good special effects, though they were obviously using a model railroad and river when they had the big scene at the end!

I thought I saw this movie but couldn't remember so I watched it last night on DVD. I liked it pretty good. It had a good story and the acting was alright. It was not a top 10 movie or even a top 20. But it had action and adventure, romance, some comedy, and pure guts. This movie reminds me how the human spirit is when attacked by evil or greed. You are constantly being attacked by all angles and you stay sane?

This movie will not be in my top 25 list, but it was not a bad movie. We look for Duke in westerns, or war movies, but this one shows him in construction. Laraine Day was a beautiful woman, and played her part well. Anthony Quinn was good in his part, but I'd like to see him in another role. It was good to see Paul Fix again.

I did like this movie, and will watch it again someday.

Cheers :cool: Hondo

Hi Mike

Very underated movie imo and as you remark with a very good support cast including Grant Withers, Sir Cedric Hardwick, James Gleason and Dame Judith Anderson.


Regards

Arthur

Hondo and Arthur,
I agree with both of you, We've enjoyed the movie each time we've watched it.

Chester :newyear: and the Mrs. :angel1:

If I have seen it, it was so long ago that I can't remember it. I would not mind seeing Duke in this kind of role.

Rediscovering John Wayne's Forgotten Movies, (Tycoon).

As Chester has pointed out the movie discussions would be best served occurring in the relevant thread so this post here will mark the beginning of the discussion and all subsequent reviews in this series relating to 'Tycoon' can be posed here. Let the reviewing begin and have fun.

:agent:

Well, although I may not be long winded in my reviews. I will give it a shot.

I watched the movie over a couple nights which may or may not have something to do with my assesement. As others have stated, it is not a top 25 or even top 30 movie from JW. But I wouldn't rate it poor either. Ona 10 scale I would rate it a 5, average. I thought the acting was very uneven from some of the characters, especially the father(Cedric Hardwicke ([Only registered and activated users can see links])). While I didn't mind his acting too much, I did mind the fact that we are suppose to believe some of the things that he did to undermind his daugthers relationship with Munroe(Duke). As a father I don't care how much I might dislike a person who married my daughter, I wouldn't put his safety, nor the safety and security of my daughter at risk. Duke's acting I think was on par with most of his stuff, maybe the material didn't give him much to go on from a scripted standpoint but he acted just as he usually did, confident and bold. The supporting cast was just as you would expect in a Duke movie from this time period, I like Paul Fix and Grant Withers in there roles. And Laraine Day, man, nice legs, very pretty lady. Not sure what Anythony Quinn's role was as he really didn't do much from what I could tell, his chracter was not needed. I guess he was the liason between Munroe and Alexander.
The movie to me suffered from a poor script at times and the un even acting didn't help either. This may sound biased on a JW forum but if it wasn't for Duke I don't think there would be an other reason to watch this movie. Will I watch it again? Yes, only for the fact that I am sure some other new things may come up and next time I will try to watch it in one sitting. Like I said above. I rate it a 5 stars on a 10 scale.

I feel the same as you did about this movie, SXViper. 5 0ut 0f 10 is just about right. I wasn't crazy about Cedric Hardwicke's roll as the father either. He did the things he did with no thought to the consequences it had on his daughter. Can any loving father be that cold?

Like alot of older films, I find it difficult to buy into the fact that you can meet someone, fall instantly in love and ask a person to marry you in a matter of a few days. But, Laraine Day is a looker. The instant love thing, maybe. But marriage? Nah.

Duke plays a driven man to the extreme. It's like he loses who he is and becomes a totally different person. This roll was ok by me. Kind of "middle of the road" in that it isn't very memorable (as Tom Dunston was).

This is a film I will watch more than once, but not nearly as much as his more popular films. Maybe once a year or so will do.

Sorry if this is short. I am not much of a reviewer. But I try. :wink_smile:

Mark

I've recently just finished watching this masterpiece :wink_smile: so I''ll post my review.

Overall the movie is not bad but its not a great or even good movie either, it probably will forever remain within the mediocre category of the movie achieves.

The film involves John Wayne playing a railroad construction engineer whom while building a railroad hat to battle the elements, personal problems and his boss played by Sir Cedric Hardwicke. Sir Cedric takes an initial dislike to John Wayne and one can easily suspect this is a class issue, Sir Cedric being upper class and John Wayne lower class. Whilst Sir Cedric is happy enough for John Wayne to dig his tunnel its only when he become romantically involved with his daughter that things start to become messy and Hardwicke then begins to hinder John Waynes construction work.

The most interesting aspect of the movie is the deterioration of John Wayne's character it begins when we learn he is not sleeping properly and skipping meals, added to the mix are his tendencies to drink and the severe pressures of building the railroad due to the fact that at ever turn his work is being hampered by Hardwicke. Some aspects of the John Wayne character are interesting due to the fact he is a workaholic at the expense of his personal life and also very compulsive when romantically involved which is not far away from John Wayne himself.

However whilst Dukes acting is good in the more dramatic scenes he is a little too hammy in the romantic scenes as is Larraine Day, the overall storyline is not executed very well and the romantic subplot almost dominates the first half of the movie. There are too few action scenes in the movie and too many scenes with Hardwicke while better actors like Paul Fix and Anthony Quinn are underused.

The best line in the film goes to John Wayne after knocking a man out he throws water on him to make him conscious again and growls at him "Get up your not hurt".

Overall this movie rates at 5.5 out of 10, with a better director this could have been a great movie and only for John Wayne it would be completely forgettable.

:agent:

The instant love thing, maybe. But marriage? Nah.

:wink_smile:

Mark

How bad for us, girls:wink_smile:
May be it's funny, but I couldn't imagine love in the other way. To me love always meant responsibility to have children from the man I love and marrige. I guess it sound rather silly.
In this movie I always enjoy first half of it with romantic relations and can't belive when Duke's caracter turns bad...
I'm certainly must see this movie again to refresh my impression of it.
Regards,
Senta

liked the plot line in that the characters get lost then redefine themselves.

Hi

The problem with Sir Cedric Hardwickes portrayal of the father in Tycoon is the same he had with many of his films that of playing a stiff backed authoratarian aristocrat he was type cast.

Watch his role in The Hunchback of Notre Dame with Maureen O'Hara he is the same.



Regards

Arthur