Tycoon (1947)

[ethanedwards]

TYCOON

DIRECTED BY RICHARD WALLACE
PRODUCED BY STEVEN AMES
RKO RADIO PICTURES

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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

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)

Writing Credits
Borden Chase
C.E. Scoggins novel
John Twist

Original Music
Leigh Harline

Cinematography
W. Howard Greene (director of photography)
Harry J. Wild

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.

Jan Sterling's movie debut.

Goofs
* Revealing mistakes: As the work crew is putting the last bridge span in place,
their shadows are clearly visible on the lower part of the sky in the background.

Memorable Quote

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

Watch this Clip

Tycoon

Previous Discussion:-
Tycoon

[ethanedwards]

Tycoon is a 1947 American Technicolor romance film
starring John Wayne based on the 1934 novel by C.E. Scoggins.

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!!
He says to Duke, he cannot risk mens lives,
and it tantamount to murder,
yet that's exactly what he sets out to do,

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!!!

Look out for Duke 'Pals'
Grant Withers as Fog Harris
and
Paul Fix as Joe

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

Tycoon, John Wayne and a closed set

User Review

Whole less than the sum of its parts.
25 April 2002 | by smatysia (Houston)

"Tycoon" has a lot going for it. Unfortunately it doesn't really deliver.
John Wayne plays a familiar persona, and does so very well, as always.
Laraine Day, with whom I was not familiar, turned in a very good performance.
The most notable of the cast, I thought, was Anthony Quinn in a supporting role.
Having said all this, the film really fails to engage.
I don't know why.
The plot had a lot going for it, the photography was nice, the direction OK.
I just can't put my finger on why this isn't a better movie. Grade: C-

[DukePilgrim]

You hit the nail on the head it is awful

[arthurarnell]

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

[chester7777]

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!!

[snapback]25688[/snapback]

[/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.

[snapback]25688[/snapback]

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!!

[snapback]25688[/snapback]

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

[snapback]25688[/snapback]

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

[falc04]

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.

[nathan_brittles]

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

[falc04]

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

[Senta]

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

[Moonshine_Sally1]

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.

[erscolo]

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.

[chester7777]

erscolo,

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

Chester

[ethanedwards]

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

[chester7777]

Thank you Keith!

Chester

[chester7777]

Hope you enjoy this theater poster!

Chester