Donovan's Reef (1963)

[ethanedwards]

DONOVAN'S REEF

PRODUCED AND DIRECTED BY JOHN FORD
MUSIC BY CYRIL J. MOCKRIDGE
JOHN FORD PRODUCTIONS
PARAMOUNT PICTURES

..

INFORMATION FROM IMDb

Plot Summary
'Guns' Donovan prefers carousing with his pals Doc Dedham and 'Boats' Gilhooley,
until Dedham's high-society daughter Amelia shows up in their South Seas paradise.
Summary written by Jim Beaver

Full Cast
John Wayne .... Michael Patrick 'Guns' Donovan
Lee Marvin .... Thomas Aloysius 'Boats' Gilhooley
Elizabeth Allen .... Ameilia Sarah Dedham
Jack Warden .... Dr. William Dedham
Cesar Romero .... Marquis Andre de Lage
Dick Foran .... Australian Navy Officer
Dorothy Lamour .... Miss Lafleur
Marcel Dalio .... Father Cluzeot
Mike Mazurki .... Sergeant Monk Menkowicz
Jacqueline Malouf .... Lelani Dedham
Cherylene Lee .... Sally Dedham
Jeffrey Byron .... Luki Dedham (as Tim Stafford)
Edgar Buchanan .... Boston Attorney
Jon Fong .... Mister Eu
Frank Baker .... Captain Martin (uncredited)
Carmen Estrabeau .... Sister Gabrielle (uncredited)
Harold Fong .... Sells Ameilia a swimsuit (uncredited)
Dan Ford .... Child (uncredited)
Duke Green .... Mate (uncredited)
Sam Harris .... Family council member (uncredited)
Fred Jones .... Family council member (uncredited)
June Y. Kim .... Servant (uncredited)
Carl M. Leviness .... Family council member (uncredited)
King Lockwood .... Lawyer (uncredited)
Cliff Lyons .... Australian Navy officer (uncredited)
Mae Marsh .... Family council member (uncredited)
Michelle Mazurki .... (uncredited)
Ron Nyman .... Naval officer (uncredited)
Yvonne Peattie .... Sister Matthew (uncredited)
John Qualen .... Deck hand who cries 'Man Overboard' (uncredited)
Chuck Roberson .... Festus (uncredited)
Scott Seaton .... Family council member (uncredited)
Charles Seel .... Grand uncle Sedley Atterbury (uncredited)
Mickey Simpson .... Crewman Gilhooley hits with Mop (uncredited)
John Stafford .... Child (uncredited)
Sara Taft .... Family council member (uncredited)
Ralph Volkie .... James (uncredited)
Aissa Wayne .... Native girl (uncredited)
Patrick Wayne .... Navy Lieutenant (uncredited)
Lee Wood ... Islander (uncredited)

Writing credits
Edmund Beloin story
James Edward Grant
James Michener story (uncredited)
Frank S. Nugent (as Frank Nugent)

Original Music
Cyril J. Mockridge
G. Savoca (song "The Monkeys Have No Tails in Zamboanga") (uncredited)

Cinematography
William H. Clothier

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Wingate Smith .... assistant director

Stunts
Duke Green .... stunts (uncredited)
Tom Hennesy .... stunts (uncredited)
Cliff Lyons .... stunts (uncredited)
Hal Needham .... stunts (uncredited)
Leo C. Richmond .... stunts (uncredited)
Chuck Roberson .... stunts (uncredited)

Trivia
This is the technically last movie that John Ford and John Wayne worked on together, although Wayne later provided the voice-over narration for Ford's documentary Chesty: A Tribute to a Legend (1976).

Actor John Qualen dubbed the voice of the sailor who yells "Man overboard!" in the opening scene, though it is not Qualen on-screen.

During the scene where Amelia is wishing to "charter the Araner", Donovan states that he owns the Araner and a boat named the Inisfree. Inisfree is the name of the village in Ireland in which The Quiet Man (1952), another John Wayne / John Ford film, takes place.

Actor Mickey Simpson is sometimes mistakenly credited as the mate hit with a mop by Lee Marvin in the opening scene. It is not Simpson but Duke Green.

In a fight with Lee Marvin, John Wayne underestimated an uppercut. He crashed through a table and fell down. Director John Ford decided to leave the scene in the movie.

Ameilia asks the captain "to charter the Araner." That was the real name of John Ford's yacht, which is the yacht used in the movie.

In the beginning, Gilhooley tells the captain who "shanghai'd" him that they were supposed to be at the island "on the 7th". Taking into account the time-line of the movie, ending on Christmas, that would make Donovan and Gilhooley's birthday as December 7th, the anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

"Boats" is Navy slang for the rating of *Boatswain's Mate*. "Guns" is Navy slang for the rating of *Gunner's Mate*.

In the movie Donovan and Gilhooley are supposed to share December 7th for their birthday. In real life, Mike Mazurki (Sgt. Monk Menkowicz) was born December 25, 1907.

Patrick Wayne, John Wayne's son, has a small cameo - he plays the Australian Shore Patrol officer that breaks up the final fight.


Goofs
* Continuity: Ameilia loses her stockings after falling in the water.

* Continuity: When Amelia first starts skiing, she loses her bathing cap. After falling in the water, the cap is back on her head.

* Continuity: Ameilia presents Gilhooley with a Christmas present then goes out back of the bar to confront Donovan. When she returns, not more than a couple of minutes later, Gilhooley already has the train set put together on the bar and is playing with it.

* Crew or equipment visible: On the road when the children are forced to leave their home to move in with Donovan, the shadow of the camera is visible on the people as they walk by.

Memorable Quotes

Filming Location
Kaua`i, Hawaii, USA
Waimea Canyon, Kaua'i, Hawaii, USA

Watch this Trailer

[ethanedwards]

Donovan's Reef is a 1963 American film starring John Wayne.
It was directed by John Ford and filmed on location on Kauai, Hawaii.

The cast included Elizabeth Allen, Lee Marvin, Dorothy Lamour, and Cesar Romero.
The film marked the last time Ford and Wayne ever worked together on a project.

The last and final film together, Ford intended another 'Rip roaring, comedy'
However, it didn't quite work, and as Ford was now past his sell by date,
it made matters worse.
However, I enjoyed the film, and particularly the title music, "Pearly Shells",
The story was fair, and the paring of Duke and Lee Marvin, a good one.
There was good chemistry, and it was obvious the pair got on professionally,
and from all accounts....socially!!!

Pilar Wayne, said that Lee Marvin, was constantly drunk and a confused person!!
Elizabeth provided a not too bad, love interest.
This was, however, to be the last time Duke was to lust,
over a much younger woman.

His days were numbered as a leading man, lover role.
After this, his father/grandfather roles came to the fore,
and as we know from his later films,
they were roles, that he looked comfortable, and at ease with.
The film bordered at time, on childish humour, with a good spattering
of Duke's, " Who me?" and 'knocked over the head looks'!
Overall, a contrived and poor picture, but not too bad as entertainment.

User Review

Good non- Cowboy role for Wayne
16 February 2005 | by lee188 (United States)

This film is not one of Johns best but it ranks pretty high.
It's good to see John Wayne in something besides a cowboy movie.
It has a great supporting cast.
Lee Marvin out does his self in his role as the out cast friend who has the same birthday as John Wayne.
Cesar Romero plays his part brilliantly as the French Ambassador.
And the kids in this film could not have been cast better. Jacqueline Malouf plays her part
as the teen age daughter of Jack Warden so convincingly you forget she was 22 at the time.
And Cherylene Lee is the cutest little girl who ever played a part in the movies.

The plot is a little lame and Elizabeth Allen is a little young to be playing John Wayne's love interest.
John Wayne appears to look the oldest of the three Americans who stayed on the island
to help the inhabitants during WWII.
But the movie comes off pretty good if you can over look the age difference.
Besides, Wayne and Allen do work well together. I like to watch this movie from time to time.
It's a feel good movie were everything comes out good in the end.

[arthurarnell]

Hi

I agree that Donovan's Reef if taken as pure fun is a reasonable movie. However it didn't sit well with some people who were uncomfortable about suggested racial undertones.

Personally I think you would have to be a sad person to look for that in a picture, but obviously there are some that do.

I must admit that I am surprised that Ford used Lee Marvin after their exchanges during the Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, but as they said Ford was becoming way past his sell by date.


Regards

Arthur

[chester7777]

We agree with both of you. We've always found this to be a fun movie, definitely not among the best, but entertaining.

Chester

[ethanedwards]

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

Donovan's Reef

[chester7777]

Deep Discount DVD has this film for under $10, and also offers 3 movie posters.

Amazon has the movie in both DVD and VHS, and also has a "decorative poster."

Chester

[Panhandle]

I'm one of those who loves this movie for different reasons.

John Ford knew how to pick a location.

Dad was in the Army stationed in Hawaii when I was a kid. We lived there for two years.
The location on "Reef" reminds me of the beauty of the Islands.

There is the connection of the Second World War in the Pacific and these men were sailors. I'm a Navy vet. and really like Dukes Navy charaters/movies.

Grant it this movie is not Fort Apache which the first time I saw it I hated it. I could not stand Henry Fonda's character. It took watching it about three times before I saw it for what it was. Looking at the scenery, the story line, the era.
This movie had complexities "Reef" does not have and should not have.

"Reef" is post war a time of trying to take in the beauty of the islands they fought and died on. This was home during the war where their friends lived and died and they took ownership of sorts.

Living a light hearted easy going life, a piece of heaven.

So no it's no great work of the cinema. But in my estimation a movie worth watching if nothing else for the fun of it.

[arthurarnell]

Hi



I've had this photograph in my collection for some time but I think this is the first time I've shown it. Don't know why? it's not a bad photo advertising not a bad film.

Regards

Arthur

[DukePilgrim]

Have to admit I am not fussed on this movie.

It should have been a knockabout movie but as Keith says Ford was past his best and it doent have enough to keep you interested.


Mike

[chester7777]

Even John Ford got up on the wrong side of bed at times.

Though, when I watch this movie, I feel like catching a flight to Maui.

Chester

[Tbone]

I have to say I enjoy this film! No there isn't alot of depth in it but it is enjoyable and I think it shows the Dukes ability to portray a funny character.

And too the scenery can't be beat! No it's not deep but it is a fun film.

[ethanedwards]

Also Kauai, where it was filmed.
I've been to Oahu, but not the others!

[chester7777]

The Mrs. and I visited Oahu, Kauai, and Maui, 26 years ago. Interestingly,
nine months later our first child was born.

Chester

[ethanedwards]

Jim,

I thought the experience was wonderful,
as you can appreiate it's quite a haul,
for us guys to take on a vacation like that!
Incidently, for our connections
we flew in through SF
and on the way back through LA!

[chester7777]

If you ever go through SFO again, give us a holler. If you're on the ground long enough, maybe we could meet for a pint or two.

Did you have long enough layovers to visit in either SF or LA?

Chester