A Dog of Flanders (1959 film)

A Dog of Flanders is a 1960 American drama film directed by James B. Clark, with stars David Ladd, Donald Crisp and Theodore Bikel. It is based on the 1872 novel of the same name by Ouida. It was released on March 17, 1960 by 20th Century Fox in CinemaScope and Color by De Luxe[3]

A Dog of Flanders
Directed byJames B. Clark
Produced byRobert B. Radnitz
Screenplay byTed Sherdeman
Based onthe novel by Ouida
StarringDavid Ladd
Donald Crisp
Theodore Bikel
Music byPaul Sawtelle
Bert Shefter
Santa Cecilia Academy Orchestra and Chorus of Rome
CinematographyOtto Heller, B.S.C.
Edited byBenjamin Laird
Production
company
Distributed by20th Century Fox
Release date
  • March 17, 1960 (1960-03-17)
Running time
96 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$600,000[1]
Box office$3 million[2]

Unlike the novel, which has a tragic end, the film has a happy ending for the boy and his dog.

"Patrasche" is played by Spike the Mastador, best known for playing the title character in Old Yeller.[4]

Cast
  • David Ladd as Nello Daas
  • Donald Crisp as Jehan Daas
  • Theodore Bikel as Piet Van Gelder
  • Max Croiset as Cogez the miller
  • Monique Ahrens as Corrie
  • Siohban Taylor as Alois Cogez
  • Gijsbert Tersteeg as the landlord
  • John Soer as the peddler
  • Katherine Holland as the miller's wife
  • Lo van Hensbergen as the priest
  • "Patrasche"
  • Hans Tiemeyer
  • Maxim Hamel
  • John De Freese
  • Mathieu van Eysden
  • Katja Berndsen
  • Heleen van Meurs
  • Ulla Larsen

Production

Robert L. Lippert enjoyed success with a children's film starring David Ladd called The Sad Horse.[5]

The film was announced in March 1959.[6][7] Robert L. Lippert says the film was originally shot in black and white "but everything was so beautiful so we changed it to color."[2]

Filming started June 22, 1959.[8] The film was shot in Holland and Belgium.[9]

It included a 12-minute scene where Theodore Bikel gives a painting lesson. "Everybody thought they were crazy when he did that", said producer Radnitz. "But the kids loved it."[10]

Comic book adaption

Reception

The film was one of Lippert's most successful films commercially making over $3 million.[2] Hedda Hopper called it "the sleeper of the year."[13]

Lippert bought a story, Gallus to make as a follow up for Clark and Ladd.[14] However the film was not made. They ended up making Misty.

Writer Ted Sherdeman and director Clark later formed their own company, Gemtaur.[15]

The film was first in the children's film category at the Venice Film Festival.[10]

See also

References
  1. Solomon, Aubrey. Twentieth Century Fox: A Corporate and Financial History (The Scarecrow Filmmakers Series). Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press, 1989. ISBN 978-0-8108-4244-1. p252
  2. Ryon, A. (Sep 23, 1962). "Third-run film king tells industry's woes". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 168195832.
  3. "DOG OF FLANDERS, A". Monthly Film Bulletin. London. 27 (312): 52. 1 January 1960. ProQuest 1305821308.
  4. "A dog's career". Los Angeles Times. Mar 8, 1960. ProQuest 167681748.
  5. Scheuer, P. K. (Oct 26, 1959). "Lippert hails era of $300,000 hits". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 167507684.
  6. "FILM LAND EVENTS". Los Angeles Times. Mar 10, 1959. ProQuest 167472043.
  7. MURRAY SCHUMACH (May 12, 1959). "STORM IS BREWED IN POOL AT METRO". New York Times. ProQuest 114781115.
  8. "BIG FISHERMAN' TO BOW AT RIVOLI". New York Times. May 23, 1959. ProQuest 114888758.
  9. Dexter, Maury (2012). Highway to Hollywood (PDF). p. 104.
  10. MURRAY SCHUMACH (Sep 27, 1960). "Children's films are challenge to makers of 'dog of flanders'". New York Times. ProQuest 115137510.
  11. "Dell Four Color #1088". Grand Comics Database.
  12. Dell Four Color #1088 at the Comic Book DB (archived from the original)
  13. Hopper, H. (Jan 9, 1960). "Looking at hollywood". Chicago Daily Tribune. ProQuest 182421877.
  14. "FILMLAND EVENTS". Los Angeles Times. Jan 5, 1960. ProQuest 167590543.
  15. Scheuer, P. K. (Apr 15, 1960). "New york's equity issues ultimatum". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 167602705.
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