Jaguar Productions (company)

Jaguar Productions was a short-lived production company established by actor Alan Ladd in the 1953. It produced several movies, most of them starring Ladd. The majority of the films were distributed through Warner Bros..

"The principal difficulty, whether you take a salary from a studio or are in business for yourself, is finding the right story", said Ladd. "Once the story is set, the rest of the operation follows a pattern, so you may as well own a piece of the negative – even if you have to beg, borrow or steal to get your hands on it."[1]

In 1957 Ladd claimed his movies usually cost $800,000 to $1 million and grossed around $3.5 million. That year Jaguar signed a contract with Warners to make ten films in three years with Ladd to appear in at least six. George Berthelon was his associate producer.[2][3]

Albert J Cohen later became executive producer. "Ladd and I know that we'll probably spend from nine to twelve million dollars on these films", says Cohen. "We know that the foundation of a successful film is its story values. And we're anxious to acquire properties that will give Ladd material that differs drastically from the type of script that has been his lot lately."[4]

Select Credits

(*did not star Ladd)

Unmade Projects
  • film version of Box 13 to be written by Charles Bennett[5] – a TV series of this was also mooted[6]
  • Farewell to Kennedy – proposed TV series based on an episode of an anthology drama in which Ladd appeared[7]
  • TV series Ivy League starring William Bendix about an army sergeant who attends an ivy league university for which a pilot was shot in 1958[8]
  • Japanese Eye – original screenplay by Thelma Schnee set in modern-day Tokyo[4]
  • untitled film by Lou Stevens about the cattle business in Hawaii[4]
  • The Strangers based on novel by Max Ehlrich[4]
  • untitled project starring Ladd and his son David for producer Robert Radnitz set during the Johnson County Wars[9]
  • Off the City Streets from a novel by Lester Atwell about juvenile delinquent children who find new homes in a privileged suburb – a vehicle for David Ladd[10][11]
  • The Cavalryman[6]
  • "The Third Platoon" for G.E. Theatre
  • Baggy Pants a film based on the life of Bert Lahr[12]
  • Without Rhyme or Reason a film based on the life of L. Wolfe Gilbert[12]
  • The Thunder and the Rain – a "romance in a desert setting"[13]
  • a remake of The Covered Wagon with director Michael Curtiz[14]

References
  1. THOMAS M. PRYOR (Jan 22, 1956). "HOLLYWOOD VIEWS: Production Cost Rise Seem as Result Of New Five-Day Week--Other Items Aurora Blueprint On Ladd's Agenda Entente Cordiale". New York Times. p. 99.
  2. "John Scott, 'Alan Ladd Balances Three-Cornered Career'". Los Angeles Times. July 21, 1957. p. E3.
  3. Emlyn Williams Stars as Zola; Ladd Outfit Signs 10-Film Deal|author=Schallert, Edwin|date=Mar 6, 1957|work=Los Angeles Times|page=21}}
  4. A.H. WEILER (May 26, 1957). "BY WAY OF REPORT: Alan Ladd's Full Slate --Other Screen Items". New York Times. p. X5.
  5. OSCAR GODBOUT (Jan 22, 1958). "SUBLIMINAL TEST PLANNED IN WEST: Los Angeles TV Station to Send 'Unseen' Messages -- Marquand Play Planned". New York Times. p. 54.
  6. Joe Hyams. (Mar 22, 1959). "Ladd Working for Kids". The Washington Post and Times Herald. p. G7.
  7. OSCAR GODBOUT (Jan 23, 1956). "FAULKNER NOVEL BOUGHT FOR FILM: 'Pylon,' Story of Stunt Flier Assigned by Universal to Zugsmith, Producer". New York Times. p. 22.
  8. "N. B. C. Weighs Series of Pilot Films; Polly Bergen May Get Summer Role". New York Times. May 28, 1958. p. 63.
  9. "HOLIDAY THRONGS SET FILM RECORDS: Music Hall and Astor Report Peaks at Year End -- Movies for Children Planned". New York Times. Jan 6, 1960. p. 31.
  10. {{Cite news|"Ladd Seeks to Star David and Haley Louella Parsons:. The Washington Post". Times Herald. July 12, 1961. p. B10.
  11. THOMAS M. PRYOR (Apr 9, 1956). "WAR HERO TO STAR IN 'THE WAY BACK': Murphy Signed by Universal for Sequel to Film on His Battlefield Exploits Debbie Reynolds to Star". New York Times. p. 22.
  12. THOMAS M. PRYOR (May 17, 1957). "UNIVERSAL CASTS TWO IN NEW FILM: Jane Powell, George Nader to Appear in 'Female Animal' --Actor Replaces Gavin". New York Times. p. 19.
  13. "Three Plays Hold Over Next Week". The Christian Science Monitor. Feb 1, 1958. p. 8.
  14. Louella Parsons:. (July 31, 1958). "Ladd Is Interested In 'Covered Wagon'". The Washington Post and Times Herald. p. C8.
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