Dear Brigitte

Dear Brigitte
Directed by Henry Koster
Produced by Fred Kohlmar
Henry Koster
Written by Hal Kanter
Nunnally Johnson (uncredited)
Based on Erasmus With Freckles (1963 novel) 
by John Haase
Starring James Stewart
Fabian
Glynis Johns
Cindy Carol
Bill Mumy
Brigitte Bardot
Ed Wynn
Music by George Duning
Cinematography Lucien Ballard
Edited by Marjorie Fowler
Production
company
Distributed by 20th Century Fox
Release dates
 January 8, 1965
Running time
 100 min
Country US
Language English
Budget US$2.47 million[1]
Box office US$2.2 million[2]

Dear Brigitte is a 1965 American DeLuxe Color family-comedy in CinemaScope starring James Stewart and directed by Henry Koster.

Plot

Robert Leaf (James Stewart) is an American college professor whose precocious son Erasmus (Bill Mumy) is a mathematical prodigy. After using his skills for gambling at the racetrack, it is discovered that Erasmus is infatuated with model and actress Brigitte Bardot. He writes love letters to her, and she invites him to visit her in France. Prof. Leaf accompanies him on the journey. Prof. Leaf later uses his son's talent to raise funds for liberal arts scholarships. He is assisted by Peregrine Upjohn (John Williams), who is secretly a con artist who plans to abscond with the funds.[3]

Cast

Production

The novel was published in 1963.[4] There was some talk Walt Disney would option the rights for Bing Crosby[5][6] However rights were bought by 20th Century Fox who assigned the project to Nunnally Johnson, Henry Koster and James Stewart, the team that made Mr Hobbs Takes a Vacation and Take Her, She's Mine.[7] It was one of the first movies made at the recently re-opened 20th Century Fox studios.[8]

Billy Mumy was cast on the recommendation of James Stewart's wife, Gloria Stewart, who taught a Sunday School class that Mumy attended.[9]

Although Nunnally Johnson wrote early drafts of the film, Hal Kanter was brought in to work on it and he gets sole screen credit. Kanter says it was Henry Koster's idea to introduce a captain, played by Ed Wynn, to act as a Greek chorus.[10]

The film was the sixth straight acting role for Fabian since he quit singing.[11] He had never been to the races before being cast so researched his role by going to the races and developing a betting system.[12]

There was some doubt Bardot would appear in the film but she relented and her scenes were shot in three days in Paris.[13]

References

  1. ↑ Aubrey Solomon, Twentieth Century Fox: A Corporate and Financial History, Scarecrow Press, 1989
  2. ↑ Anticipated rentals accruing distributors in North America. See "Top Grossers of 1965", Variety, 5 January 1966 p. 36 and 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. p. 230. Please note figures are rentals accruing to distributors and not total gross.
  3. ↑ Deming, Mark. "DEAR BRIGITTE (1965)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  4. ↑ Books of The Times: Man Flees Toward Troubles He Creates By CHARLES POORE. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 30 May 1963: 10.
  5. ↑ Bobby Darin Casting New Shadow Dorothy Kilgallen:. The Washington Post, Times Herald (1959-1973) [Washington, D.C] 15 July 1963: A22.
  6. ↑ Bing Anxious to Return to Pictures Finnigan, Joseph. Chicago Tribune (1963-Current file) [Chicago, Ill] 28 July 1963: e11.
  7. ↑ Looking at Hollywood: Genius, 8, Complicates Stewart's Next Film Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Tribune (1963-Current file) [Chicago, Ill] 26 Oct 1963: 9.
  8. ↑ FOX STUDIOS BUZZ WITH FILMMAKING: Richard Zanuck Forecasts Busiest May In 10 Years By MURRAY SCHUMACHSpecial to The New York Times. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 01 May 1964: 43.
  9. ↑ 10-Year-Old Wiser Than the Playboys: Red-Haired Child Actor Socks Film Salary Into Properties Hopper, Hedda. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 25 Aug 1964: D8.
  10. ↑ 'I Typed for Bardot on Towel'--Kanter: Gag Writer Reveals Secret; They Change Haase's Titles Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 15 Sep 1964: C9.
  11. ↑ Goes Straight Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 17 Nov 1964: C9.
  12. ↑ HOLLYWOOD CALENDAR: Film That Loves 'Em and Leaves 'Em Scott, John L. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 13 Dec 1964: O9.
  13. ↑ Entertainment: Busy Ethel Merman Signed for Picture Won't Interfere With Her Honeymoon, Actress Says Hopper, Hedda. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 01 June 1964: C20.

External links