Angel, Angel, Down We Go: Difference between revisions
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Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune (1923-1963); Chicago, Ill. [Chicago, Ill]07 Sep 1962: b10. </ref> |
Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune (1923-1963); Chicago, Ill. [Chicago, Ill]07 Sep 1962: b10. </ref> |
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The Broadway production did not occur and Thom turned it into a film script. Film rights were bought by AIP.<ref>Bye, Bye, Beach Bunnies: Bye, Bye, Beach Bunnies |
The Broadway production did not occur and Thom turned it into a film script. Film rights were bought by Sam Katzman who sourced finance from AIP.<ref>Bye, Bye, Beach Bunnies: Bye, Bye, Beach Bunnies |
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By VINCENT CANBY. New York Times 2 Mar 1969: D1. </ref> |
By VINCENT CANBY. New York Times 2 Mar 1969: D1. </ref> |
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Jones signed in December 1968 and filming began 18 February 1969.<ref>MOVIE CALL SHEET: Jennifer Jones Set for Role |
Jones signed in December 1968 and filming began 18 February 1969.<ref>MOVIE CALL SHEET: Jennifer Jones Set for Role |
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Los Angeles Times 12 Dec 1968: f33. </ref> |
Los Angeles Times 12 Dec 1968: f33. </ref><ref>MOVIE CALL SHEET: Kennedy Joins 'Airport' Cast |
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Martin, Betty. Los Angeles Times 7 Dec 1968: a8. </ref> Jordan Christopher, married to Richard Burton's ex wife Sybil, signed to co star.<ref>Jennifer Jones, Christopher to Costar |
Martin, Betty. Los Angeles Times 7 Dec 1968: a8. </ref> Jordan Christopher, married to Richard Burton's ex wife Sybil, signed to co star.<ref>Jennifer Jones, Christopher to Costar |
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The Washington Post, Times Herald 4 Dec 1968: B17. </ref> |
The Washington Post, Times Herald 4 Dec 1968: B17. </ref> |
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The part of the daughter was played by Holly Near who had not planned to be in movies but had been invited to audition off the back of her appearance at the Hugh O'Brian awards. "I got the part because I was beautiful and because I was fat," recalled Near in her memoir, adding that Thom asked her to put on a few pounds for the movie.<ref>Near p 43</ref> |
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Near said Jones "was the grand dame that she deserved to be. I watched her struggle with her part, with her role, with her fear. I felt like an ugly ducking next to an aging swan."<ref>Near p 44</ref> |
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Near wrote that she felt Thom "didn't have much compassion for my character... I struggled to give her dignity where there was none... I always wondered why Robert wanted to make this film."<ref>Near p 44</ref> |
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==Songs== |
==Songs== |
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The songs in the film – "Angel Angel Down We Go," "The Fat Song," "Hey Hey Hey and a Hi Ho," "Lady Lady," "Mother Lover" and "Revelation" – were written by [[Barry Mann]] and [[Cynthia Weil]], and were sung by Jordan Christopher.<ref name=afi>{{AFI film|20599}}</ref> |
The songs in the film – "Angel Angel Down We Go," "The Fat Song," "Hey Hey Hey and a Hi Ho," "Lady Lady," "Mother Lover" and "Revelation" – were written by [[Barry Mann]] and [[Cynthia Weil]], and were sung by Jordan Christopher.<ref name=afi>{{AFI film|20599}}</ref> |
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Thomas, Kevin. Los Angeles Times 28 Nov 1969: e32.</ref> |
Thomas, Kevin. Los Angeles Times 28 Nov 1969: e32.</ref> |
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According to the ''New York Times'' the film was "an unmitigated financial disaster."<ref>{{cite news|title=The dime-store way to make movies-and money|first=Aljean|last= Harmetz|newspaper=New York Times |date=4 August 1974|page= 202}}</ref> |
According to the ''New York Times'' the film was "an unmitigated financial disaster."<ref>{{cite news|title=The dime-store way to make movies-and money|first=Aljean|last= Harmetz|newspaper=New York Times |date=4 August 1974|page= 202}}</ref> "It was trash," said Near.<ref>Near p 46</ref> |
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AIP tried re-releasing the film as '''The Cult of the Damned''' in 1970. It was issued on a double bill with ''[[The Vampire Lovers]]''. The ''Los Angeles Times'' called it "a terrible piece of trash."<ref>'Vampire' Showing in Multiples |
AIP tried re-releasing the film as '''The Cult of the Damned''' in 1970. It was issued on a double bill with ''[[The Vampire Lovers]]''. The ''Los Angeles Times'' called it "a terrible piece of trash."<ref>'Vampire' Showing in Multiples |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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==Notes== |
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*{{cite book|title=Fire in the rain-- singer in the storm : an autobiography|last1=Near|first1= Holly|last2= Richardson|first2= Derk|year=1990 |publisher=W. Morrow }} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*{{AFI film|20599}} |
*{{AFI film|20599}} |
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*{{IMDb title|0065602}} |
*{{IMDb title|0065602}} |
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*[https://archive.org/details/sinema-trailer_angel-angel-down-we-go Trailer] at [[Internet Archive]] |
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*[http://jenniferjonestribute.weebly.com/angel-angel-down-we-go.html ''Angel, Angel Down We Go''] at Jennifer Jones Tribute Site |
*[http://jenniferjonestribute.weebly.com/angel-angel-down-we-go.html ''Angel, Angel Down We Go''] at Jennifer Jones Tribute Site |
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Revision as of 11:47, 22 February 2020
| Angel, Angel, Down We Go | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | Robert Thom |
| Written by | Robert Thom |
| Produced by | Jerome F. Katzman |
| Starring | Jennifer Jones Jordan Christopher Roddy McDowall |
| Cinematography | John F. Warren |
| Edited by | Eve Newman |
| Music by | Barry Mann Cynthia Weil |
Production company | Four Leaf Productions |
| Distributed by | American International Pictures (US) |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 93 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Angel, Angel, Down We Go, also known as Cult of the Damned, is a 1969 American film directed by playwright and screenwriter Robert Thom. It is Thom's sole directorial credit. Thom had previously written Wild in the Streets for American International Pictures, which distributed this follow-up. The film was made for Sam Katzman's Four Leaf Productions.[2][3] Thom based his screenplay on an unproduced stage play of the same title which he wrote c.1960 as a vehicle for his wife, actress Janice Rule.[1]
Premise
The overweight, emotionally troubled daughter (Holly Near) of an affluent but brittle Hollywood couple (Jennifer Jones and Charles Aidman) gets caught up with a charismatic rock singer (Jordan Christopher) and his friends. The singer proceeds to seduce and manipulate her entire family.
Cast
- Jennifer Jones as Astrid Steele
- Jordan Christopher as Bogart Peter Stuyvesant
- Holly Near as Tara Steele
- Lou Rawls as Joe
- Charles Aidman as Willy Steele
- Davey Davison as Anna Livia
- Roddy McDowall as Santoro
Production
In August 1960 Thom, best known for writing the film Compulsion, announced he would direct a play Angel Angel Down We Go starring this then wife Janice Rule. It would be presented by Leland Hayward in December and was about a group of New York University students in Greenwich Village.[4] By November Hawyward said production was not going ahead because he had been unable to find a director and a theatre.[5] In August 1961 the play was acquired by a company, Theatrical Interests Plan.[6] In September 1962 Shirley Knight was going to star.[7]
The Broadway production did not occur and Thom turned it into a film script. Film rights were bought by Sam Katzman who sourced finance from AIP.[8]
Jones signed in December 1968 and filming began 18 February 1969.[9][10] Jordan Christopher, married to Richard Burton's ex wife Sybil, signed to co star.[11]
The part of the daughter was played by Holly Near who had not planned to be in movies but had been invited to audition off the back of her appearance at the Hugh O'Brian awards. "I got the part because I was beautiful and because I was fat," recalled Near in her memoir, adding that Thom asked her to put on a few pounds for the movie.[12]
Near said Jones "was the grand dame that she deserved to be. I watched her struggle with her part, with her role, with her fear. I felt like an ugly ducking next to an aging swan."[13]
Near wrote that she felt Thom "didn't have much compassion for my character... I struggled to give her dignity where there was none... I always wondered why Robert wanted to make this film."[14]
Songs
The songs in the film – "Angel Angel Down We Go," "The Fat Song," "Hey Hey Hey and a Hi Ho," "Lady Lady," "Mother Lover" and "Revelation" – were written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, and were sung by Jordan Christopher.[1]
Reception
The Los Angeles Times called it "a pretentious mess" although "it can never be said to bore."[15]
According to the New York Times the film was "an unmitigated financial disaster."[16] "It was trash," said Near.[17]
AIP tried re-releasing the film as The Cult of the Damned in 1970. It was issued on a double bill with The Vampire Lovers. The Los Angeles Times called it "a terrible piece of trash."[18]
See also
References
- ^ a b c Angel, Angel, Down We Go at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
- ^ MOVIE CALL SHEET: Bill Holden Signed for 'Tree' Martin, Betty. Los Angeles Times 21 Dec 1968: a6.
- ^ MOVIE CALL SHEET: Jennifer Jones Set for Role Los Angeles Times 12 Dec 1968: f33.
- ^ FEUER AND MARTIN ACQUIRE THEATRE: Producers of Musicals Get Lunt-Fontanne -- Robert Thom to Direct Show By SAM ZOLOTOW. New York Times 15 Aug 1960: 19.
- ^ HAL MARCH IS SET FOR SPRING PLAY: Gets Starring Role in 'Come Blow Your Horn' -- Sydney Chaplin in Line for Part By SAM ZOLOTOW. New York Times 30 Nov 1960: 42.
- ^ INVESTMENT UNIT ACQUIRES COMEDY: Theatrical Interests Plan to Produce Play About Co-ed By SAM ZOLOTOW. New York Times 2 Aug 1961: 17.
- ^ Red Skelton Is Touched by Antique Shop Incident Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune (1923-1963); Chicago, Ill. [Chicago, Ill]07 Sep 1962: b10.
- ^ Bye, Bye, Beach Bunnies: Bye, Bye, Beach Bunnies By VINCENT CANBY. New York Times 2 Mar 1969: D1.
- ^ MOVIE CALL SHEET: Jennifer Jones Set for Role Los Angeles Times 12 Dec 1968: f33.
- ^ MOVIE CALL SHEET: Kennedy Joins 'Airport' Cast Martin, Betty. Los Angeles Times 7 Dec 1968: a8.
- ^ Jennifer Jones, Christopher to Costar The Washington Post, Times Herald 4 Dec 1968: B17.
- ^ Near p 43
- ^ Near p 44
- ^ Near p 44
- ^ Jennifer Jones in 'Angels' Thomas, Kevin. Los Angeles Times 28 Nov 1969: e32.
- ^ Harmetz, Aljean (4 August 1974). "The dime-store way to make movies-and money". New York Times. p. 202.
- ^ Near p 46
- ^ 'Vampire' Showing in Multiples Thomas, Kevin. Los Angeles Times 27 Nov 1970: h24.
Notes
- Near, Holly; Richardson, Derk (1990). Fire in the rain-- singer in the storm : an autobiography. W. Morrow.
External links
- Angel, Angel, Down We Go at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
- Angel, Angel, Down We Go at IMDb
- Trailer at Internet Archive
- Angel, Angel Down We Go at Jennifer Jones Tribute Site
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