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{{Short description|1950 film by Michael Curtiz}} |
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{{Infobox film |
{{Infobox film |
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| name = The Breaking Point |
| name = The Breaking Point |
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| image = The Breaking Point 1950 movie poster.jpg |
| image = The Breaking Point 1950 movie poster.jpg |
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| image_size = |
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| alt = |
| alt = |
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| caption = Theatrical release poster |
| caption = Theatrical release poster |
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| director = [[Michael Curtiz]] |
| director = [[Michael Curtiz]] |
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| producer = [[Jerry Wald]] |
| producer = [[Jerry Wald]] |
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| screenplay = [[Ranald MacDougall]] |
| screenplay = [[Ranald MacDougall]] |
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| |
| based_on = {{based on|''[[To Have and Have Not]]''|[[Ernest Hemingway]]}} |
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| narrator = |
| narrator = |
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| starring = [[John Garfield]]<br/>[[Patricia Neal]]<br/>[[Phyllis Thaxter]]<br/>[[Juano Hernandez]] |
| starring = [[John Garfield]]<br/>[[Patricia Neal]]<br/>[[Phyllis Thaxter]]<br/>[[Juano Hernandez]] |
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| music = |
| music = [[Max Steiner]] |
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| cinematography = [[Ted D. McCord]] |
| cinematography = [[Ted D. McCord]] |
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| editing = Alan Crosland Jr. |
| editing = Alan Crosland Jr. |
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| country = United States |
| country = United States |
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| language = English |
| language = English |
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| budget = |
| budget = |
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| gross = |
| gross = |
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}} |
}} |
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'''''The Breaking Point''''' is a 1950 American [[film noir]] [[crime film|crime]] [[drama (film and television)|drama]] directed by [[Michael Curtiz]] and the second film adaptation of the [[Ernest Hemingway]] novel ''[[To Have and Have Not]]'' |
'''''The Breaking Point''''' is a 1950 American [[film noir]] [[crime film|crime]] [[drama (film and television)|drama]] directed by [[Michael Curtiz]] and the second film adaptation of the 1937 [[Ernest Hemingway]] novel ''[[To Have and Have Not]]'' <ref>{{AFI film|id=26244|title=The Breaking Point}},</ref> (the [[To Have and Have Not (film)|first one]] having featured [[Humphrey Bogart]] and [[Lauren Bacall]]). It stars [[John Garfield]], in his penultimate film role, and [[Patricia Neal]]. Subsequently [[Hollywood blacklist|blacklisted]] by [[HUAC]], Garfield's very last film was the self-produced and self-financed, ''[[He Ran All the Way]]''. |
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==Plot== |
==Plot== |
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Harry Morgan ([[John Garfield]]) is a sport-fishing boat captain whose business is on the skids and whose family is feeling the economic pinch. He begins to work with a shady lawyer, Duncan ([[Wallace Ford]]), who persuades him to [[smuggling|smuggle]] eight Chinese men from [[Mexico]] into [[California]] in his boat. Harry also |
Harry Morgan ([[John Garfield]]) is a sport-fishing boat captain whose business is on the skids and whose family is feeling the economic pinch. He begins to work with a shady lawyer, Duncan ([[Wallace Ford]]), who persuades him to [[smuggling|smuggle]] eight Chinese men from [[Mexico]] into [[California]] in his boat, the Sea Queen. Harry also meets a tramp by the name of Leona Charles ([[Patricia Neal]]). When his plan with Duncan goes wrong, Harry comes even more under the influence of the lawyer, who blackmails him into helping the escape of a gang of crooks, who pull a racetrack heist, by using his fishing boat to get them away from authorities. Harry convinces himself that his illegal activities will financially help his family. His wife, Lucy ([[Phyllis Thaxter]]), suspects Harry is breaking the law and urges him to stop for the sake of the family. Harry refuses and walks out. |
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As Harry waits for Duncan and the crooks on his boat, Harry's partner, Wesley Park ([[Juano Hernandez]]), arrives. Not wanting Wesley around when the crooks arrive, Harry tries to send him on an errand. The crooks arrive before Wesley leaves, though, and kill him. Harry is horrified, but is forced at gunpoint to transport the crooks out to open sea without drawing the attention of the [[United States Coast Guard|Coast Guard]]. Harry also learns that Duncan was killed during the escape from the heist. Wesley's body is dumped overboard. Harry uses a ploy to get his hands on two guns he had hidden away prior to the journey and kills all the crooks in a dramatic shootout. |
As Harry waits for Duncan and the crooks on his boat, Harry's partner, Wesley Park ([[Juano Hernandez]]), arrives. Not wanting Wesley around when the crooks arrive, Harry tries to send him on an errand. The crooks arrive before Wesley leaves, though, and kill him. Harry is horrified, but is forced at gunpoint to transport the crooks out to open sea without drawing the attention of the [[United States Coast Guard|Coast Guard]]. Harry also learns that Duncan was killed during the escape from the heist. Wesley's body is dumped overboard. Harry uses a ploy to get his hands on two guns he had hidden away prior to the journey and kills all the crooks in a dramatic shootout. |
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Harry, however, is critically wounded. Authorities find his boat the next day and tow it to port. Lucy rushes to Harry's side and tries to convince Harry to allow his arm to be amputated to save his life. Harry reaffirms his love for Lucy and |
Harry, however, is critically wounded. Authorities find his boat the next day and tow it to port. Lucy rushes to Harry's side and tries to convince Harry to allow his arm to be amputated to save his life. Speaking with difficulty, Harry reaffirms his love for Lucy and then closes his eyes. Paramedics arrive and carry Harry's motionless body into an [[ambulance]]. As they walk away from the wharf, Lucy pleads with the Coast Guard officer for assurance that Harry will live. The officer says nothing, as sorrowful music plays on the [[film score|soundtrack]]. In the final scene, Wesley's son, who was briefly introduced earlier in the film, stands alone on the dock looking around for his father. |
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==Cast== |
==Cast== |
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{{castlist| |
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* [[John Garfield]] as Harry Morgan |
* [[John Garfield]] as Harry Morgan |
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* [[Patricia Neal]] as Leona Charles |
* [[Patricia Neal]] as Leona Charles |
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* Donna Jo Boyce as Connie Morgan |
* Donna Jo Boyce as Connie Morgan |
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* [[Victor Sen Yung]] as Mr. Sing |
* [[Victor Sen Yung]] as Mr. Sing |
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}} |
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==Production== |
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Filming took place at [[Newport Beach, California]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Film Night: The Breaking Point – Laguna Art Museum |url=https://lagunaartmuseum.org/events/film-the-breaking-point/}}</ref> |
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==Reception== |
==Reception== |
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⚫ | [[Bosley Crowther]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'', lauded the film when it was first released. He wrote, "Warner Brothers, which already has taken one feeble swing and a cut at Ernest Hemingway's memorable story of a tough guy, ''To Have and Have Not'', finally has got hold of that fable and socked it for a four-base hit in a film called ''The Breaking Point'', which came to the Strand yesterday. All of the character, color and cynicism of Mr. Hemingway's lean and hungry tale are wrapped up in this realistic picture, and John Garfield is tops in the principal role ... Some solid production and photography along the coast and in actual harbors for small boats round out a film which is gripping and pictorially genuine."<ref>{{cite news |last=Crowther |first=Bosley |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1950/10/07/archives/the-screen-in-review-breaking-point-adapted-from-hemingway-story.html |title=The Screen in Review; 'Breaking Point,' Adapted From Hemingway Story, Starring John Garfield, at Strand |work=The New York Times |date=October 7, 1950 |access-date=July 27, 2013}}</ref> |
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==Radio== |
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===Critical response=== |
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The film was adapted for Australian radio in 1955.<ref>{{Citation |
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⚫ | [[Bosley Crowther]] |
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| title=COMMERCIAL |
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| journal=ABC Weekly |
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| volume=17| issue=39 (1 October 1955) |
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| location=Sydney |
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| publisher=ABC |
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| url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1541077255 |
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| id=nla.obj-1541077255 |
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| access-date=14 March 2024 |
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| via=Trove |
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}}</ref> |
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Has been shown on the [[Turner Classic Movies]] show 'Noir Alley' with [[Eddie Muller]]. |
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==Third film== |
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''[[The Gun Runners]]'', a 1958 film directed by [[Don Siegel]], is the third film based on the novel ''To Have and Have Not'' and stars [[Audie Murphy]] in the Bogart/Garfield role and [[Everett Sloane]] in [[Walter Brennan]]'s part as the alcoholic sidekick, although Sloane's interpretation was less overtly comedic than Brennan's.<ref>{{AFI film|id=52574|title=The Gun Runners}}.</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* {{Internet Archive film|id=thebreakingpoint1950_202004|name=The Breaking Point}} |
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* {{AFI film|26244}} |
* {{AFI film|26244}} |
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* {{IMDb title|0042281}} |
* {{IMDb title|0042281}} |
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* {{ |
* {{AllMovie title|85915}} |
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* {{ |
* {{TCMDb title|69624}} |
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* {{YouTube|mj1qoGBucJs|''The Breaking Point'' film trailer}} |
* {{YouTube|mj1qoGBucJs|''The Breaking Point'' film trailer}} |
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*[https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/4805-the-breaking-point-all-at-sea ''The Breaking Point: All at Sea''] an essay by [[Stephanie Zacharek]] at the [[Criterion Collection]] |
*[https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/4805-the-breaking-point-all-at-sea ''The Breaking Point: All at Sea''] an essay by [[Stephanie Zacharek]] at the [[Criterion Collection]] |
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{{Ernest Hemingway}} |
{{Ernest Hemingway}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Breaking Point}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Breaking Point (1950 film), The}} |
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[[Category:1950 films]] |
[[Category:1950 films]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:1950 crime drama films]] |
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⚫ | |||
[[Category:American crime drama films]] |
[[Category:American crime drama films]] |
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[[Category:American black-and-white films]] |
[[Category:American black-and-white films]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Remakes of American films]] |
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[[Category:English-language films]] |
[[Category:1950s English-language films]] |
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[[Category:Film noir]] |
[[Category:Film noir]] |
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[[Category:Films based on American novels]] |
[[Category:Films based on American novels]] |
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[[Category:Films based on works by Ernest Hemingway]] |
[[Category:Films based on works by Ernest Hemingway]] |
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[[Category:Films directed by Michael Curtiz]] |
[[Category:Films directed by Michael Curtiz]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Films scored by Max Steiner]] |
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[[Category:Films about the United States Coast Guard]] |
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[[Category:Films with screenplays by Ranald MacDougall]] |
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[[Category:Warner Bros. films]] |
[[Category:Warner Bros. films]] |
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⚫ | |||
[[Category:English-language crime drama films]] |
Revision as of 00:26, 13 May 2024
The Breaking Point | |
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Directed by | Michael Curtiz |
Screenplay by | Ranald MacDougall |
Based on | To Have and Have Not by Ernest Hemingway |
Produced by | Jerry Wald |
Starring | John Garfield Patricia Neal Phyllis Thaxter Juano Hernandez |
Cinematography | Ted D. McCord |
Edited by | Alan Crosland Jr. |
Music by | Max Steiner |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
Release date |
|
Running time | 97 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
The Breaking Point is a 1950 American film noir crime drama directed by Michael Curtiz and the second film adaptation of the 1937 Ernest Hemingway novel To Have and Have Not [1] (the first one having featured Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall). It stars John Garfield, in his penultimate film role, and Patricia Neal. Subsequently blacklisted by HUAC, Garfield's very last film was the self-produced and self-financed, He Ran All the Way.
Plot
Harry Morgan (John Garfield) is a sport-fishing boat captain whose business is on the skids and whose family is feeling the economic pinch. He begins to work with a shady lawyer, Duncan (Wallace Ford), who persuades him to smuggle eight Chinese men from Mexico into California in his boat, the Sea Queen. Harry also meets a tramp by the name of Leona Charles (Patricia Neal). When his plan with Duncan goes wrong, Harry comes even more under the influence of the lawyer, who blackmails him into helping the escape of a gang of crooks, who pull a racetrack heist, by using his fishing boat to get them away from authorities. Harry convinces himself that his illegal activities will financially help his family. His wife, Lucy (Phyllis Thaxter), suspects Harry is breaking the law and urges him to stop for the sake of the family. Harry refuses and walks out.
As Harry waits for Duncan and the crooks on his boat, Harry's partner, Wesley Park (Juano Hernandez), arrives. Not wanting Wesley around when the crooks arrive, Harry tries to send him on an errand. The crooks arrive before Wesley leaves, though, and kill him. Harry is horrified, but is forced at gunpoint to transport the crooks out to open sea without drawing the attention of the Coast Guard. Harry also learns that Duncan was killed during the escape from the heist. Wesley's body is dumped overboard. Harry uses a ploy to get his hands on two guns he had hidden away prior to the journey and kills all the crooks in a dramatic shootout.
Harry, however, is critically wounded. Authorities find his boat the next day and tow it to port. Lucy rushes to Harry's side and tries to convince Harry to allow his arm to be amputated to save his life. Speaking with difficulty, Harry reaffirms his love for Lucy and then closes his eyes. Paramedics arrive and carry Harry's motionless body into an ambulance. As they walk away from the wharf, Lucy pleads with the Coast Guard officer for assurance that Harry will live. The officer says nothing, as sorrowful music plays on the soundtrack. In the final scene, Wesley's son, who was briefly introduced earlier in the film, stands alone on the dock looking around for his father.
Cast
- John Garfield as Harry Morgan
- Patricia Neal as Leona Charles
- Phyllis Thaxter as Lucy Morgan
- Juano Hernández as Wesley Park
- Wallace Ford as F.R. Duncan
- Edmon Ryan as Rogers
- Ralph Dumke as Hannagan
- Guy Thomajan as Danny
- William Campbell as Concho
- Sherry Jackson as Amelia Morgan
- Donna Jo Boyce as Connie Morgan
- Victor Sen Yung as Mr. Sing
Production
Filming took place at Newport Beach, California.[2]
Reception
Bosley Crowther of The New York Times, lauded the film when it was first released. He wrote, "Warner Brothers, which already has taken one feeble swing and a cut at Ernest Hemingway's memorable story of a tough guy, To Have and Have Not, finally has got hold of that fable and socked it for a four-base hit in a film called The Breaking Point, which came to the Strand yesterday. All of the character, color and cynicism of Mr. Hemingway's lean and hungry tale are wrapped up in this realistic picture, and John Garfield is tops in the principal role ... Some solid production and photography along the coast and in actual harbors for small boats round out a film which is gripping and pictorially genuine."[3]
Radio
The film was adapted for Australian radio in 1955.[4]
Has been shown on the Turner Classic Movies show 'Noir Alley' with Eddie Muller.
References
- ^ The Breaking Point at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films,
- ^ "Film Night: The Breaking Point – Laguna Art Museum".
- ^ Crowther, Bosley (October 7, 1950). "The Screen in Review; 'Breaking Point,' Adapted From Hemingway Story, Starring John Garfield, at Strand". The New York Times. Retrieved July 27, 2013.
- ^ "COMMERCIAL", ABC Weekly, 17 (39 (1 October 1955)), Sydney: ABC, nla.obj-1541077255, retrieved 14 March 2024 – via Trove
External links
- The Breaking Point is available for free viewing and download at the Internet Archive
- The Breaking Point at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
- The Breaking Point at IMDb
- The Breaking Point at AllMovie
- The Breaking Point at the TCM Movie Database
- The Breaking Point film trailer on YouTube
- The Breaking Point: All at Sea an essay by Stephanie Zacharek at the Criterion Collection