Adventures of Don Juan (1948)

Director:

Vincent Sherman

Writers:

Herbert Dalmas (story)
George Oppenheimer (writer) ...

Release Date:

1 December 1948 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Romance

Tagline:

History's Boldest Lover . . . Most Daring Swordsman ! !

Plot:

The great lover Don Juan comes to the assistance of his queen.

Plot Keywords:

Don Juan | Queen | King | Fencing | Arranged Marriage

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 1 nomination

Cast

Errol Flynn	...	Don Juan
Viveca Lindfors	...	Queen Margaret
Robert Douglas	...	Duke de Lorca
Alan Hale	...	Leporello
Romney Brent	...	King Phillip III
Ann Rutherford	...	Donna Elena
Robert Warwick	...	Count de Polan
Jerry Austin	...	Don Sebastian
Douglas Kennedy	...	Don Rodrigo
Jean Shepherd	...	Donna Carlotta (as Jeanne Shepherd)
Mary Stuart	...	Catherine
Helen Westcott	...	Lady Diana
Fortunio Bonanova	...	Don Serafino
Aubrey Mather	...	Lord Chalmers
Una O'Connor	...	Duenna

Also Known As:

The New Adventures of Don Juan (UK)

Runtime:

110 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

Argentina:13 | Australia:G | Finland:K-12 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Lasky Mesa, West Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

The last of 13 films that Alan Hale appeared in with close friend Errol Flynn. Hale died on 22 January 1950, just over a year following this film's release.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: In the scene where the ambassador tells Don Juan that he is to return to Spain, the ambassador wears the stiff collar called golilla, an item of clothing that belongs to the reign of Philip IV, which started in 1621. The story of this movie takes place during the reign of Elizabeth I of England, who died in 1603.

Quotes:

Queen Margaret: The palace has large keyholes. My informer has small ears.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Il maestro di Don Giovanni (1954)

A fitting final Warner swashbuckler for Flynn...

Errol Flynn, at 38, was not exactly as dashingly handsome as he was in his earliest triumph ('The Adventures of Robin Hood') for his life style had begun taking a physical toll on his health. But he looks in good shape (for the most part, except for some tell-tale closeups) and carries off the role with his usual zest, good humor and athletic grace.

He still has a good sidekick in Alan Hale who gets some witty banter with Flynn throughout the fast-moving film. Victor Sherman directs the tongue-in-cheek adventure tale with great style. All of the court intrigue and swashbuckling derring-do is photographed in gorgeous technicolor and accented by a lush pseudo-Spanish Max Steiner score. Fine bits of villainy supplied by Robert Douglas and Raymond Burr and some high spirited romance from women like Viveca Lindfors (at the peak of her physical beauty) and Ann Rutherford.

For fans of Flynn films, this is one of his best. None of it can be taken seriously, but that's part of the fun. From the wry opening to the sly closing scene, this is a pure delight if you're seeking escapist adventure photographed in some of the best color cinematography ever seen.