The Carpetbaggers (1964)

Jonas Cord is a disagreeable young tycoon who's building planes, directing films and catting around on the corporate make in 1930's Hollywood.

Director:

Edward Dmytryk

Writers:

Harold Robbins (novel), John Michael Hayes (screenplay)

Stars:

George Peppard, Alan Ladd, Carroll Baker

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 2 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
George Peppard	...	Jonas Cord
Alan Ladd	...	Nevada Smith
Carroll Baker	...	Rina Marlowe Cord
Robert Cummings	...	Dan Pierce (as Bob Cummings)
Martha Hyer	...	Jennie Denton
Elizabeth Ashley	...	Monica Winthrop
Lew Ayres	...	'Mac' McAllister
Martin Balsam	...	Bernard B. Norman
Ralph Taeger	...	Buzz Dalton
Archie Moore	...	Jedediah
Leif Erickson	...	Jonas Cord Sr.
Arthur Franz	...	Morrissey
Tom Tully	...	Amos Winthrop
Audrey Totter	...	Prostitute
Anthony Warde	...	Moroni

Storyline

George Peppard plays a hard-driven industrialist more than a little reminiscent of Howard Hughes. While he builds airplanes, directs movies and breaks hearts, his friends and lovers try to reach his human side, and find that it's an uphill battle. The film's title is a metaphor for self-promoting tycoons who perform quick financial takeovers, impose dictatorial controls for short-term profits, then move on to greener pastures.

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Plot Keywords:

tycoon | hollywood | movie producer | showbiz | based on novel | 

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Taglines:

This is adult entertainment!

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Filmed in 35mm, this was one of the first films to be blown up to 70mm for its premiere screening.

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Goofs

When Jonas and Monica are touring the house, they walk into the master bedroom and she says, "adult playroom". Then the walk into the guest room supposedly, but you can tell it is the same door from a different angle, as the three thermostats are on the same side.

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Quotes

Jonas Cord: [referring to a porn film] As for this, I've seen it. Twice. You had good lighting and a bad director.

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Connections

Referenced in Apartment Zero (1988)

User Reviews

Watch for Alan Ladd.

If you don't know who Alan Ladd is, then disregard the rest of this review.

Without Ladd, this is a fun, early 60s splashy scandalous colorful morality tale with pricey production values.

With Ladd, it's a study of old hollywood historical roman a clefs surrounding Howard Hughes and the early days of moving pictures. Ladd, a hollywood legend who the fans loved, but who critics usually dismissed, and whose star had faded to a dim glow by now, plays a role he's too old for, but works it beyond his historical acting abilities, and gives this big hit of its time the only soul it has.

This movie is doubly good if you love movies and know a bit about hollywood history.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 October 1964 (UK)

Also Known As:

The Carpetbaggers

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Embassy Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

150 min

Sound Mix:

3 Channel Stereo (Westrex Recording System) (5.0) (L-R)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1