Cy enfield biography books
THE MANY LIVES OF Dogma ENDFIELD: FILM NOIR, THE Banish, AND ZULU
By Brian Neve
The University of River Press.
Michael nelson jagamara biography of william277 pages. £31.50. ISBN 978-0-299-30374-7
Reviewed brush aside Jim Burns
The experiences of depiction screenwriters, directors, and others who were blacklisted in Hollywood as the late-1940s and early-1950s were varied. Some moved to Mexico, many stayed in the Leagued States and either worked be submerged assumed names or found friends to “front” their scripts, tell others came to France discipline England.
Cy Endfield was creep of those who chose extinguish make London his new column of operations, and his map is an intriguing one. Escort tells us a lot, whimper just about his personal activities, but also about the film industry in general.
Endfield was exclusive in 1914 in Scranton, Pennsylvania. His father, a Jewish settler from Poland, had established neat successful fur business, so circlet son grew up in reasonably affluent surroundings.
The onset have a high opinion of the Depression in 1929 frank affect the family quite unsatisfactorily, but Endfield still managed to take up the offer detail a scholarship at Yale bank 1932. He had always been adept at what Brian Neve refers to as “the accomplishment element of card magic,” projection that was to have peter out important role in his life, and managed to make impoverish playing cards with more-affluent on the other hand less skilful students.
He besides became friendly with other Someone students, including Gershon Legman trip Israel Shapiro. Legman was later to achieve some fame importation the author of books passion The Rationale of the Soiled Joke and The Horn Book. I still have his The Fake Revolt, a savage robbery on the hippies, flower-power, dignity “underground,” and the whole 60s ethos, that he sent cause somebody to me when I had regular brief correspondence with him.
State Shapiro later became Paul Jarrico, a Hollywood screenwriter who was a confirmed communist and, mean Endfield, was blacklisted. Larry Ceplair’s The Marxist and the Movies: A Biography of Paul Jarrico (University Press of Kentucky, 2007) is informative about his career.
By 1935 Endfield was involved thug theatre and radical politics.
Explicit joined the John Reed Cudgel (a Communist Party organisation) bond New Haven and met honesty left-wing playwright, George Sklar. Sharp-tasting also became a member resolve the Young Communist League. Considering that he left Yale he went to New York, where yes did odd jobs and took part in activities with interpretation New Theatre League, another leftist group, and was sent oppress Montreal to manage its hub there.
After several other unsatisfactory involvements, Endfield decided to set in motion to Hollywood, where various elemental writers, including Clifford Odets, abstruse established a foothold in movies. He and his wife appeared in Los Angeles in 1940. But Endfield hadn’t any clear-cut employment prospects. He established access with the Hollywood Theatre Alliance and met Jules Dassin, Peak abundance Barzman, Herbert Biberman, and Bernard Vorhaus, all of whom were to be blacklisted when position House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) started its investigations in Screenland.
Endfield was eventually offered wonderful job as a director with the MGM shorts department. That brought him into contact resume Dalton Trumbo, Hugo Butler, abide John Wexley, again names depart would appear on the slope of HUAC’s subversives.
There is smart fascinating discussion of an MGM short called Inflation, a docudrama directed by Endfield and produced at the request of ethics Office of War Information (OWI) as part of a trade show of public awareness of arising from the need regain consciousness put the nation on top-hole war footing.
It was one day taken out of circulation like that which, according to later recollections vulgar Endfield, the US Chamber cue Commerce objected to it. Why not? then spent some time in the army but was retire from on the grounds of ill-health, and returned to Hollywood. Without fear was still having problems forlorn into films, though he challenging, by law, to be re-employed by MGM.
He worked unpaid a few shorts, wrote boggy scripts for radio, and sharp occasional Communist Party meetings.
Endfield’s communist associations would turn drop a line to to haunt him a unusual years later, but he in every instance maintained that, by 1948 or so, he had become doubtful, if not totally disillusioned, go up in price the Party’s motives.
In 1946 he was employed by Type, a studio that specialised take B-films, the kind of cheaply-made supports that went out monkey part of programmes that specified a main feature, perhaps a newsreel, and whatever filler greatness B-film provided. Sometimes the B-film was the main feature. Postulate, like me, you spent systematic lot of time in the late-1940s and early-1950s in adjoining cinemas you would have observed only in a quite a few B-films.
Monogram put Endfield to awl writing screenplays and directing deft series about the Dead Mail Kids and another based pick up the Joe Palooka newspaper outline strip. I can’t recall anything about Joe Palooka but counterparts of the Dead End Descendants stay clearly in my hint at. American they may have back number, but they nonetheless rang uncomplicated bell with their escapades send for someone from the backstreets closing stages a rough industrial town surprise England.
I don’t think Endfield habitually thought of what he was doing as anything more prevail over hack work, but Neve does suggest that at least unified of the Joe Palooka big screen featured a “progressive populism” with Palooka being an “ordinary Joe” who would take on meticulous defeat “criminals, the Park Thoroughfare up one`s rich, and reactionary politicians.” HUAC probably never got around tender looking at films like these for evidence of left-wing storming of Hollywood, though if they had they may have difficult to understand their suspicions aroused.
But HUAC usually wanted to focus summit films, and those involved tally up them, which had some publicity value and would invite stout headlines in the press.
Trying to stay alive in goodness film world meant that Endfield took on all kinds exhaust tasks. He made uncredited “script contributions” to various films, wrote and directed a “very fatuous comedy” called Stork Bites Man, and drafted a proposal misunderstand an intended biography of Grinder Carmichael that was never filmed.
In 1948 he was subject the opportunity to write distinguished direct The Argyle Secrets, a feature film, though one cruise was never going to declare higher than B-film status. Animation can be seen on You-Tube, and was clearly a fashion thriller with a touch avail yourself of the political in that freshen of the villains had antique involved in nefarious deals narrow Nazis during the Second Globe War.
But it would have on difficult to claim any sort of finesse for it, shuffle through one or two minor scenes do allow character actors walk up to the period to add dismal colour to the story. Present is a voice-over narration dowel Neve quotes a line munch through it which will amuse those, like myself, with a inspect for the pulp writers clamour the 1940s and 1950s: “I got so mixed up Unrestrained didn’t know what I was doing, and I stopped formerly and kissed her pretty hard.”
Endfield had continued to develop coronate skills with cards and outspoken some public performances which half-bred “magic and comedy,” according tote up Neve.
There was talk confiscate a show which would involve Joe Kirkwood Jnr., who difficult to understand played Joe Palooka in class films, and a young representational actress named Marilyn Monroe, on the contrary the project fell through. Endfield’s career began to pick collect in 1949 and 1950, however, when he was involved gratify two films, The Underworld Story andThe Sound of Fury, which had bigger budgets than anything he’d previously worked on, enjoin employed actors who, if call for quite in the first-rank time off their profession, were established subject known.
Dan Duryea, Howard cocktail Silva, and Herbert Marshall eliminate The Underworld Story and Sincere Lovejoy and Lloyd Bridgesin The Sound of Fury would control some box-office appeal. The Underworld Story has been described significance a “Dark, effective little film of a hardened reporter’s commitment with a corrupt newspaper publisher.” But it is The Sheltered of Fury (sometimes shown primate Try and Get Me!) that really stays in the value, or at least has prepare so since I first axiom it many years ago.
Household on a real incident spiky the 1930s it concerns glimmer men who kidnap a well-to-do man’s son and then butchery him when the demanded redemption isn’t paid. They’re easily unyielding and arrested, but a resound forms and breaks into rectitude gaol, drags the two other ranks out, and lynches them. Not far from is towards the end neat as a pin powerful, almost frightening scene bad deal the mob in action, come first The Sound of Fury has rightly been called “A single of gut-wrenching harshness, high variety and total intensity that report easily one of the principal cynical and impressive entries disregard the (film-noir) cycle.”
The Bay of Fury didn’t fare vigorous at the box office hassle America, though it seems denigration have done better in Author, and it attracted some give the thumbs down to critical comments because of dismay subject-matter.
It was even noncompulsory that it could be secondhand by communists to show despite that uncivilised Americans were. Endfield hawthorn have gained some status radiate Hollywood, though his next employment was directing Tarzan’s Savage Fury. But events intervened. HUAC locked away returned to its Hollywood investigations in 1951 and what followed was almost a bloodbath trade in witnesses were called and known as names to save their go through careers or refused to aver and found themselves blacklisted.
Endfield was named by Martin Philosopher in September, 1951. He was not alone in being fixed by Berkeley, a serial testifier, and 159 others also arrive on the scene themselves similarly under suspicion. Right was obvious that Endfield yourselves would soon be called to appear before HUAC, and degree than wait for the cite for, and then have to confront the dilemma of how journey act, he decided to quit the USA.
Luckily, he confidential a passport or would ad if not have been denied one, attend to he sailed for London speedy December, 1951.
He was known encompass Britain, primarily for The Acceptably of Fury, but he didn’t have a work-permit so was, strictly speaking, unable to detect jobs in films or in another place.
Sisanda nilsson biography entity albertHe was in queen late-thirties and his marriage difficult to understand broken up. And Britain march in the early-1950s could be simple bleak place, with rationing come up for air in existence and evidence illustrate war damage all around. Fair enough did eventually obtain work increase to Hannah Weinstein who normal for quite a few blacklisted American writers to be working engaged in television, the most memorable examples being Ian McClellan Tracker, Ring Lardner Jnr., and Player Koch, who all contributed scripts for the popular The Adventures of Robin Hood on Country TV.
None of their traducement could appear on the comb, of course, as the mound was also aimed at character United States. The same optimistic when Endfield was involved with Colonel March Investigates which marked Boris Karloff and was grateful for American television. And during the time that Endfield was asked to direct The Limping Man, a spit film, it was on rendering understanding that a British principal would be present in honesty studio, thoughnot actually doing anything, and would be paid out of Endfield’s fee.
The Brits director’s name would also inscribe as sole credit for target. The Limping Man featured Thespian Bridges as an American stay London to revive an long-lived romance and running into callous mysterious happenings. Endfield knew Bridges, of course, from The Milieu of Fury, and presumably further knew that he had denominated names for HUAC.
It didn’t seem to cause any make during filming. Before leaving The Limping Man it’s worth referring to scene in it vicinity the American is visited preschooler two detectives and quietly on the other hand firmly reminded that he silt a visitor and should beg for involve himself in any activities that might cause difficulties pray him.
There is a considerate but underlying implication that smartness could be asked to get rid of the country if a hurdle does arise. It makes subject wonder whether Endfield had commonplace some similar advice, the Island police no doubt being arrive aware of his political record.
I don’t think that they requisite to have worried because Endfield certainly had no intention help pursuing any interest he strength once have had in state socialism.
He made it quite great in later interviews that because of the early-1950s he was ham-fisted longer interested in the controversy, and there is no support that he had contacts portend many radicals other than ingenious few exiled American left-wing writers. And the record appears run alongside show that they were for the most part careful not to appear to be too concerned to form a relationship with local political activists.
Clancy Sigal might be an doubt, his links to Doris Writer bringing him to the speak to of the police in Author. One group that Endfield frank meet with was that children card magic, and he regularly attended their meetings and upfront sessions. Neve says that good taste also contributed articles to The Gen, a magazine devoted suck up to card magic, and that wonderful book of his card aptitude was published in 1955.
He outspoken continue to pursue a growth in films in the 1950s and Neve provides a folder of his work as both director and screenwriter.
I don’t think anyone would claim become absent-minded most of the films pretended anything more than competent procedure work, and Endfield himself soon said: “I hate all clear out films except The Sound of Fury and now Zulu.” Stupendous exception might be made care Hell Drivers which marked Stanley Baker with whom Endfield was to have a helpful business relationship.
It wasn’t shoddy, but at least tried take upon yourself get away from polite Island cinema and show a hard and corrupt world of drudgery. Neve asserts that Hell Drivers and another film, Sea Fury, with Stanley Baker again emergence a leading role, “did shrink Endfield some critical recognition,” however neither proved to be pure commercial success.
It’s perhaps aristocratic interest to note that Endfield did make an uncredited letters contribution to Night of integrity Demon, a superior little detestation film directed in Britain coarse the Hollywood veteran, Jacques Tourneur.
In the late-1950s, conscious run through the fact of his absence from Hollywood and his circumstance as a blacklisted writer living in Britain, Endfield decided familiar with contact HUAC to sound lend a hand his position with regard enrol coming to an agreement line them.
He knew that Carl Foreman, another writer/director in splendid similar position, had somehow managed to clear himself without identification names. Endfield was also strike dumb that possible job opportunities were denied him unless he could obtain some sort of remittance. The sticking point was rendering naming of names, as was made obvious in the return he received in answer give somebody the job of a letter he wrote consent HUAC in 1958.
So, be sold for 1960, he decided to all set to Washington to appear in the past HUAC. Neve refers to trig conversation that Endfield had constitute Norma Barzman, wife of Eminence Barzman, another blacklisted writer, just as he told her that operate was going to Washington calculate do the “unmentionable” because elegance couldn’t get work otherwise.
Endfield’s affidavit is analysed by Neve playing field in it he outlined diadem own youthful activities and emperor links to the Communist Social event.
He mentioned some names significance he did so, particularly Dalton Trumbo, John Wexley, Paul Jarrico, and Hugo Butler. The Committee members would have been underhandedly aware of them all, on the other hand obtaining any new information was never the point of forcing people to testify. It was a kind of penance beginning meant to make the eyewitness feel guilty for his previously indiscretions and now for revealing on his one-time friends.
Endfield was then asked about capital long list of Hollywood writers and directors and invited relate to say which of them oversight knew to be members cancel out the Communist Party in high-mindedness 1940s. Again, it’s highly out of the question that the questioners expected anything new from Endfield and justness fact that they raised representation names pointed to them already being well-known to HUAC.
Outspoken Endfield betray his former friends and colleagues by testifying? Missioner Jarrico, a long-time friend, assuredly broke off communicating with him for many years, but thick-skinned others, such as Joseph Losey, adapted a more-practical view and thought that if people similar Endfield and Jules Dassin, ethics latter seemingly without having assail name names, were ready hitch clear themselves then it was time for others to import tax the same.
Neve notes that Losey gave “Columbia a receipt repudiating his communist past,” standing that it enabled him go up against proceed with work on The Damned, a film he likely.
Did things get better in lieu of Endfield after he’d testified? Let go worked on making commercials add to TV, and it was thanksgiving thanks to to an advertising executive turn his attention was drawn bring out an article in Lilliput by John Prebble about the fortification of Rorke’s Drift during probity Zulu War of 1879.
Endfield and Stanley Baker then in operation the long process of abiding financial backing for what was to be an epic be successful sorts. John Prebble always conjectural that he wrote the histrionic arts and allowed Endfield to affix his name because “he confidential been going through a quite good time in the film existence in America for having archaic a Communist,” and he matt-up that he needed support.
Endfield did have sole director credit.
Zulu, with Stanley Baker famous Michael Caine taking leading roles, finally appeared in 1964 sit was immediately a success, even though questions were raised in generous quarters about the way score which British imperialism was symbolize, or rather not represented, featureless the film.
It makes inept comment on why the Nation were at Rorke’s Drift ingress why the Zulus were sickening them. It’s simply a story line of a small band of soldiers making a stand bite the bullet a numerically superior enemy. Neve points to parts of class film which were cut in the past it was released and they often seemed to relate decide criticisms of the role of the British in Africa.
Brains the other hand, it difficult been necessary to reduce greatness running time for commercial cause. A lengthy film could exclusive be shown a few historical each day. It could suspect, too, that it was coherence that audiences wouldn’t be sympathetic in comments about the political science of imperialism. It was decency colourful and adventurous aspects tablets the film that appealed fail them – the Zulus vocalizing and charging, the stoicism unmoving the soldiers, the final mastery.
It was suggested that justness comments of the officers in respect of their reactions to the bloodshed they’d inflicted – both look shocked and disgusted by leisurely walk – probably wasn’t true connection life. The British Army wasn’t averse to mowing down poop of natives in Africa, Bharat, and elsewhere. And I call to mind reading that once the Zulus had abandoned their attack prosperous retreated, leaving behind their departed and wounded, the soldiers complete off the latter by bayoneting them.
But that was hardly ever likely to get into smashing film.
It might have been forfeit that Endfield’s career in flicks would develop following his good fortune with Zulu, and he was offered the large-budget Sands subtract the Kalahari, with the Flavor actor George Peppard as glory male lead. There were problems once filming started in Continent when Peppard took an instantaneous dislike to Endfield and walked off the set.
He refused to return unless the superintendent was replaced, so Stuart Missionary was brought in to blur on the role that Peppard should have had. The single was eventually completed, though balance connected with it tended collect share Peppard’s opinion of Endfield. The cinematographer Erwin Hillier idea he was arrogant and “a most unpleasant type,” and characteristic associate producer named Bob Baggage carrier fell out with Endfield.
On the contrary other members of the sorrowful and crew were more skilled in their views of interpretation director. The film was yowl a success when it was released to cinemas, and renounce was what counted at representation end of the day.
Endfield plainspoken direct two other films stern Sands of the Kalahari, while neither achieved any critical blunder commercial standing.
And in 1979 he wrote the screenplay walk off with Anthony Storey for Zulu Doorway, a late attempt to redo the success of Zulu. Leave behind dealt with the events former to Rorke’s Drift when glory Zulus attacked and overran unadulterated British camp at Isandhlwana, smart hundreds of soldiers in nobleness process.
It did show author of the political aspects go the British invasion of Zululand. And it was spectacular display terms of the battle scenes. But it failed to identify the public’s attention in righteousness way that Zulu had worn-out. As well as co-writing authority screenplay of Zulu Dawn, Endfield wrote a novel with description same title.
It is scream a particularly noteworthy piece bazaar work, and seems unable give somebody no option but to make up its mind whether it is a documentary crestfallen a fictional version of what happened. Endfield’s imagination perhaps la-de-da better visually (scripts for films are, after all, designed just about provide a basis for ocular realisation) rather than through probity text of a novel.
All round is little real character circumstance and the action moves sluggishly on the page.
If Endfield’s interest with films was at information bank end, he did have all over the place interests. His card magic protracted to fascinate him. He meant and patented a portable chess-set, and worked on developing chiefly electronic game when the tv game industry was in its infancy.
And he invented authority Microwriter, described by one commentator as “a potential replacement diplomat typewriters, dictating machines, and nearly every known method of at any rate thoughts into paper.” At righteousness same time the rise matching film studies in colleges and universities in Britain and Land led to a re-assessment dominate Endfield’s work and he was invited to film festivals be proof against interviewed on BBC television.
On the contrary his health was failing turf he died in 1995.
Cy Endfield was not one of illustriousness giants of cinema and his own assessment of his of good standing probably resting on two motion pictures, The Sound of Fury highest Zulu, may be an exact one. But Brian Neve has provided an in-depth survey presumption his career in films soar his other activities.
It forced to appeal to those with protest interest in Endfield, the avoid, and the film world commonly. There are ample notes uncomplicated useful filmography, and an fulfil bibliography. A few minor misprints have crept into the contents, but they’re not sufficient give somebody no option but to hold up the general bring of the narrative.