Armored Command

Armored Command
Original film poster
Directed byByron Haskin
Written byR.W. Alcorn
Produced byRon W. Alcorn
StarringHoward Keel
CinematographyErnest Haller
Production
company
Distributed byWarner Bros-Pathe
Release date
  • July 9, 1961 (1961-07-09)
Running time
99 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Armored Command is a 1961 American war drama film directed by Byron Haskin, and starring Howard Keel and Tina Louise. It was filmed in Hohenfels, Bavaria, but takes place in the Vosges Mountains during the Southern France campaign.[1]

"It was the one picture that Howard Keel didn't sing on", reminisced Burt Reynolds later. "That was a terrible mistake."[2]

Plot

The Germans use a female spy to infiltrate an American position to get information on the movement of troops at the height of the Ardennes offensive.

Cast

Production

Ron Alcorn produced and directed the film and raised finance via Allied Artists.[3] Filming started 21 November 1960.[4][5]

Lt. Col. Thomas A. Ryan, who appeared in the film as the Major, also acted as the film's technical advisor.

Reception

The Los Angeles Times called the film "fairly good but it could have been better. A kind of poor man's Battleground."[6] The New York Times called it an "improbable little melodrama".[7]

Lawsuit

Major General Daniel H. Hudelson (retired), who commanded the 40th California National Guard in Korea and fought in the Battle of the Bulge, sued Allied Artists and Ronald Alcorn for $350,000 alleging unauthorised use of his story ideas. He claimed in 1955 he sent a tape recording of his experiences in the Vosges Mountains in France to a film company, and said they used his ideas in the film. He claimed the film had earned profits of $1.5 million.[8][9]

References

  1. ^ "Armored Command (1961) - Byron Haskin | Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related | AllMovie".
  2. ^ Siskel, Gene. (Nov 28, 1976). "Workaholic Burt Reynolds sets up his next task: Light comedy". Chicago Tribune. p. e2.
  3. ^ Scheuer, Philip K. (May 2, 1960). "Kovacs Latest Star Due to 'Go North': Mrs. Sessue 'Introduced'; 'Armored Commitand' Alerted". Los Angeles Times. p. C11.
  4. ^ Scheuer, Philip K. (Oct 28, 1960). "Road Now Rejoices in Original Casts: Keaton Will Assemble Silents; 'Anastasia' Set as Musical". Los Angeles Times. p. B9.
  5. ^ "Hollywood Production Pulse". Variety. 18 January 1961. p. 26.
  6. ^ Stinson, Charles (Sep 30, 1961). "'Armored Command' Proves Fair War Drama". Los Angeles Times. p. A9.
  7. ^ Archer, Eugene (Oct 7, 1961). "Screen: Nazi Strategem: 'Armored Command' at Local Theatres". New York Times. p. 14.
  8. ^ "General Sues Allied Artists Over Movie". Los Angeles Times. 4 July 1962. p. B6.
  9. ^ "General Sues Allied Artists Over Ideas Used for Movie". The New York Times. July 4, 1962. p. 13.


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