The film was originally titled Paradise Lost '49 and was to star Dana Andrews, who had appeared in Sword in the Desert, also produced by Robert Buckner, Andrews became unavailable and Victor Mature and John Garfield were discussed as possible alternatives.[3]
Eventually the lead role was assigned to Jeff Chandler after he had impressed Universal Studios with his performance in Sword of the Desert and Broken Arrow.[4] "I don't know why I got it", Chandler said of the role, joking that "maybe it's because I'm saving them money."[5]
Chandler required a three-week leave of absence from the Our Miss Brooks radio program in order to make the film.[6] His second daughter was born during the making of the film.[7]
Much of the film was shot in Italy on location in Naples, Siena and Tuscany over five weeks in late 1949. Of the actors, only Chandler and Märta Torén were brought in from the U.S., with the rest coming from Italy or France.[8] Filming began early in 1950.[9][10]
Writer-producer Robert Buckner praised filming on location in Italy. He said that Universal had set aside $300,000 in frozen currency to make the film, but he ended up using only $117,000. He also said that if Chandler had not been required to return to the U.S. to fulfil a radio commitment requiring three weeks of filming in a Hollywood studio, another $100,000 could have been saved.[11]
The film is said to be based on the famous Italian gangsterLucky Luciano. However, Chandler denied this, saying that the character that he played was that of a small-time gangster, "and what happens after he lands is quite different from what happened to Luciano. I understand Luciano was really disappointed when our producer, Robert Buckner, mentioned this to him."[12]
^"MOVIELAND BRIEFS". Los Angeles Times. Oct 9, 1948. p. 9.
^Thomas F. Brady "Hollywood." (Dec 18, 1949). "Hollywood Notes: Buckner Plans Second Film in Italy Next Spring – Fox Bows Out – Bogart Explains". New York Times. p. X5.
^Schallert, Edwin (Feb 28, 1949). "Andrews in Israeli Film; Lupino Pacts New Stars; Duryea Goes Mean Again". Los Angeles Times. p. B5.
^Hopper, Hedda (8 Aug 1949). "Looking at Hollywood". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. A2.
^A. H. Weiler (Aug 21, 1949). "By Way of Report". New York Times. p. X3.
^THOMAS F. BRADY (Sep 6, 1949). "AWARD OF 'OSCARS' SET FOR A THEATRE: RKO Pantages in Hollywood Is Donated to Film Academy for 1950 Presentations". New York Times. p. 24.
^"Jeff Chandler Back to Greet New Baby". Los Angeles Times. Oct 30, 1949. p. A2.
^Frank Daugherty (18 Nov 1949). "'Deported' Filmed in Italy". The Christian Science Monitor. p. 5.
^""Deported" Stars Leave for Italian Location". Chicago Daily Tribune. Jan 1, 1950. p. E7.
^Harry Niemeyer Rome (Nov 6, 1949). "Progress Note : On the Filming in Italy of 'Deported'". New York Times. p. X4.
^Thomas F. Brady Hollywood m. (Dec 18, 1949). "Hollywood Notes : Buckner Plans Second Film in Italy Next Spring – Fox Bows Out – Bogart Explains". New York Times. p. X5.
^Scheuer Philip K. (Oct 29, 1950). "Jeff Chandler Finally Gets to 'Act His Age': Rising Young (31) Screens Player Considers Himself 'a Lucky Kid'". Los Angeles Times. p. D3.
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