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Parrish
Parrish
	Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Delmer Daves
Written by	Delmer Daves
Based on	Parrish; 1958 novel; by Mildred Savage
Produced by	Delmer Daves
Starring	Troy Donahue; Claudette Colbert; Karl Malden; Dean Jagger; Connie Stevens; Diane McBain; Sharon Hugueny
Cinematography	Harry Stradling Sr.
Edited by	Owen Marks
Music by	Max Steiner
Color process	Technicolor
Production; company	Warner Bros.
Distributed by	Warner Bros.
Release date	May 4, 1961;
Running time	138 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$1.5 million
Box office	$4.2 million (US/ Canada rentals)

Parrish is a 1961 American drama film made by Warner Bros. It was written, produced and directed by Delmer Daves, based on Mildred Savage's 1958 novel of the same name. The music score was by Max Steiner, the Technicolor cinematography by Harry Stradling Sr., the art direction by Leo K. Kuter and the costume design by Howard Shoup. The film stars Troy Donahue, Claudette Colbert (in her final theatrical film role), Karl Malden, Dean Jagger, Connie Stevens, Diane McBain, Sharon Hugueny, Sylvia Miles, Madeleine Sherwood and Hayden Rorke.

Plot

The film shows the story of conflict between a young, independent-minded man and his stepfather, a ruthless tobacco tycoon. Young Parrish McLean and his mother live on Sala Post's tobacco plantation in the state of Connecticut. His mother marries Post's ambitious rival Judd Raike, who then sets about ruining Post. The Connecticut shade tobacco in the story is extensively visible in some scenes.

Cast

Troy Donahue as Parrish McLean
Claudette Colbert as Ellen McLean
Karl Malden as Judd Raike
Dean Jagger as Sala Post
Connie Stevens as Lucy
Diane McBain as Alison Post
Sharon Hugueny as Paige Raike
Dub Taylor as Teet Howie
Hampton Fancher as Edgar Raike
David Knapp as Wiley Raike
Saundra Edwards as Evaline Raike
Sylvia Miles as Eileen
Bibi Osterwald as Rosie
Madeleine Sherwood as Addie
Hayden Rorke as Tom Weldon

Other notable appearances include Frank Campanella as Foreman, Terry Carter as Cartwright, Don Dillaway as Max Maine, Gertrude Flynn as Miss Daly, Vincent Gardenia in a bit part, House Jameson as Oermeyer, and Carroll O'Connor as Firechief.

Original novel

Warners bought the film rights, even before publication. for a figure reported to be between $160,000 and $200,000.^[4] When the novel was published in 1958 the New York Times called it an "impressive debut".^[5]

Production

The original director was Joshua Logan with John Patrick to write the script. Clark Gable was mentioned as a possible male lead.^[6] A nationwide talent search was launched to find the younger male lead^[7] although Anthony Perkins was also a frontrunner. Natalie Wood was announced as young female lead.^[8]

Delmer Daves then became involved as director, which saw Troy Donahue come on board as the lead.^[9]

Parts of the movie were shot in East Windsor and Poquonock (Windsor), Connecticut. Mildred Savage, on whose novel the film was based, was a frequent visitor to the set. She was quoted during filming as saying:

My central theme — and fortunately Mr. Daves agrees about this — is that young people today are neither "beat" or "lost". I wanted to show an affirmative hero who may be confused because of his youth and sex troubles, but who is still masculine, unaffected and optimistic — able to get ahead on his own two feet. The idea of setting this story in the tobacco industry came last. It seemed sensible to put a vigorous, healthy young man to work in the soil.^[1]

Delmer Daves differentiated the film from his earlier A Summer Place:

There I tried to dramatize the terrible end of communication between parents and children. Here, in this day of mass identification, I show the need for a young man to establish his individual liberty against the world's increasing push towards conformity.^[1]

It was Claudette Colbert's first film in six years. "I didn't really intend to make another picture", she admitted at the time. "I took this one because I felt it had a point of view. The mother wants to break the silver cord and lead a normal sex life of her own."^[1]

"Working with these kids is a little tough sometimes", said Karl Malden of the film's youthful cast. "Still, they're eager and they're learning. And we can always do retakes if something goes wrong."^[1]

Soundtrack

Max Steiner composed the film score. On this film he made use of his belief that "every character should have a theme." The Warner Bros. Records soundtrack (WS-1413) recording used five of the film's main themes in both a short version and a concerto versions. In addition to the "Tobacco Theme", (for tobacco heir Parrish McLean), "Paige's Theme", "Allison's Theme", "Lucy's Theme", and "Ellen's Theme;" the soundtrack included Steiner's song "Someday I'll Meet You Again" (from Passage to Marseille). Max Steiner conducted the Warner Bros. Orchestra. Side 2 of the soundtrack album featured George Greeley as guest pianist, playing three of the film themes, together with two other Steiner film themes, Tara's Theme (from Gone With The Wind) and the Theme from A Summer Place. George Greeley was also featured on several singles issued by Warner Brothers.

Reception

The film was a success at the box office but received little critical acclaim.

A 1965 New York Times article called it "pure camp".^[10]

In 1967, Donahue described the film as the most satisfying of his movies to date. "I had the best script and the best opportunity as an actor", he said. "Not too many of those came my way."^[11]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e EUGENE ARCHER (June 5, 1960). "FOCUS ON A CONNECTICUT 'PARRISH'". New York Times. p. X5.
^ "All-Time Top Grossers", Variety, 8 January 1964 p 69
^ "1961 Rentals and Potential". Variety. January 10, 1961. p. 13.
^ THOMAS M. PRYOR (May 7, 1958). "WARNERS TO FILM NEWCOMER'S BOOK: Studio Acquires 'Parrish' by Mildred Savage – Hearing May 20 for Musicians". New York Times. p. 42.
^ EDMUND FULLER (October 26, 1958). "Tobacco Culture: PARRISH. By Mildred Savage. 470 pp. New York: Simon & Schuster. $4.95. Tobacco Culture". New York Times. p. BR4.
^ Hopper, Hedda (November 3, 1958). "Looking at Hollywood: Josh Logan Gets Rights to Pasternak Novel". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. b16.
^ "FILMLAND EVENTS: Alan Scott Scripts New 'Stage Door'". Los Angeles Times. December 19, 1958. p. B8.
^ THOMAS M. PRYOR (March 2, 1959). "PARAMOUNT PLANS TO PRODUCE FOR TV: To Provide Funds and Studio for Filmed Series as First Step – Extras in Dispute". New York Times. p. 32.
^ Hopper, Hedda (May 29, 1960). "GOLDEN BOY TROY: Tall, Talented, and Terrific, He Has Attained the Fame Hedda Predicted for Him Last January". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. b16.
^ Meehan, Thomas. "Not Good Taste, Not Bad Taste — It's 'Camp': Not Good Taste, Not Bad Taste — It's 'Camp'" The New York Times (March 21, 1965)
^ Clifford, Terry "Troy Donahue Newest Film 'Kid You'" Chicago Tribune (January 8, 1967)