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The Brigand
The Brigand
	Original film poster
Directed by	Phil Karlson
Written by	Jesse L. Lasky, Jr.
Based on	treatment by George Bruce; novel by Alexandre Dumas
Produced by	Edward Small (uncredited)
Starring	Anthony Dexter; Jody Lawrance; Anthony Quinn
Cinematography	W. Howard Greene
Edited by	Jerome Thoms
Music by	Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco
Color process	Technicolor
Production; company	Resolute Pictures
Distributed by	Columbia Pictures
Release dates	June 25, 1952 (United States); July 25, 1952 (New York City);
Running time	94 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

The Brigand is a 1952 American adventure romance film directed by Phil Karlson and starring Anthony Dexter, Jody Lawrance and Anthony Quinn.

It is the second film that Dexter made for producer Edward Small and Columbia Pictures after his debut as Rudolph Valentino in the romantic biographical film Valentino (1951).

Plot

A rogue exile impersonates a King and a virtuous person wants to be so because he is the rightful heir to the throne.

Loosely based on The Brigand by Alexandre Dumas, the film is set in the Napoleonic era in 1804 in the mythical Iberian nation of "Mandorra". The film bears a resemblance to The Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony Hope with Dexter playing a dual role of a rogue exile who impersonates a King in danger of being overthrown by his cousin played by Anthony Quinn.

The scheming Quinn plans a "premeditated accident" to King Lorenzo by giving him a hunting weapon that is rigged to fire backwards. With the real King unable to perform his duties, the swashbuckling distant relative Carlos DeLago, late of the Sultan of Morocco's Guard steps in to save the Kingdom.

Cast

Anthony Dexter as Captain Carlos Delargo/King Lorenzo of Mandorra
Jody Lawrance as Princess Teresa
Gale Robbins as Countess Flora
Anthony Quinn as Prince Ramon
Carl Benton Reid as Prime Minister Triano
Ron Randell as Captain Ruiz
Ian MacDonald as Maj. Schrock
Lester Matthews as Dr. Lopez
Walter Kingsford as Sultan of Morocco
Holmes Herbert as Archbishop
George Melford as Majordomo (uncredited)

Production

In May 1949 it was reported that producer Edward Small had hired Robert Libott, and Frank Burt to write a script.^[1] In December 1949 Small signed a two-year contract with Columbia Pictures to make "projects he had been developing for some time," "two to six" films, starting with adventure film Lornna Doone (1951) directed by Phil Karlson^[2].

At the same time, Small had another contract with Columbia to distribute Valentino (1951), his biopic of Rudolph Valentino starring Anthony Dexter.^[3] In August 1950 Small announced that he would make two films fot Columbia starring Dexter, The Brigand, and a remake of Valentino's 1921 romantic drama The Sheik.^[4]

In May 1951 Jesse L. Lasky, Jr., who worked on Lornna Doone, was reportedly writing the script of the film^[5] while Karlson was announced as director. Several actors return too: Carl Benton Reid, Ron Randell,^[6] and Lester Matthews.

Filming started 9 July 1951.^[7] After the production, Small left Columbia to return to United Artists.^[8]

Reception

The New York Times called it "no great shakes. But neither, as a standard sample of this type of entertainment, is it hard to take."^[9] Variety called it "a program swashbuckler".^[10] The Los Angeles Times said "serious characterisation gives way to dash and colour."^[11]

References

^ "MOVIELAND BRIEFS". Los Angeles Times. May 3, 1949. p. A7.
^ Vagg, Stephen (August 10, 2019). "Unsung Aussie Actors – Ron Randell: A Top Twenty". Filmink.
^ "METRO WILL FILM STORY OF ISRAEL". New York Times. Dec 21, 1949. p. 41.
^ Schallert, Edwin (Aug 22, 1950). "Mitchell Likely Cap'n Andy; Preston to Star as Heavy With Rooney". Los Angeles Times. p. A11.
^ "STUDIO BRIEFS". Los Angeles Times. May 16, 1951. p. B8.
^ "JAPANESE ACTRESS GETS ROLE IN MOVIE". New York Times. May 22, 1951. p. 37.
^ Schallert, Edwin (May 22, 1951). "Drama: 'Ice Cream League' Will Aid Cause of Juveniles; Mary Anderson Stars". Los Angeles Times. p. B7.
^ Schallert, Edwin (Dec 22, 1949). "'Telegraph Hill' Aimed at Andrews and Prelle; Kazan Runs 'Streetcar'". Los Angeles Times. p. 15.
^ H. H. T. (26 July 1952). "The Brigand' Plays Dual Role at Palace". New York Times. p. 9.
^ "Review of film". Variety.
^ Scott, John L. (31 July 1952). "SWASHBUCKLERS TAKE OVER ON TWO SCREENS". Los Angeles Times. p. A7.