Wild Seed (film)

Wild Seed
Theatrical release poster
Directed byBrian G. Hutton
Screenplay byLester Pine
Story byIke Jones
Lester Pine
Produced byMarlon Brando, Sr.
Albert S. Ruddy
StarringMichael Parks
Celia Kaye
CinematographyConrad L. Hall
Edited byHugh S. Fowler
Music byRichard Markowitz
Production
company
Pennebaker Productions
Distributed byUniversal Pictures
Release date
  • May 5, 1965 (1965-05-05) (Chicago)
Running time
99 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budgetless than $300,000[1]

Wild Seed is a 1965 American drama romance film directed by Brian G. Hutton and starring Michael Parks and Celia Kaye. The film was shot in black and white.[2]

Plot

Seventeen-year-old Daphne Simms (Kaye) learns of her biological father from letters left by her deceased mother. She runs away from her New York home and adopted parents in search of her father in Los Angeles. Unaware of the dangers on the road, she attempts to hitchhike but learns a valuable lesson early. A seemingly nice, middle-aged man offers her a ride then takes her into a deserted area where he tries to take advantage of her. She manages to escape, but she is left in the darkness in the middle of nowhere. She succeeds in finding the main road and eventually reaches a gas station. It is here she meets Fargo (Parks). Initially wary of his attention, they eventually start a conversation. Though it appears that Fargo's intentions are to hustle her for money, she agrees to allow him to help her get to California. Through run-ins with hobos and the police, arguments with and misunderstandings about each other, and a serious illness while on their journey, a close friendship forms, and they begin to have feelings for each other.

Upon arriving in L.A., Daphne finds her father, but she is disappointed. At the couple's hotel, Daphne's adopted parents arrive and ask her to accompany them home. They express forgiveness and a willingness to accept Fargo, suggesting they will help him settle in New York. Fargo rejects the offer and tells Daphne to go with her parents. Later that night as he leaves a bar, he finds Daphne waiting for him outside. She has decided to stay with him. Arms around each other, they walk along the dark street.

Cast

Production

The film was originally known as Daffy.[3] The script originally was written in 1957 and sold to Marlon Brando's company, Pennebaker Productions.[1] Initially considered as a starring vehicle for Brando, the actor was deemed too old for the part. The film was shot in 24 days. Producer Ruddy had two endings made, one with the lovers going their separate ways and the other with their staying together.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b MURRAY SCHUMACH (Mar 22, 1964). "HOLLYWOOD 'DAFFY' EXPERIMENT: Tyros Film Low Budget Drama Under Special Universal Program". New York Times. p. X11.
  2. ^ Wild Seed at IMDb
  3. ^ Schumach, Murray (1964-03-22). "HOLLYWOOD 'DAFFY' EXPERIMENT". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2017-08-18.
  4. ^ "Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s".