''Lydia Bailey'' is a 1952 American

historical film A historical drama (also period drama, costume drama, and period piece) is a work set in a past time period, usually used in the context of film and television. Historical drama includes historical fiction and romances, adventure films, and swa ...

directed by Jean Negulesco, based on the novel of the same name by Kenneth Roberts. It stars

Dale Robertson Dayle Lymoine Robertson (July 14, 1923February 27, 2013) was an American actor best known for his starring roles on television. He played the roving investigator Jim Hardie in the television series ''Tales of Wells Fargo'' and railroad owner Ben ...

and Anne Francis.

Plot

In 1802, lawyer Albion Hamlin travels from Baltimore to Cap François in Haiti. He wants to obtain the signature of Lydia Bailey, whose late father left his large estate to the United States government, who needs the money. Haiti is in turmoil because

Napoleon Bonaparte Napoleon Bonaparte ; it, Napoleone Bonaparte, ; co, Napulione Buonaparte. (born Napoleone Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French military commander and political leader wh ...

is trying to reclaim control of the island. Albion heard that Lydia will be with her fiancé, Col. Gabriel D'Autremont. Albion is shocked when his young guide, Nero, is killed by men trying to steal his luggage. Albion learns that the D'Autremonts are living at their country chateau inland. He is knocked unconscious, and wakes up to find out he was knocked out by King Dick, an educated man who supports

Toussaint L'Ouverture François-Dominique Toussaint Louverture (; also known as Toussaint L'Ouverture or Toussaint Bréda; 20 May 1743 – 7 April 1803) was a Haitian general and the most prominent leader of the Haitian Revolution. During his life, Louverture ...

. He reluctantly follows him to the D'Autremonts, and finally meets up with Lydia Bailey. Lydia consents to sign Albion's documents but Napoleons troops arrive and war breaks out. They struggle to get through the jungle back to the American ship in the bay and finally make it to the ship with King Dick's help.

Partial cast

as Albion Hamlin * Anne Francis as Lydia Bailey *

Charles Korvin Charles Korvin (born Géza Kárpáthi, November 21, 1907 – June 18, 1998) was a Hungarian-American film, television and stage actor. He was also a professional still and motion picture photographer and a master chef. Korvin was born in P� ...

as Col. Gabriel D'Autremont * William Marshall as King Dick * Luis Van Rooten as General Charles LeClerc *

Adeline de Walt Reynolds Adeline De Walt Reynolds (September 19, 1862 – August 13, 1961) was an American character actress who made her film debut at the age of 78 playing the grandmother of James Stewart in '' Come Live with Me'' (1941). She continued to act in films ...

as Antoinette D'Autremont *Angos Perez as Paul D'Autremont *Bob Evans as Soldier *Gladys Holland as

Pauline Bonaparte Paula Maria Bonaparte Leclerc Borghese ( French: ''Pauline Marie Bonaparte''; 20 October 1780 – 9 June 1825), better known as Pauline Bonaparte, was an imperial French princess, the first sovereign Duchess of Guastalla, and the princess cons ...

* Will Wright as Consul *Roy E. Glenn as Mirabeau *

Ken Renard Ken Renard (1905-1993) was an actor in the United States. He had roles in '' Strange Fruit'' on stage in 1945, the film '' True Grit'' (1969) and the television series ''Robert Montgomery Presents'' (1950–1957). He was born on November 19, 1905 ...

Juanita Moore Juanita Moore (October 19, 1914 – January 1, 2014) was an American film, television, and stage actress. She was the fifth black actor to be nominated for an Academy Award in any category, and the third in the Supporting Actress category at a t ...

as Marie *Carmen de Lavallade as Specialty dancer *Jack Cole as Dancer *Martin Wilkins as Voodoo priest *Albert Morin as Lieutenant *William Washington as Deckhand *Clancy Cooper as Codman *Muriel Bledsoe as Ametiste * Mildred Boyd as Marmeline *Marjorie Elliott as Rosida * Suzette Harbin as Floreal *Roz Hayes as Aspodelle *Dolores Mallory as Claircine *Lena Torrence as Attenaire *Frances Williams as Cloryphene *Ken Terrell as Barbe *Louis Mercier as Millet *William Walker as General La Plume

Production

Original novel

The novel was Roberts' first since ''Olivier Wiswell'' in 1940. It was published in January 1947. The ''New York Times'' called it "an entertaining chronicle" with a "preposterous plot". The book became a best seller.

Development

20th Century Fox first obtained the rights to Kenneth Robert's novel in September 1946, prior to the book being published. They paid $215,000 for a ten-year "lease" on the novel. Fox representatives said they had not even read the book, basing their sale on Roberts' reputation and an outline.

William Perlberg William Perlberg (October 22, 1900 in Łódź, Poland – October 31, 1968 in Los Angeles, California) was an American film producer. William Perlberg was born Wolf Perelberg, son of Israel Jakob Perelberg (later: Perlberg), a fur manufacturer ...

was assigned to be producer. The following month that job was given to Sol Siegel. Gene Tierney was the first star announced. Filming was pushed back after the British government introduced a tax on Hollywood films. This meant the loss of profits in England, which would be crucial in what would be an expensive movie. (Fox also delayed production of other costume pictures which would be expected to make money in Britain, including ''The Black Rose'', ''Julie'' and ''Down the Sea to the Ships''). In April 1948 the project was reactivated, with plans to make the movie using "frozen" funds owed to Fox in England and the Bahamas. In June Fox announced that Philip Dunne was writing a screenplay, and

Linda Darnell Linda Darnell (born Monetta Eloyse Darnell; October 16, 1923 – April 10, 1965) was an American actress. Darnell progressed from modeling as a child to acting in theater and film. At the encouragement of her mother, she made her first film in ...

would likely play the title role. However filming did not proceed. By May 1949 Susan Hayward, who had signed to Fox, was being mentioned as a star. In September Zanuck said the film would go into production "shortly". In February 1950 Fox said Tyrone Power would play the male lead. Plans t film in Haiti were delayed by disturbances in that part of the world. In November Jules Shernberg was appointed producer. Micheline Prelle was announced as star. In June 1951 Power refused the role. Power said he had filmed five historical-period films in a row and wished to do a film where "people talk normally and not in stilted dialogue." Errol Flynn claimed he was slapped in a bar by Canadian millionaire Duncan McMartin which he said aggravated a spinal injury and meant he was unable to take part in the film. He sued McMartin in the Bahamas Supreme Court for £80,000, which included his reported fee for ''Lydia Bailey'', $200,000. The court awarded Flynn $14,000 in damages. The lead was given to one of Fox's postwar contract players, Dale Robertson. Another contractee, Anne Francis, played Lydia. Jean Negulesco signed to direct it under a new four-year deal with Fox.

Shooting

With Fox's option on the novel running out, the film was shot at the 20th Century Fox Movie Ranch and

backlot A backlot is an area behind or adjoining a movie studio containing permanent exterior buildings for outdoor scenes in filmmaking or television productions, or space for temporary set construction. Uses Some movie studios build a wide variety of ...

of Fox's California studios. This was also the film debut of William Marshall.

References

External links

* * {{Jean Negulesco 1952 films American historical adventure films 1950s historical adventure films Films directed by Jean Negulesco 20th Century Fox films Films based on historical novels Films scored by Hugo Friedhofer Films set in Haiti Films set in the 1800s Films based on American novels Films with screenplays by Philip Dunne Cultural depictions of Toussaint Louverture Haitian Revolution films 1950s English-language films 1950s American films