''Kidnapped'' is a 1948

drama Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance: a play, opera, mime, ballet, etc., performed in a theatre, or on radio or television.Elam (1980, 98). Considered as a genre of poetry in general, the dramatic mode has been ...

directed by William Beaudine, starring

Roddy McDowall Roderick Andrew Anthony Jude McDowall (17 September 1928 – 4 October 1998) was a British actor, photographer and film director. He began his acting career as a child in England, and then in the United States, in ''How Green Was My Valley'' (1 ...

Sue England Sue England (July 17, 1928 – March 19, 2018) was an American actress. Early years England won beauty titles as a youngster -- "Miss Tulsa" when she was 6 years old and "Oklahoma's Sweetheart" when she was older. Career England's professional ...

and Dan O'Herlihy based on the 1886 novel of the same name by

Robert Louis Stevenson Robert Louis Stevenson (born Robert Lewis Balfour Stevenson; 13 November 1850 – 3 December 1894) was a Scottish novelist, essayist, poet and travel writer. He is best known for works such as ''Treasure Island'', ''Strange Case of Dr Jekyll a ...

. The former child star McDowall plays David Balfour in the story about a young man cheated out of his birthright by his wicked, covetous uncle Ebenezer (

Houseley Stevenson Houseley Stevenson (30 July 1879 – 6 August 1953) was a British-American character actor who was born in London on July 30, 1879, and died in Duarte, California on August 6, 1953. He began his movie career in 1936 and had a short career in ...

Plot

Scotland Scotland (, ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the ...

, 1751: At a stately manor near

Edinburgh Edinburgh ( ; gd, Dùn Èideann ) is the capital city of Scotland and one of its 32 Council areas of Scotland, council areas. Historically part of the county of Midlothian (interchangeably Edinburghshire before 1921), it is located in Lothian ...

, the young David Balfour arrives with a sealed letter from his recently deceased father for Ebenezer, his uncle. It is meant to be delivered to a family lawyer to introduce David as the rightful heir to the property. After slyly trying to kill his previously unknown nephew but failing, Ebenezer conspires with a sea captain, Hoseason, to take the boy hostage and sell him into slavery. A prisoner aboard ship, David soon meets Alan Breck, who, in need of rescue, now finds himself in danger of Hoseason stealing his gold and perhaps murdering him as well. David's quick intervention saves his life. Washed up ashore after a storm, David is hidden by an innkeeper's daughter, Aileen, then begins a long and arduous journey home. With the help of Alan, he is able to coerce a confession about the kidnapping from his uncle that is overheard by the lawyer, who now knows David to be the proper heir. Hoseason, feeling betrayed, tries to kill Ebenezer in a sword fight, resulting in the deaths of both.

Cast

Production

McDowall performed a radio version of the novel in 1946 with

Douglas Fairbanks Jr Douglas Elton Fairbanks Jr., (December 9, 1909 – May 7, 2000) was an American actor, producer and decorated naval officer of World War II. He is best known for starring in such films as ''The Prisoner of Zenda'' (1937), ''Gunga Din'' (1939) a ...

. In 1948 McDowall was making a series of films for Monogram Pictures on which McDowall would star and executive produce. They selected ''Kidnapped''. Dan O'Herlihy, who had just appeared in

Orson Welles George Orson Welles (May 6, 1915 – October 10, 1985) was an American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter, known for his innovative work in film, radio and theatre. He is considered to be among the greatest and most influential f ...

' ''Macbeth'' was signed to play Alan Breck. Filming started on Santa Catalina in May 1948. The film unit used

James Cagney James Francis Cagney Jr. (; July 17, 1899March 30, 1986) was an American actor, dancer and film director. On stage and in film, Cagney was known for his consistently energetic performances, distinctive vocal style, and deadpan comic timing. He ...

's yacht, the Swift. Studio work took place at

Nassour Studios Metromedia Square (later known as Fox Television Center from 1986 to 1996) was a radio and television studio facility located at 5746 Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California on the southeastern corner of Sunset and Van Ness Avenue ...

. Monogram considered making a sequel, ''David Balfour'', also starring McDowall. It was meant to follow '' Tuna Clipper'', the next McDowall-Parsons-Monogram film.Morros Jr., Questing McCormack Story Rights; 'David Balfour' on Slate Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 22 Oct 1948: 23. However this did not eventuate.

References

External links

* * * 1948 films Films directed by William Beaudine Films based on Kidnapped (novel) American black-and-white films American drama films 1948 drama films 1940s American films {{1940s-drama-film-stub