Where's Jack?
Where's Jack? is a 1969 film recounting the exploits of notorious 18th-century criminal Jack Sheppard and London "Thief-Taker General" Jonathan Wild.
| Where's Jack? | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | James Clavell |
| Produced by | Stanley Baker James Clavell |
| Written by | Rafe Newhouse David Newhouse |
| Starring | Stanley Baker Tommy Steele |
| Music by | Elmer Bernstein |
| Cinematography | John Wilcox |
| Edited by | Peter Thornton |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Paramount British Pictures |
Release date | 1 April 1969 |
Running time | 120 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $3 million[1] |
The film was produced by Stanley Baker through his company Oakhurst Productions, and starred Baker himself as Jonathan Wild. Tommy Steele played Jack Sheppard. The film was directed by novelist James Clavell. Mary Hopkin sings the title song.
Plot
The ending of the film is ambiguous. It suggests the possibility that Sheppard may have survived his execution and escaped to the Americas.
Cast
- Tommy Steele as Jack Sheppard
- Stanley Baker as Jonathan Wild
- Alan Badel as The Lord Chancellor
- Dudley Foster as Blueskin
- Fiona Lewis as Edgworth Bess Lyon
- Sue Lloyd as Lady Darlington
- Noel Purcell as Leatherchest
- Eddie Byrne as Rev. Wagstaff
- Michael Elphick as Hogarth
- Howard Goorney as Surgeon
- John Hallam as The Captain
- Harold Kasket as The King
- Caroline Munro as Madame Vendonne
- Cardew Robinson as Lord Mayor
- George Woodbridge as Hangman
Production
Financing was provided by Paramount. According to producer Michael Deeley, this was obtained after a pitch Martin Baum, Stanley Baker's agent did to Charles Bludhorn, owner of Paramount. Baum described the film was being written by the writers of Point Blank (1967), produced by the maker of Zulu (1963) and directed by the man who made To Sir, with Love (1967) which made a combined profit of $45 million. Divided by four that meant a profit of over $10 million after $3 million cost was deducted. The pitch was successful and Deeley says it remains one of his happiest memories in getting a film funded.[2]
Peter Bart was an execute at Paramount at the time said Stanley Baker did the presentation with Deeley and Baum. Bart says Bludhorn believed that expensive films made the most money and was attracted to Where's Jack? in part by its cost, agreeing to finance without reading a script. He also claims Deeley presented him with the relatively inexpensive The Italian Job and Bart arranged for it to be financed without telling Bludhorn; Italian Job would go on to be a far more successful film.[3]
Peter Yates said at the time that Staney Baker was "rescuing" Tommy Steele from Hollywood musicals "to do some acting again".[4] The film was announced in February 1968.[5]
Filming took place in Ireland in June 1968. It finished by September.[6]
Reception
Where's Jack? turned out to be a box office flop.[2] The film was not even released in the USA after performing poorly in Europe.[1]
The Los Angeles Times wrote it was "astonishingly similar, markedly better" to another film about a highwayman which came out around the same time, Sinful Davey.[7]
References
- Hollywood Skeletons Haunt Studio Vaults GELMIS, JOSEPH. Los Angeles Times 21 Nov 1971: i11.
- Michael Deeley, Blade Runners, Deer Hunters and Blowing the Bloody Doors Off: My Life in Cult Movies, Pegasus Books, 2009 p 43-44
- Bart, Peter (2011). Infamous players : a tale of movies, the mob (and sex). Weinstein Books. p. 46-47.
- British Director to Film U.S. Dilemma Lesner, Sam. Los Angeles Times 9 Feb 1968: c14.
- They Only Die Twice By A. H. WEILER. New York Times 25 Feb 1968: D17
- Liza Minnelli Signs Pact Martin, Betty. Los Angeles Times 4 June 1968: f15.
- MOVIE REVIEW: 'Sinful Davey' Opens Run at Royal Theater Champlin, Charles. Los Angeles Times 29 May 1969: d1.