The Hunters (20th Century Fox) (1958)

The ‘Cleaver’. . . Robert Mitchum plays the role of a top fighter ace of the Second World War who becomes a jet commander in Korea in Twentieth Century-Fox’s “The Hunters,” coming ........ to CHESS Aes Theatre. Mat 1A Three Strikes And You're IN Richard Egan, who plays the starring role of “Colonel ‘Dutch’ Imil” in Twentieth CenturyFox’s CinemaScope, De Luxe Color production of “The Hunters; “WhicheoOpenSauww cect + at the Theatre, nearly didn’t have a career in Hollywood. Dick was tested by three major studios, failing each test before he finally was given a small part by a producer who had more faith in him. Now an accepted star, Dick looks back on those days with greater understanding both of his craft and of himself. “I was trying to play each role the way I thought the writer envisioned it,” he said recently, ‘not the way I should have played it in keeping with the demends of my own personality. All I managed to do was to chew up a lot of scenery.” His big break finally came when he was given a_starring role in “Untamed,” with Tyrone Power and Susan Hayward. Although he played a villain, he received an enormous amount of fan mail. Today, Dick is solidly set in Hollywood, as evidenced by his role in “The Hunters,” which also stars Robert Mitchum, Robert Wagner, May Britt and Lee Philips. Playing the role of “Imil” in the film about crack jet aces, Egan applies that lesson learned long ago. He is a tough, hardflying fighter pilot who, as a retread from the Second World War, finds himself in charge of a group of hot-shot pilots based near the Yalu River during the Korean War. “The Hunters” was produced and directed by Dick Powell. Bob Mitchum ‘Method-less’ Bob Mitchum, star of Twentieth Century-Fox’s CinemaSeope, De Luxe Color production of “The Hunters,” which opened at the Theatre, is known around Hollywood as a pretty forward looking sot of guy. But, there’s one thing he simply can’t accept, no matter how modern and _ pvrogressive it may be. That is the so-called ‘method’ school of acting which has swept American theatre classes in recent years. Interviewed while on the set of “The Hunters,” with co-stars Robert Wagner, May Britt, Richard Egan and Lee Philips, Bob said that he felt the new system of acting “might be okay on the live stage where there is a move intimate relationship between the actors and the audience, but not in the movies.” In motion pictures, Bob maintains, the actor is removed, less a focal point than on the stage because of the broader scope of a film production. “There are other phases to occupy the audience—camera work, background themes, music and even theatre and audience distractions which do not exist in a live theatre,” he said. As a case in point to substantiate his own view, there is certainly more Mitchum than “method” in Bob’s career, a career which has seen him on the top for some years. In “The Hunters,” which was produced and directed by singeractor turned film maker, Dick Powell, Bob plays the role of “Major Cleve Saville,” a top jet ace in the Korean campaign who is a re-tread from the Second World War. How he copes with the problem of being a flight commander over young daredevils much like himself of ten years before. mokes for an exciting portrayal, “method” or not. Charlie's Boys Grown The sons of Charlie Chan, famous Oriental detective whose success in theatres in the 1930’s and early 40’s is now being repeated on television, are really growing up. In his production of “The Hunters” for Twentieth Century-Fox. Dick Powell cast Victor Sen Yung, former son number two, and Key Luke, ex-son number one, in important roles in the tale of jet fighter pilots in Korea. Starring Robert Mitchum, Robert Wagner, May Britt, Richard Egan and Lee Philips, the CinemaScope, De Luxe Color picture is now at the Theatre. Another famous Hollywood Oriental player, Leon Lontok, plays a Red Korean jet ace with the improbable name of “Casey Jones,” who kills innumerable American pilots until he is knocked down by Bob Mitchum. eee ee eee Robert Wagner, Robert Mitchum and Lee Philips, jet flyers dowxed behind enemy lines in Korea, prepare to stand off a Red attack in this scene from Twentieth Century-Fox’s “The Hunters,” currently at the starred. Theatre. May Britt and Richard Egan are also Mat 2D B a d 'S L e Philip's Bride It has been along road for May Britt—although not in point of time—from being ‘“‘Yolanda — Daughter of the Black Pirate” to playing a starring role in Twentieth Century-Fox’s CinemaScope, De Luxe Color production of “The Hunters,” currently at the Theatre. During the five years between her first film role in a Carlo Ponti Italian production and her being signed by Fox production chief, Buddy Adler, she worked in European films, on a radio series and made numerous TV appearances in Rome. Her real break came when the late Al Lichtman, producer of “The Young Lions” for Twentieth, decided that May had exactly the right quality to portray the part of Marlon Brando’s wartime love. She was an instant success and American filmgoers clamored for more of the beautiful Swedish blonde who has been favorably compared to Greta Garbo and Ingrid Bergman. Inordinately shy in real life, May usually plays out-going, seductive types. In “The Hunters,” she plays the wife of Lee Philips, a fearridden jet pilot. She has a brief romance with Robert Mitchum, who plays Philips’ commanding officer and a jet ace. Robert Wagner and Richard Egan are also in the film. Although not yet completely adjusted to America, May (pronounced My) has enthusiastically entered a sort of personal training program designed to help her understand this new country which seems to promise so many things for her. Acting No Picnic Captain Hugh Matheson, project officer assigned by the Air Force to work with Dick Powell, producer and director of “The Hunters” at Luke Field, Arizona, turned actor and found it to be more dangerous than flying a F100 jet fighter. Matheson was stationed in a special portable control tower signelling a spectacular takeoff of over 35 jet fighters. The draft from the flame tubes of the first element of jets shattered the tower glass with the result that the captain had to have six stitches taken in his scalp. “The Hunters,” a Twentieth Century-Fox CinemaScope, De Luxe Color production starring Robert Mitchum, Robert Wagner, May Britt, Richard Egan and Lee Philips, is currently at the Theatre. Dick Not A Blow-Top Producer-Director Dick Powell, on the set of his latest picture for Twentieth Century-Fox, “The Hunters,” was heard to mutter to himself: “This place sounds like a rehearsal studio for a comedy act.” Cause of this comment was a hassle between the stars of the film — Robert Mitchum, Robert Wagner, May Britt, Richard Egan and Lee Philips—and the directorial staff. It went something like this: Powell: “In this scene I want Mitchum to blow his tov, then Egan and then Wagner.” Asst. Dir.: “Egan doesn’t blow his top, Philips does.” Wagner: “I thought Mitchum never blows his top.” Powell: “I don’t think you understand.” Philips: “Sure he does Dick, you want Mitch to get mad.” It was at this juncture that the film-maker delivered his barb. It seems that “blowing-a-top” is Air Force terminology for ejecting from a jet plane. something both Wagner and Mitchum, as well as Egan, must do in the story of jet fighter pilots in the Korean campaign. “The Hunters,” a CinemaScope, De Luxe Color production, is currently at the Theatre. Mitchum, Wagner Lead ‘Hunters’ In Jet Combat, Tender Romance (Advance) Linking the up-to-the-minute story of America’s top jet fighter aces with a tender love story, Producer-Director Dick Powell's CinemaScope, Twentieth Century-Fox’s “The @ will Hunters” have its local premiere PY Oi A a (epee te Theatre. Starring rugged Robert Mitchum with Robert Wagner, May Britt, Richard Egan and Lee Philips, the fast-paced action film marks an unparalleled co-operative effort on the part of the film-makers and the De Luxe Color production of Department of the Air Force. Using the total resources of the jet fighter command at Luke Field, Arizona, “The Hunters,” like Mr. Powell’s first and highly successful destroyer-submarine picture, “The Enemy Below,” also stars Mitchum as a tough battle commander. Robert Mitchum, a jet fighter ace on a brief holiday in Japax. from the war in Korea, confesses his love for May Britt, wife of a fellow officer in this tender scene from Twentieth Century-Fox’s “The Hunters,” CinemaScope, De Luxe Color production now at the Theatre. Mat 2A Bob's No Cube-Man, He's Gone! Although not a “method” actor, handsome Robert Wagner, star of Twentieth Century-Fox’s CinemaScope, De Luxe Color produc tion of “The Hunters,” currently at the Theatre, believes in “living” a role from the “inside” before going before the camera. This was apparent recently when the dynamic actor, who plays the part of a jive-talking jet fighter pilot in the Dick Powell produced and directed film, was interviewed on the set in Hollywood. It went. something like this: “What do you think of this newest role, Mr. Wagner?” “Crazy, man. . “T beg your pardon?” “George, daddio, George . . . it’s way out.” . the bitter end.” “Oh. Well how about your co-stars, Robert Mitchum, May Britt, | Richard Egan and Lee Philips them ?” “Voom, voom, man . the time . “How about Miss Britt?” “Swoony, man, swoony .. . .. did you enjoy working with . with them around it’s like partyville all . a real gasser, and that Mitchum, he’s solid T. . a living doll from happyland.” “Uh huh. Well, tell me something about your part . . kind of a character do you play?” -. what “Well, Pops, it’s like this, I’m a fireball, see? I’m a chopper on the way up.. . only the old Cleaver he thinks I’m too fast to last. I come on like gangbusters, dig me? Man, I tread on him like a hotel that I’m a crazy chopper. . | carpet ... but in the end it comes out easy-O because I really show .a killer man.. . oh Pops I really cut ’em up. I mean, like, I really strike ’em out... “Yes. Of course . . . but what about the picture?” “That’s what I’m telling you, man. Don’t you dig English?” “Well. I never had any complaints before.” “Well alreet man. . . listen-O. Like I said, me and Mitchum are the two big choppers, red hot fireballs, real crap shooters . . only I’m young see . “The big what?” .. and he’s the big heater from the last war.” “The big heater, man. Don’t you dig, daddio?” “Ahem. Well, thanks very much for the interview Mr. Wagner. I think if I hurry I can catch Dick Powell, that way I’ll be able to tell my editor what ‘The Hunters’ is all about.” “Cool, cool, daddy ...if he wants any more just tell him to step around here where the swinging deed is done and I’ll give him the scoop.” The only question now remaining is how Bob’s lovely bride, Natalie Wood, is going to communicate with her husband. Either she’ll have to learn jive talk or Bob will have to relearn English. New Look-Old Look? After one glance at the women wearing the Korean national costume for Dick Powell’s Twentieth Century-Fox CinemaScope, De Luxe Color production of “The Hunters,” Bob Wagner said to Robert Mitchum: “Now we know where the sack came from.” Mitchum, who plays the part of a jet fighter pilot in the action film which also stars Richard Egan, May Britt and Lee Philips, replied: “Yes, unless all those women are wearing maternity dresses.” The picture is currently at the Theatre, Hunters’ Held Over “The Hunters,” Twentieth Century-Fox’s CinemaScope, De Luxe Color production of the jet fighter command in Korea, which orened at the Theatre, has been held over for an additional ACCOPAING TO Mitten , manager. Starring Robert Mitchum, Robert Wagner, May Britt, Richard Egan and Lee Philips, the film was produced and directed by Dick Powell with the full co-operation of the U.S. Air Force and the Jet Fighter-Attack Command. 0 66 8 Ses. As a jet fighter ace who tries to recapture the thrill of the Second World War in the Korean conflict, Mitchum heads a daredevil squadron which _ includes Robert Wagner, a_hotshot pilot who closely resembles Mitchum in his younger days and Lee Philips, as a man whe flew each day believing himself to be a coward and that his wife loved another man. May Britt, Swedish beauty seen in “The Young Lions,” plays the part of Philips’ wife, who has a tender and meaningful love with Mitchum, a love which holds a strange ending for them both. Richard Egan is the commanding officer of Mitchum’s unit, and as such, one of the few men who truly knows the motivations of this professional killer of the air. Ten crack F86 fighter squadrons, along with a top jet acrobatic team make up the American film story fighter unit. Their adversaries are portrayed by sleek, differently constructed F84’s which, when painted light blue and emblazoned with the Red star, give a realistic impression of Korean MIG’s. Dramatic aerial combat shots between the F86’s and the F84’s constitute some of the most gripping and realistic dog fight scenes ever portrayed on the CinemaScope screen. With an Air Force technical advisor on hand at all times, himself a jet ace from the Korean campaign, the stars were subjected to an almost military manual of discipline during the filming in order to develop an authentic air. Producer Powell, using the trained Twentieth staff of tech nicians, managed to make the arid Arizona desert around Luke Field look impressively like the Korean landscape near the Yalu River area. By importing oxen, pumping water from sites miles away and hiring local in-state Chinese to portray Korean peasants, he was able to create typical Oriental rice paddies alongside the concrete runways of the jet air base. Finally, he deftly joined background footage—shot on _ location in Japan months earlier— with his current film to give an even and unbroken picture of the deadliness and bleakness of the jet fighter’s lot in Korea. “The Hunters,” a true and thrilling page from the journal of the U.S. Air Force combat fighter units, packs as much excitement and action as the flyers themselves have experienced in their deadly duels. The ‘Hot Shot’. . . Robert Wagner plays the part of a young jet fighter ace who clashes with Robert Mitchum, his superior officer, in Twentieth Century-Fox’s CinemaScope, De Luxe Color production of “The Hunters,” now at the ........ Theatre. Produced and directed by Dick Powell, the film also stars, in addition to Mitchum, May Britt, Richard Egan and Lee Philips. Mat 1B Page Three