Kona Coast (film)

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Kona Coast
Kona Coast (film).jpg
Directed by Lamont Johnson
Written by Gilbert Ralston
Based onBimini Gal
1968 story
by John D. MacDonald
Produced byLamont Johnson
executive:
Richard Boome
Starring Richard Boone
Vera Miles
Joan Blondell
Steve Ihnat
Cinematography Joseph LaShelle
Edited byAlec McCrombie
Music by Jack Marshall
Production
company
Pioneer Productions
Distributed by Warner Bros.-Seven Arts
Release date
  • May 10, 1968 (1968-05-10)
Running time
93 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$900,000 [1]

Kona Coast is a 1968 American drama film directed by Lamont Johnson, starring Richard Boone and Vera Miles. [2]

Contents

Plot

Sam Moran (Richard Boone) is a Honolulu charter-boat captain who leads fishing expeditions in the tropical paradise. When his daughter is found murdered at the party of a wealthy young playboy, he seeks the truth about the murder. Convinced the playboy is guilty, he enlists the help of his friend Kittibelle (Joan Blondell), who runs an alcohol-abuse treatment center where Sam's former love Melissa (Vera Miles) is a recovering alcoholic.

Sam runs into a wall of silence obviously built by hush money and islanders fearful of reprisals from the rich and powerful family. The determined dad fights to uncover the information that will land the murderer in jail as he avenges the death of his daughter.

Cast

Production

Producers at Seven Arts approached John D. MacDonald to see if he had any ideas for a TV series. He did a treatment for a show set in the Bahamas called Bimini Gal, which he wrote for Robert Mitchum. Eventually this became Kona Coast. [1]

Richard Boone had moved to Hawaii and was keen to help establish film production in the state. He did a deal with CBS who agreed to put up most of the budget for Kona Coast. It was produced by Boone's Pioneer Productions and was distributed by Seven Arts. CBS were hoping it would lead to a TV series, but the film was shot as a theatrical feature rather than a pilot. In May 1967, Boone said "I really don't want to do another series but I've been battling for three years to get production going in Hawaii and if a series will do it, I'll go." [3] CBS produced $750,000 of the $900,000 budget. [1]

The film was produced and directed by Lamont Johnson, who was friends with Boone and had worked with him several times in television. Harlan Ellison was hired to write the script, but he clashed with Boone, and Gil Ralston replaced Ellison. [1]

In July 1967, Vera Miles signed to co star. [4]

Boone said "my role in the movie - and, hopefully, in a series - is so much like me that it's ridiculous. The guy's got a large fishing boat - I own a 42 footer - he'll do anything for a price, he's easy going and loves kids, intelligent enough to deal sympathetically with all the varied groups in the islands, but a hard guy when he's turned on." [5]

It was the first movie to use Cinemobile technology, which enabled the film to be shot in five weeks instead of six. [6]

In March 1968, Boone announced Pioneer Productions would make The Guns of Mauna Kea, a second film in Hawaii. [7]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Kona Coast". The Trap of Solid Gold Celebrating the works of John D MacDonald. February 12, 2018.
  2. ↑ KONA COAST, Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 38, Iss. 444, (Jan 1, 1971): 99.
  3. ↑ Richard Boone: a Different Time, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 1967: d26.
  4. ↑ Busy Year for Vera Miles, Martin, Betty. Los Angeles Times 4 July 1967: e10.
  5. ↑ RUGGED ROLE: Cimarron Strip for Boone, Gaver, Jack. Los Angeles Times 27 Oct 1967: c22.
  6. ↑ If Mohammed won't go to the movie studio...then rent a Cinemobile and bring it to him. This studio on wheels can be almost anywhere within 24 hours. And it may make its designer a millionaire., Norma Lee Browning. Chicago Tribune 5 Oct 1969: j64.
  7. ↑ MOVIE CALL SHEET: Walker Joins 'Renegades', Martin, Betty. Los Angeles Times 16 Mar 1968: b9.
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