The Pink Jungle

Last updated
The Pink Jungle
Poster of The Pink Jungle.jpg
Directed by Delbert Mann
Screenplay by Charles Williams
Based onadapting the 1965 novel Snake Water by Alan Williams
Produced byStan Margulies
Starring James Garner
Eva Renzi
George Kennedy
Nigel Green
Cinematography Russell Metty
Edited by William B. Murphy
Music by Ernie Freeman
Production
company
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Release date
  • October 16, 1968 (1968-10-16)(United States)
Running time
104 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The Pink Jungle is a 1968 American adventure comedy film directed by Delbert Mann starring James Garner, Eva Renzi, George Kennedy and Nigel Green. [1] [2]

Contents

"I made this thing for the money and I'm lucky it didn't wreck my career," Garner wrote in his memoir. [3]

Plot

An American fashion photographer, Ben Morris (James Garner), goes to Guadagil, a remote village in South America, to take pictures of model Alison Duquesne (Eva Renzi) for a lipstick ad. One of the lipsticks is called "Pink Jungle".

She arrives soon after Ben does, escorted by Raul Ortega (Michael Ansara) from the tourist board. Within minutes of being landed the helicopter in which they arrived is stolen, leaving Ben and Alison stranded in the village.

Ben is hassled by Colonel Celaya (Fabrizio Mioni), a security officer anxious to get a promotion to the capital, who is convinced Ben must be a spy for the American government. But a search of Ben's baggage finds only camera equipment and lipstick. Ben and Alison go to the town bar, where they are joined by Ortega. Meanwhile, two thugs assault and kill the helicopter pilot, wanting information on how it had come to be stolen. The thugs are joined by Ortega, who is revealed to be their leader.

To relieve their boredom Ben and Alison rent a car to drive to the nearest town. On their way the car is stopped at gunpoint by the same man who stole the helicopter. He forces them to take him with them. The hijacker is a boisterous South African adventurer, Sammy Ryderbeit (George Kennedy). He tells them he and his partner have a map to a fabulous diamond mine, but they need $2,000 to equip an expedition to get there.

In a bar in town Ben and Alison meet with Sammy’s partner, an English ex-army man Captain Stopes. Also in the bar are Ortega and his men. Ben and Alison believe the entire tale of the diamond mine is a swindle. However, when Stopes is murdered in his hotel room, with Ben and Alison and Sammy suspected and pursued by the police, Ben is compelled to finance the diamond mine expedition as a way for him and Alison to sneak out of town. They are watched doing so by Ortega and his men.

Along the trail Ben, Alison and Sammy encounter McCune (Nigel Green), a devious Australian who claims to be Stopes's former partner and says he has the only actual map to the mine. He surreptitiously substitutes Sammy’s map for his own, which he pretends is the one he has always had. McCune demands to take over the leadership of the expedition, in return he will give the others a small share in the mine. Although they distrust him, the three reluctantly agree. While resting up for the next day all the men posture about, demonstrating excellent marksmanship with pistols.

Almost immediately after they resume their search the men start fighting with each other. That night McCune demands that the men allow him to bed Alison. Sammy says nothing, but Ben will not allow it and he and McCune fight. Ben and Alison have a private conversation in which they admit to having fallen in love with each other. Later that night McCune sneaks out of camp to leave a message, along with the map he tricked out of Sammy, along the trail.

During the next day the expedition pauses to rest out the sun’s hottest hours. While the others are asleep McCune takes off with the supplies and mules, leaving them to die of thirst. But he is pursued by them, and when he takes a wrong turn it allows them to catch up with him. He hears them coming and takes up a position to shoot Ben, but just as he is about to fire he is shot dead by Sammy.

They search McCune’s body for the map, and not finding it realize he must have left it for others. Just then a helicopter is heard and seen flying overhead. The three proceed to where the helicopter had landed, and see Ortega sitting in front of a tent counting diamonds. The helicopter arrives again, bringing in more diamonds, but this time the men flying in have seen the three. The members of the helicopter party spread out to attack them, but in the shootout that follows the three prevail and Ortega is captured.

Sammy flies Ben and Alison (and Ortega, their prisoner) back to Guadagil, saying he knows someone there who will buy the diamonds and pay in American dollars. But as soon as the others exit the helicopter he takes off, with all the diamonds. Ortega turns out to be an underground leader long wanted by local law officials. They are so pleased in at last having him in custody that they don’t care about anything Ben and Sammy may have done.

Ben and Alison are desperate to leave. Ben talks to the jubilant Colonel Celaya, who has taken the credit for having captured Ortega, hoping the officer will arrange to have them flown out. The colonel will not help with that, but does say he is sorry for having initially mistaken such a bungler as Ben for a CIA agent.

Ben walks to a private spot, converts his camera into a two-way radio, and sends a message to his contact person. Ben is not just a photographer, he is a U.S. government agent sent to quell a revolution led by Ortega. Because of Sammy's assistance in accomplishing the mission, Ben tells his contact to allow Sammy to get away.

Cast

Production

The film was based on the novel Snake Water published in 1965. It was the second novel from Allan Williams. Reviewing it the New York Times said Williams "is a highly endowed practicioner in the art of make believe." [4]

In January 1966 Universal bought the film rights and head of production Edward Muhl assigned Harry Keller to produce. [5]

In June 1967 Universal announced James Garner would star in the film, which was now produced by Stan Marguilies. [6] Delbert Mann was assigned to direct the film, then known as The Jolly Pink Jungle. [7]

Filming began 17 July 1967. The film was shot near Pyramid Lake, close to Reno. [8]

Reception

The Los Angeles Times called it an "uninspired comedy." [9]

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Reservoir Dogs</i> 1992 American crime film by Quentin Tarantino

Reservoir Dogs is a 1992 American neo-noir crime film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino in his feature-length debut. It stars Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Chris Penn, Steve Buscemi, Lawrence Tierney, Michael Madsen, Tarantino, and Edward Bunker as diamond thieves whose heist of a jewelry store goes terribly wrong. Kirk Baltz, Randy Brooks, and Steven Wright also play supporting roles. It incorporates many motifs that have become Tarantino's hallmarks: violent crime, pop culture references, profanity, and nonlinear storytelling.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vic Morrow</span> American actor (1929–1982)

Victor Morrow was an American actor. He came to prominence as one of the leads of the ABC drama series Combat! (1962–1967), which earned him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Series. Active on screen for over three decades, his film roles include Blackboard Jungle (1955), King Creole (1958), God's Little Acre (1958), Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry (1974), and The Bad News Bears (1976). Morrow continued acting up to his death during filming of Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983) when he and two child actors were killed in a helicopter crash during filming.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason Scott Lee</span> American actor and martial artist

Jason Scott Lee is an American actor and martial artist. He played Mowgli in Disney's 1994 live-action adaptation of The Jungle Book and Bruce Lee in the 1993 martial arts film Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story. He is not related to Bruce Lee.

<i>Congo</i> (film) 1995 film by Frank Marshall

Congo is a 1995 American science fiction action-adventure film based on the 1980 novel by Michael Crichton. It was directed by Frank Marshall and stars Laura Linney, Dylan Walsh, Ernie Hudson, Grant Heslov, Joe Don Baker and Tim Curry. The film was released on June 9, 1995, by Paramount Pictures. It received negative reviews, but performed better than expected at the box office.

<i>Bedazzled</i> (2000 film) 2000 film by Harold Ramis

Bedazzled is a 2000 fantasy romantic comedy film directed by Harold Ramis and starring Brendan Fraser and Elizabeth Hurley. It is a remake of the 1967 British film of the same name, written by Peter Cook and Dudley Moore, which was itself a comic retelling of the Faust legend.

<i>Serpent of the Nile</i> 1953 film by William Castle

Serpent of the Nile is a 1953 Technicolor historical adventure film produced by Sam Katzman and directed by William Castle. The film starred Rhonda Fleming, Raymond Burr, William Lundigan and Michael Ansara. In an early role, actress Julie Newmar appears as an exotic dancer clad only in gold paint. It also stars William Lundigan as Lucilius and Michael Fox as Octavius.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Ansara</span> American actor (1922–2013)

Michael George Ansara was an American actor. He portrayed Cochise in the television series Broken Arrow, Kane in the 1979–1981 series Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Commander Kang in Star Trek: The Original Series, Deputy U.S. Marshal Sam Buckhart in the NBC series Law of the Plainsman, and provided the voice for Mr. Freeze in the DC Animated Universe. Ansara received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his work in the television industry, located at 6666 Hollywood Boulevard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eva Renzi</span> German actress

Eva Renzi was a German actress.

<i>Atlantis, the Lost Continent</i> 1961 film

Atlantis, the Lost Continent is a 1961 American science fiction film in Metrocolor produced and directed by George Pal and starring Sal Ponti, Joyce Taylor, and John Dall. The film was distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

<i>Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla</i> 1952 film by William Beaudine

Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla is a 1952 American comedy horror science fiction film directed by William Beaudine and starring horror veteran Bela Lugosi with nightclub performers Duke Mitchell and Sammy Petrillo in roles approximating the then-popular duo of Martin and Lewis.

<i>Tarzans Greatest Adventure</i> 1959 film by John Guillermin

Tarzan's Greatest Adventure is a 1959 Eastmancolor adventure film directed by John Guillermin, produced by Sy Weintraub and Harvey Hayutin, and written by Les Crutchfield, based on the character created by Edgar Rice Burroughs. With a strong supporting cast that included Anthony Quayle and Sean Connery, and a focus on action and suspense, the film won critical praise as a Tarzan film that appealed to adults as well as children.

<i>The Lost World</i> (1960 film) 1960 film by Irwin Allen

The Lost World is a 1960 De Luxe Color and CinemaScope fantasy adventure film directed by Irwin Allen and loosely based on the 1912 novel of the same name by Arthur Conan Doyle. The plot of the film revolves around the exploration of a plateau in Venezuela inhabited by cannibals, dinosaurs, carnivorous plants, and giant spiders. The cast includes Claude Rains, David Hedison, Fernando Lamas, Jill St. John, and Michael Rennie.

<i>King Solomons Mines</i> (1985 film) 1985 film by J. Lee Thompson

King Solomon's Mines is a 1985 action adventure film, and a film adaptation of the 1885 novel of the same name by H. Rider Haggard. It stars Richard Chamberlain, Sharon Stone, Herbert Lom and John Rhys-Davies. It was produced by Cannon Films. It was adapted by Gene Quintano and James R. Silke and directed by J. Lee Thompson. This version of the story was a light, comedic take, deliberately referring to, and parodying, the Indiana Jones film series. It was filmed outside Harare in Zimbabwe. The film was made and released exactly 100 years after the release of the novel on which the film is based.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Catherine McLeod</span> American actress

Catherine McLeod was an American actress who made over 60 television and movie appearances between 1944 and 1976. She memorably portrayed the one woman whom James Garner's character Bret Maverick wanted to marry on the 1957 ABC/Warner Brothers television series Maverick, in the episode "Rage for Vengeance."

<i>Jungle Jim</i> (film) 1948 film by William A. Berke

Jungle Jim is a 1948 American adventure film directed by William Berke and starring Johnny Weissmuller. It is based on Alex Raymond's Jungle Jim comic strip and was distributed by Columbia Pictures. It is the first picture in the Jungle Jim series that consists of 16 films originally released between 1948 and 1955.

<i>Rude Awakening</i> (film) 1989 American film

Rude Awakening is a 1989 comedy film directed by David Greenwalt and Aaron Russo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alfred W. McCune</span> American railroad builder, mine operator, and politician from the state of Utah

Alfred William McCune was an American railroad builder, mine operator, and politician from the state of Utah. Owner of several retail and construction businesses, he helped build the Montana Central Railway and a portion of the Utah Southern Railroad, founded the Utah and Pacific Railroad, and built railways in Peru, among other projects. He also owned many profitable mines in Canada, Montana, Peru, and Utah, including the Payne Mine—which paid the most dividends in the history of British Columbia. Late in life, he co-founded the Cerro de Pasco Investment Company, which became the largest copper investor in South America and the largest American investor in Peru until it was nationalized in 1974. He was one of Utah's first millionaires.

<i>Mara Maru</i> 1952 film by Gordon Douglas

Mara Maru is a 1952 American noir action film directed by Gordon Douglas and starring Errol Flynn, Ruth Roman and Raymond Burr.

Fabrizio Mioni was an Italian actor. He appeared in the films Roland the Mighty, Hercules, The Blue Angel, Get Yourself a College Girl, Girl Happy, The Venetian Affair, The Secret War of Harry Frigg and The Pink Jungle. He appeared in the television series Goodyear Theatre, The Lineup, Bronco, Bourbon Street Beat, Alcoa Presents: One Step Beyond, Markham, General Electric Theater, Death Valley Days, 77 Sunset Strip, The Lloyd Bridges Show, Breaking Point, Dr. Kildare, Bonanza, Perry Mason, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., The Virginian, The Long, Hot Summer, Occasional Wife, I Spy, The Girl from U.N.C.L.E., The Big Valley, Garrison's Gorillas, The Rat Patrol, The High Chaparral, To Rome with Love and Love, American Style.

<i>Yes Day</i> 2021 comedy-drama film

Yes Day is a 2021 American family comedy film directed by Miguel Arteta, from a screenplay and screen story by Justin Malen, based upon the children's book of the same name by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld. It stars Jennifer Garner, Édgar Ramírez, and Jenna Ortega.

References

  1. ↑ "The Pink Jungle". Turner Classic Movies . Retrieved February 29, 2016.
  2. ↑ PINK JUNGLE, The Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 35, Iss. 408, (Jan 1, 1968): 104.
  3. ↑ Garner, James; Winokur, Jon (2011). The Garner Files: A Memoir. Simon & Schuster. p. 257.
  4. ↑ Reader's Report By MARTIN LEVIN. New York Times 12 Dec 1965: BR40.
  5. ↑ Duo Slated for 5 Pictures Martin, Betty. Los Angeles Times 21 Jan 1966: c6.
  6. ↑ Garner in 'Jolly Pink Jungle' Martin, Betty. Los Angeles Times 9 June 1967: d21.
  7. ↑ Joanna Moore to Sign Pact Martin, Betty. Los Angeles Times 12 June 1967: d24.
  8. ↑ Showdown With One-Armed Bandit: JAMES GARNER'S SHOWDOWN WITH A ONE-ARMED BANDIT Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times 10 Sep 1967: c1.
  9. ↑ 'The Pink Jungle' Playing Citywide Thomas, Kevin. Los Angeles Times 23 Aug 1968: f15.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.