Rogues' Regiment

{{Short description|1948 film by Robert Florey}}

{{Infobox film

| name = Rogues' Regiment

| image = Rogregpos.jpg

| caption = Original film poster

| director = Robert Florey

| writer = Robert Buckner

| based_on = original story by Robert Buckner
Robert Florey

| producer = Robert Buckner

| starring = Dick Powell
Märta Torén
Vincent Price

| cinematography = Maury Gertsman

| editing = Ralph Dawson

| music = Daniele Amfitheatrof

| studio = Robert Buckner Productions

| distributor = Universal Pictures

| released = {{film date|1948|09|28|United States}}

| runtime = 86 minutes

| country = United States

| language = English

|gross = $1.8 million{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/variety177-1950-01#page/n58/mode/1up|title=Top Grossers of 1949|magazine=Variety|date=4 January 1950|page=59}}

}}

Rogues' Regiment is a 1948 film noir action film directed by Robert Florey and starring Dick Powell, Märta Torén, and Vincent Price. It is the first American feature film to be set in the First Indochina War.

Plot

An American Intelligence Agent and Nazi hunter is on the trail of a former SS war criminal reminiscent of Martin Bormann{{Cite news|url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9902EFD7163FE03ABC4851DFB4678383659EDE|title = THE SCREEN IN REVIEW; ' Rogues' Regiment,' with Dick Powell Hunting Nazi Official, Opens at Loew's Criterion|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 20 December 1948}} believed to be hiding in the French Foreign Legion in French Indochina. He joins forces with a French Intelligence agent investigating supplies of weapons to the Việt Minh from the Eastern Bloc.

Cast

Production

Max Ophüls was hoping to direct the film but was passed over in favour of Robert Florey.p.200 Bacher, Lutz ''Max Ophuls in the Hollywood Studios 1996 Rutgers University Press

The film was first announced in November 1947 with writer-producer Robert Buckner saying he was inspired by stories of former Nazis enlisting in the French Foreign Legion. In particular he researched the disappearance of Martin Bormann.{{Cite news|title=Bormann, Hitler's Missing Deputy, Alive in Hiding, Author Believes|date=Oct 4, 1948|work=Los Angeles Times|page=A8}}

Edmond O'Brien was originally announced as star. It was made shortly after the production of another film about the French Foreign Legion, Outpost in Morocco. Burt Lancaster was sought for a supporting part.{{Cite news|title=U-I TO DO NEW FILM ON FOREIGN LEGION: Edmund O'Brien Set for Role in 'Rogues Regiment,' Movie on Unit in Indo-China|author=THOMAS F. BRADY|date=Nov 15, 1947|work=New York Times|page=11}}

In March 1948 it was announced Universal signed Dick Powell to play the lead.{{Cite news|title=FILM CONTROVERSY IS TAKEN TO COURT: Feldman Sues for $1,000,000 in Row Over Movie Rights to Gerald Butler's Novel|author=THOMAS F. BRADY|date=Mar 3, 1948|work=New York Times|page=28}} Edmond O'Brien dropped out of the film to make a movie with Deanna Durbin.{{Cite news|title=WARNER FILM LEAD TO VIVECA LINDFORS: Actress Will Star in 'Be Nice to Emily,' Comedy by Taylor -- Gottleib is Producer|author=THOMAS F. BRADY|date=Mar 4, 1948|work=New York Times|page=30}}

It was meant to be the 60th film directed by Robert Florey at Universal.{{Cite news|title=FLOREY GUIDES 60 FILMS AT U|date=Nov 26, 1948|work=Los Angeles Times|page=21}}

Release

The Los Angeles Times said the film had an "arresting premise" which "went the way of just another cops and robbers chase".{{Cite news|title=Powell Pursues Ex-Nazi Into 'Rogues' Regiment'|author=SCHEUER, PHILILP K.|date=Nov 18, 1948|work=Los Angeles Times|page=B8}}

The New York Times wrote that "if this man-hunt for a vicious, top-flight Nazi in the environs of Saigon bears more than a passing resemblance to a dozen other film chases of recent vintage, mark it down as topical, at least. If credibility is by-passed more than once, it is all done briskly and with good will."[https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9902EFD7163FE03ABC4851DFB4678383659EDE Review of film] at New York Times

Adaptation

In 1951 Dick Powell reprised his role in a radio adaptation of the film on Screen Directors Playhouse.

References

{{Reflist}}