Bright Leaf (1950)

Director:

Michael Curtiz

Writers:

Foster Fitzsimmons (novel)
Ranald MacDougall (screenplay)

Release Date:

2 July 1950 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

In 1894, Brant Royle shocks the aristocratic tobacco growers of Kingsmont by planning to mass-produce cigarettes.

Plot Keywords:

Cigarette | Tobacco | Suicide | Beautiful Woman | Sheriff

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Gary Cooper	...	Brant Royle
Lauren Bacall	...	Sonia Kovac
Patricia Neal	...	Margaret Jane Singleton
Jack Carson	...	Chris Malley (Dr. Monaco)
Donald Crisp	...	Major Singleton
Gladys George	...	Rose
Elizabeth Patterson	...	Tabitha Singleton
Jeff Corey	...	John Barton
Taylor Holmes	...	Lawyer Calhoun
Thurston Hall	...	Phillips

Runtime:

110 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

Australia:PG | Finland:S | Sweden:15 | USA:Approved (PCA #14345)

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Quotes:

Major Singleton: I'm afraid I don't believe in cigarettes, much less a machine for makin' them. It turns my stomach, sir, every time I have occasion to witness someone pokin' one of those vile concoctions into their face. I deal in cigars, sir. Nothing less.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Bright Leaves (2003)

Coop and the tobacco industry

This 1950 film starred Gary Cooper, Lauren Bacall and Patricia Neal in the leading roles and brought drama within the tobacco industry, although in the 50s it was okay to smoke. Doubt this film could make it this day and age.

Interesting to see real-life lovers Cooper and Neal tear up the scenery with their love scenes. Cooper seemed a bit on the reserved side even though he was out for revenge. But, that's Coop. He's a master of do nothing on the screen and manages to hold his own. Spencer Tracy is another one of those dynamic actors. Here he plots to take over the tobacco industry from a man (splendidly played by that veteran character actor of distinction, Donald Crisp) who in the past had run him out of town for kissing his daughter (yes, just kissing) played by the lovely Patricia Neal.

In the meantime Coop courts long time girl friend, Lauren Bacall, somewhat miscast in this, for money to start up a cigarette making factory invented by Jeff Corey, another great actor. Lauren doesn't look her best in this. How can we forget all those marvelous Bogart/Bacall films with her slinky hair and sultry body. In this her hair is up and curled and her gowns of the period don't look good on her. Bring Baby back. She doesn't have the chemistry with Cooper as she did with Bogart. And obviously the chemistry was flying with Neal and Cooper instead.

Also in the cast are Jack Carson, in a small and not so well written role that wasted this fine actor. Gladys George (remember her in MADAME X) was also wasted in a thankless role.

However, it's fine drama of the time and good to see the stars playing out their roles.

I prefer to remember Coop in such films as SERGEANT YORK, FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS, SARATOGA TRUNK, FOUNTAINHEAD, HIGH NOON and ALONG CAME JONES.