BEING THE LAST theatrically released film that was done starring Mr. Robert Stack prior to his appearing as Prohibition Agent, Elliot Ness, its stature and viewer-ship doubtless was enhanced with the name of Stack being now a household word. As we recall, the series was already on ABC when JOHN PAUL JONES(Samuel Bronston Prod./Suevia Films/Warner Bros., 1959)hit the shows.*
AS AN HISTORICAL Biopic, it was somewhat more lively than many others; which often opted for a more Docudrama approach. Early scene of a young John Paul pitching some cackle fruit (that's eggs, Schultz) at some Redcoats. This happened in young Jones' native Scotland. This was most likely a mood setter and a dramatic tool.
OTHERWISE THE MOVIE moves along tracing the life of who has been called "the Father of the United States Navy" as it progresses from humble beginnings to his famous quote of "I have not yet begun to fight!"
BY STORY'S END we see Admiral Jones auditioning for Russia's Czarina Catherine the Great; being played in a sort of Cameo Role by the Actress of Actresses, Betty Davis.
SEEING THIS WAS a big deal for us when we were in Junior High. It was a story that had to be told and could well be told again. The Historical biopic may not be the best source of learning about one's nation; but it is at least a step in the right direction; especially today, when the teaching of History and its companion piece, Geography, seems to have become a thing of the past.
NOTE * The Untouchables premiered as a two part story on the hour long DESILU PLAYHOUSE on CBS the year before its emergence as a weekly series on ABC. The initial story concerned the bagging of Capone and his subsequent trip to the Federal Pen.
AS AN HISTORICAL Biopic, it was somewhat more lively than many others; which often opted for a more Docudrama approach. Early scene of a young John Paul pitching some cackle fruit (that's eggs, Schultz) at some Redcoats. This happened in young Jones' native Scotland. This was most likely a mood setter and a dramatic tool.
OTHERWISE THE MOVIE moves along tracing the life of who has been called "the Father of the United States Navy" as it progresses from humble beginnings to his famous quote of "I have not yet begun to fight!"
BY STORY'S END we see Admiral Jones auditioning for Russia's Czarina Catherine the Great; being played in a sort of Cameo Role by the Actress of Actresses, Betty Davis.
SEEING THIS WAS a big deal for us when we were in Junior High. It was a story that had to be told and could well be told again. The Historical biopic may not be the best source of learning about one's nation; but it is at least a step in the right direction; especially today, when the teaching of History and its companion piece, Geography, seems to have become a thing of the past.
NOTE * The Untouchables premiered as a two part story on the hour long DESILU PLAYHOUSE on CBS the year before its emergence as a weekly series on ABC. The initial story concerned the bagging of Capone and his subsequent trip to the Federal Pen.