Suez (Film)

Suez is an American historical film from 1938, which depicts a glorified version of the dramatic events surrounding the construction of the Suez Canal. Tyrone Power plays Ferdinand de Lesseps, the the script a romantic connection with the Princess Eugénie de Montijo, the future wife of Emperor Napoleon III. ascribes. It was the last of five joint appearances of power and Young.

Action

Paris 1850. The young Louis Napoleon marriage is predicted with the beautiful Countess Eugenie de Montijo. At the same time foretold that Ferdinand de Lesseps, the young, very attractive admirer of the Countess, will dig in the dirt. Louis Napoleon takes the prophecy at face value and makes Eugénie to marry him. Ferdinand is elegantly out of the way, by being seconded to Egypt. Just arrived in Cairo, the tomboyish Lieutenant daughter Toni in love with the handsome Ferdinand. During a sandstorm Ferdinand has to build the vision of a canal through the Isthmus of Suez. Louis Napoleon, who is now as Napoleon III. rules over France, is taken with the idea, which seems likely to increase the glory of the country and at the same time harming the English. Several political and various romantic entanglements, the Suez Canal was built. Ferdinand de Lesseps is left alone after Toni died heroically to save his life.

Background

The great success of In Old Chicago brought studio chief Darryl F. Zanuck to make another film about a dramatic love story set against a historical backdrop. Mid-1937, plans for the film adaptation of the adventures around the construction of the Suzekanals. Tyrone Power, who had now become the largest male star of the studio, took over the role of Ferdinand de Lesseps, who was made ​​younger and much better looking several decades for the film. To bring by the marketing strategists consider necessary for success at the box office romance in the expensive undertaking, they gave power for the fifth time Loretta Young on the page. Third parties in the struggle for true love has been incorporated into the action with Annabella, a new discovery from Europe, from the studio hoped for more than Simone Simon, which was originally supposed to play the role of Toni. The budget for the film came at the end to just two million U.S. dollars, of which only $ 250,000 was spent on the construction of scenes.

Loretta Young was in at the time of the shooting in the middle of a heated argument with the management of the studio to better roles, and higher salaries. Zanuck forced the actress at the end to take the subordinate role of the Empress Eugénie. To remain on the screen to Young left of the costume designer Gwen Wakeling create a spectacular wardrobe. The hoop skirts and crinolines that carries Young during their scenes do not conform to the originals, but are again significantly lush and broader. Are completed the costumes of intricately embroidered coats, veils, fur stoles and jewels. Gwen Wakeling told later that Loretta Young with wearing the extremely opulent models never had any problems, either because they went under the robes barefoot or in comfortable slippers to gain as better posture. Shortly after completion of the shooting were married Tyrone Power and Annabella.

Awards

At the Academy Awards in 1939, the film received nominations in the categories:

  • Best Camera
  • Best Sound
  • Best Original Soundtrack
1938 in film Allan Dwan Screenplay 20th Century Fox Film score Louis Silvers Peverell Marley Barbara McLean Annabella (actress) Eugénie de Montijo 11th Academy Awards
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