Hell Below Zero

Hell Below Zero
Directed by Mark Robson
Produced by Irving Allen
Albert R. Broccoli
Written by Richard Maibaum
Screenplay by Alec Coppel
Max Trell
Based on The White South
1949 novel 
by Hammond Innes
Starring Alan Ladd
Stanley Baker
Music by Clifton Parker
Cinematography John Wilcox
Edited by John D. Guthridge
Distributed by Columbia Pictures
Release dates
 1954
Running time
 90 minutes
Country United Kingdom
Language English
Budget $1 million (approx)[1]

Hell Below Zero (1954) is a murder mystery Technicolor film, starring Alan Ladd in the second of his films for Warwick Films.

The film was directed by Mark Robson, and was written by Alec Coppel and Max Trell. The film was based on the novel The White South by Hammond Innes, and presents interesting footage of whaling fleets in action.[2]

Plot

The plot revolves around the death of Captain Nordahl, on a factory ship in Antarctic waters, lost overboard in mysterious circumstances. Captain Nordahl is an associate in a Norwegian whaling company, Bland-Nordahl.

Duncan Craig (Alan Ladd), an American meets Judie Nordahl (Joan Tetzel), the captain's daughter on his way to South Africa where he gets even with a business partner who cheated him. With little money left and a desire to see Judie again, Craig signs on to be a mate on the ship taking Judie to Antarctica.

On arrival in Antarctic waters, Craig finds suspicious evidence that seems to implicate skipper Erik Bland (Stanley Baker), the new captain of the factory ship, in a conspiracy. Another murder follows and the film concludes with a dramatic showdown on the ice.

Cast

Production

The movie was part of a two picture deal Ladd made with Warwick Films, following The Red Beret.[3][4][5] Ladd was paid $200,000 against 10% of the profits.[1]

During production it was known as White South and White Mantle.[6]

The film included location footage shot in Antarctic waters. Albert Broccoli accompanied a second unit crew down there for over three months.[7]

Shooting took place at Pinewood Studios.[8]

Director Mark Robson wanted Eugene Pallette to play a role but Pallette was unhappy with the size of the part in the script.[9]

References

  1. 1 2 A TOWN CALLED HOLLYWOOD: Producers Want English Clear--Even in Oklahoma Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 13 June 1954: D4.
  2. ↑ IMDB entry
  3. ↑ Broccoli, Albert R. & Zec, Donald When the Snow Melts: The Autobiography of Cubby Broccoli Trans-Atlantic Publications 1999
  4. ↑ STUDIOS PLANNING 2 ALAN LADD FILMS: Warwick and Columbia to Join in Offering 'The Red Beret' and 'The White South' Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES.. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 15 July 1952: 17.
  5. ↑ LADD PLANS MOVIE OF A WHALING TRIP: Actor to Make 'White South,' About Antarctic Expedition, Abroad for Irving Allen By THOMAS M. PRYORSpecial to THE NEW YORK TIMES.. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 03 Nov 1952: 36.
  6. ↑ ROBSON TO DIRECT WHALING PICTURE: Ladd Stars in 'White Mantle,' to Be Filmed in England for Warwick Productions By THOMAS M. PRYORSpecial to THE NEW YORK TIMES.. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 03 Dec 1952: 45.
  7. ↑ Looking at Hollywood: Alan Ladd and Stanley Baker to Co-Star in Movie of Antarctic Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune (1923-1963) [Chicago, Ill] 06 Feb 1953: b4.
  8. ↑ "The Future Programme", Kinematograph Weekly, 31 May 1956 p 14
  9. ↑ Freeman Gives Light on New 3-D Process; Ryan Set for 'Inferno' Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 07 Feb 1953: 13.

External links

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