Brushfire! (1962)
80 mins | Adventure | 21 February 1962
Cast:
John Ireland, Everett Sloane, Jo Morrow [ More ]Director:
Jack Warner Jr.Writers:
Irwin R. Blacker, Jack Warner Jr.Producer:
Jack Warner Jr.Cinematographer:
Ed FitzgeraldEditor:
Roy LivingstonProduction Designer:
Ted HolsoppleProduction Company:
Obelisk, Inc.The 30 Jun 1961 NYT announced that producer-director Jack M. Warner, known as Jack Warner, Jr., was planning his first independent feature film, to be shot at Republic Studios in Studio City, CA, over a period of ten days. Warner, the estranged son of Warner Bros. Studios president Jack L. Warner, raised the $150,000 budget from his own funds and contributions from friends. He admitted to starting production without a distributor, and hoped to find one after filming was completed. The 21 Jun 1961 DV identified Sentinel Hills in Humboldt County, NV, as "the location site for guerilla warfare action." Principal photography began that day, according to the 23 Jun 1961 issue. The 27 Jun 1961 DV noted that actor Ray Heindeck was added to the cast.
Following the end of production, the 14 Aug 1961 DV reported that composer Irving Gertz would begin recording his score eight days later. Warner, meanwhile, was on his way to New York City in search of a distributor. On 25 Aug 1961, DV stated that a distribution deal would be finalized within the next ten days. The title was temporarily changed to Brushfire War, according to the 11 Oct 1961 edition. On 15 Nov 1961, Var revealed that Warner made an outright sale of the film to Paramount Pictures.
Brushfire! opened 21 Feb 1962 in New York City, and on 18 Apr 1962 in Los Angeles, CA. Despite scathing reviews, the picture earned a profit, due to its double billing with Blue ...
The 30 Jun 1961 NYT announced that producer-director Jack M. Warner, known as Jack Warner, Jr., was planning his first independent feature film, to be shot at Republic Studios in Studio City, CA, over a period of ten days. Warner, the estranged son of Warner Bros. Studios president Jack L. Warner, raised the $150,000 budget from his own funds and contributions from friends. He admitted to starting production without a distributor, and hoped to find one after filming was completed. The 21 Jun 1961 DV identified Sentinel Hills in Humboldt County, NV, as "the location site for guerilla warfare action." Principal photography began that day, according to the 23 Jun 1961 issue. The 27 Jun 1961 DV noted that actor Ray Heindeck was added to the cast.
Following the end of production, the 14 Aug 1961 DV reported that composer Irving Gertz would begin recording his score eight days later. Warner, meanwhile, was on his way to New York City in search of a distributor. On 25 Aug 1961, DV stated that a distribution deal would be finalized within the next ten days. The title was temporarily changed to Brushfire War, according to the 11 Oct 1961 edition. On 15 Nov 1961, Var revealed that Warner made an outright sale of the film to Paramount Pictures.
Brushfire! opened 21 Feb 1962 in New York City, and on 18 Apr 1962 in Los Angeles, CA. Despite scathing reviews, the picture earned a profit, due to its double billing with Blue Hawaii (1961, see entry) in New York City, and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962, see entry) in Los Angeles.
In Southeast Asia, guerrilla rebels kidnap an American couple, Easter and Tony Banford, and hold them for a ransom of guns and ammunition. Realizing that the rebels must be stopped, Chevern McCase, a former World War II guerrilla fighter, joins his friend Jeff Saygure in organizing a rescue party. While they are leading a team of plantation workers to the rebel headquarters, Easter is brutally raped by Martin, the guerrilla leader, as Tony watches helplessly. Eventually Chevern and his men reach the guerrilla headquarters, destroy their radio communications, and rescue the young couple. As they make their getaway by sampan, Martin and the rebels attack. Tony hastily misfires when he sees Martin about to shoot Jeff and is himself killed by a blast from the enemy leader's gun. Jeff counters by hurling a hand grenade at Martin and killing him. Seeing their leader fall, the guerrillas flee in disorganized retreat. Jeff then consoles Easter and explains that the rescue effort was worth the cost because it kept the uprising from developing into a fullscale ...
In Southeast Asia, guerrilla rebels kidnap an American couple, Easter and Tony Banford, and hold them for a ransom of guns and ammunition. Realizing that the rebels must be stopped, Chevern McCase, a former World War II guerrilla fighter, joins his friend Jeff Saygure in organizing a rescue party. While they are leading a team of plantation workers to the rebel headquarters, Easter is brutally raped by Martin, the guerrilla leader, as Tony watches helplessly. Eventually Chevern and his men reach the guerrilla headquarters, destroy their radio communications, and rescue the young couple. As they make their getaway by sampan, Martin and the rebels attack. Tony hastily misfires when he sees Martin about to shoot Jeff and is himself killed by a blast from the enemy leader's gun. Jeff counters by hurling a hand grenade at Martin and killing him. Seeing their leader fall, the guerrillas flee in disorganized retreat. Jeff then consoles Easter and explains that the rescue effort was worth the cost because it kept the uprising from developing into a fullscale revolt.
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