IMDb RATING
6.7/10
1.5K
YOUR RATING
In 1894, Brant Royle shocks the aristocratic tobacco growers of Kingsmont by planning to mass-produce cigarettes.In 1894, Brant Royle shocks the aristocratic tobacco growers of Kingsmont by planning to mass-produce cigarettes.In 1894, Brant Royle shocks the aristocratic tobacco growers of Kingsmont by planning to mass-produce cigarettes.
- Awards
- 1 win
James Adamson
- Black Peddler
- (uncredited)
John Alvin
- Poker Player
- (uncredited)
Shelby Bacon
- Fauntleroy
- (uncredited)
Walter Bacon
- Man at Tobacco Auction
- (uncredited)
Frank Baker
- Man in Hotel Bar
- (uncredited)
Marshall Bradford
- Farmer
- (uncredited)
Marietta Canty
- Queenie - Sonia's Maid
- (uncredited)
Chick Chandler
- Tobacco Auctioneer
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaTo add accuracy to the film, an authentic turn-of-the-century cigarette maker was purchased as a prop.
- GoofsWhen Brant is lying at the bottom of the stairs as the fire begins in Singleton house, the servant runs to him. In a brief shot, we see Brant raising his arm as if he is coming to and beginning to get up, but in the next shot, as the servant reaches him, he is still lying flat as if still knocked out.
- Quotes
Blacksmith: Say, don't I know you from some place?
Brant Royle: I've never been there.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Last Cigarette (1999)
- SoundtracksOh, Dem Golden Slippers
(uncredited)
Written by James Alan Bland
Played during the Doctor Monaco's Remedy scenes
Featured review
Okay historical melodrama about the tobacco industry.
Gary Cooper plays Brant Royle, a guy from the wrong side of the tracks who sets out to conquer the cigarette market at the turn of the century, whatever the cost. He's pitted against the Southern Aristocracy who've owned the market for generations. His only ally is Lauren Bacall, as the town "bad girl", but that doesn't stop him from pursuing the daughter of his worst enemy: Patricia Neal as the cool embodiment of aristocracy.
It's fairly heavy going through most of the film. There is some technical stuff about the tobacco business, but mostly it's about Royle's emotional conflicts: Love vs. social climbing; his conscience vs his business sense; what to do when achieving your dreams isn't enough; loyalty vs expedience; etc. It's all rather slow and humorless, not at all gripping.
Cooper is a good enough actor to keep you watching through all this even though his character is basically unlikeable, but Patricia Neal is the best reason to watch the film. The best moments of the film, the only ones that make it worth watching, are when she drops the icy mask of aristocratic poise and reveals her true character and motivations. That part it genuinely gripping. Bacall is likeable, but doesn't make an equal impact, and doesn't really seem to belong there. Perhaps it's because she looks terrible in the period wardrobe (19th century clothes were not designed for tall, skinny women).
It's also historically interesting to see a movie about the tobacco industry made before they found out about nicotine causing cancer. Nobody seems to think cigarettes are anything but a harmless indulgence and a cash cow.
It's fairly heavy going through most of the film. There is some technical stuff about the tobacco business, but mostly it's about Royle's emotional conflicts: Love vs. social climbing; his conscience vs his business sense; what to do when achieving your dreams isn't enough; loyalty vs expedience; etc. It's all rather slow and humorless, not at all gripping.
Cooper is a good enough actor to keep you watching through all this even though his character is basically unlikeable, but Patricia Neal is the best reason to watch the film. The best moments of the film, the only ones that make it worth watching, are when she drops the icy mask of aristocratic poise and reveals her true character and motivations. That part it genuinely gripping. Bacall is likeable, but doesn't make an equal impact, and doesn't really seem to belong there. Perhaps it's because she looks terrible in the period wardrobe (19th century clothes were not designed for tall, skinny women).
It's also historically interesting to see a movie about the tobacco industry made before they found out about nicotine causing cancer. Nobody seems to think cigarettes are anything but a harmless indulgence and a cash cow.
helpful•186
- otter
- Mar 7, 1999
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Zlatan list duvana
- Filming locations
- North Carolina, USA(location shooting)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $1,944,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 50 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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