The Sand Pebbles Movie Message Board

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(Although individual responses are not usually listed here, I do answer all email I receive)

From: Rory Monteith
Sent: Sunday, August 24, 2008 3:41 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Rare Sand Pebbles screening

Hi Cris,

I've known about this for several weeks, but it's only now been put up on their website.

People living in the area of Suffern, New York will have a chance to see THE SAND PEBBLES on the big screen. The historic Lafayette Theatre there will be showing a "new print from the Fox vault; in Panavision and Dolby SR stereophonic sound" on September 6, 2008!

Here's a link to their website: http://www.bigscreenclassics.com/indexlafayette.htm

Rory

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From: Willard Carroll
Sent: Monday, August 18, 2008 8:26 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: The Sand Pebbles...

Hi, Crispin:

I greatly enjoy your site. I saw the Roadshow engagement in Baltimore when I was 11 and have lost track of how many times I've now seen the movie.

In addition to many other collections, I have a fairly extensive soundtrack and film-related LP and 45 library. I have a few more recordings of "And We Were Lovers"/"Theme From The Sand Pebbles" - not on your site - by the following artists:

VIC DANA
DENNY MCLAIN
THE BRASS RING
THE HOWARD ROBERTS QUARTET
LEE EVANS
HORST JANKOWSKI

Would you be interested in these for your audio section of the site?

All the best,
Willard Carroll

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From: Michael Conley
Sent: Friday, July 04, 2008 11:06 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: The Sand Pebbles...

Hello:

I was watching the DVD of SAND PEBBLES and decided to find out more about Richard McKenna. Various links led me to SandPebbles.com -- and I just want to tell you that I am blown away by the wealth of information on here! Thank you very much.

The accumulation of material is phenomenal. I always like looking at the artwork and posters -- and you have a link to a selection of Howard Terpning's various movie posters. I love the film's soundtrack, in particular, the "Getting Acquainted" track -- and you've got a link to two dozen artists performing the song from that music. I have a the original souvenir program book -- and you've got versions in other languages. Not to mention a collection of reviews, the Mad Magazine parody, interviews with people who were involved in the making of the film, and -- amazingly -- the WHAT'S MY LINE show with Steve McQueen.

My favorite film is DOCTOR ZHIVAGO, and I only wish there were something half as good as your site for that film. But fortunately, you've set the standard. Thank you VERY much.

Michael Conley
San Diego

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From: Manfred Kramesberger
Sent: Monday, June 09, 2008 7:40 AM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: The Sand Pebbles...

Dear Mr. Garcia !

I am asking for permission to place a link from my site www.lordjim.at to your trailer-page (Missing scenes: dinner with Shirley) to show this trailer to my visitors.

www.lordjim.at is a private, non-profit site, dedicated to the memory of great artists.

Thank you in advance and kind regards !

Manfred Kramesberger

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From: Rory Monteith
Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2008 3:24 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Early TSP Blu-ray review

Cris,

This is in today's post on FilmScoreMonthly.com. Nothing detailed, but sounds like the movie (theatrical version) looks as good as we expected:

"Making its Blu-Ray debut following a hugely successful DVD release last year is THE SAND PEBBLES (***, 183 mins., 1966, PG-13), Robert Wise's epic starring Steve McQueen (never better), Richard Attenborough, Richard Crenna and Candice Bergen in a story -- set in 1926 China -- that drew close parallels to the U.S.' then-recent involvement in Vietnam but offers numerous pleasures (McQueen's performance, its wide scope lensing and, of course, Jerry Goldsmith's score) to counteract its somewhat clunky pacing and uneven script.

Fox's Blu-Ray release of "The Sand Pebbles" is almost the definitive word on the film, offering an MPEG-2 transfer that falls somewhere between "Patton" and "The Longest Day" in terms of its HD presentation, but overall is spectacular when compared to any prior version of the movie you might've seen outside of a theater. The DTS-MA audio, meanwhile, does a fine job balancing Goldsmith's classic score with the dialogue.

When I say this release is "almost" definitive, it's because only the theatrical release edit (183 minutes) of the picture has been included here, while the prior DVD featured both that cut plus the premiere of the Roadshow presentation, offering 13 minutes of added footage that did appear faded in relation to the pristine quality of the theatrical print. Perhaps it's because of the latter that the decision was made to include only the theatrical version in HD, and offer the Roadshow scenes in the supplemental section. Either way, fans of "The Sand Pebbles" may want to hang onto their Special Edition DVD versions for that reason.

Extras, culled from that superb prior release, are on-hand in abundance. An isolated score track also includes comments from Nick Redman, Jon Burlingame, and veteran screenwriter/movie buff/historian Lem Dobbs, who rightly regard Goldsmith's score as one of his all-time finest, and intersperse Goldsmith's music with commentary on its creation (and even fragments of a 2000 interview with the great composer). An older audio commentary featuring Robert Wise, Candice Bergen, Richard Crenna and Mako is also on-hand.

Numerous featurettes comprise a detailed "Making Of" section while a slew of vintage materials (advertising reels, radio documentaries, TV spots, trailers) and additional "side bars" (a featurette remembering McQueen among those) round out a marvelous Blu-Ray disc -- a must for all "Sand Pebbles" fans."

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Response - One of the first online comparisons of the 2007 DVD and 2008 Bluray disc can be found at www.dvdbeaver.com - CG

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From: Monush, Barry
Sent: Friday, April 25, 2008 10:23 AM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Regarding Charles Robinson

I only just read today that Charles Robinson (Ensign Bordelles) had passed away almost two years ago in Palm Springs. So sorry to hear this.

I always liked his performance in The Sand Pebbles in addition to finding him a strikingly handsome man. I also remember him in films like The Interns, Splendor in the Grass, and Shenandoah. I notice that he does not seem to have many film or TV credits since the 1980s. Did he simply stop working and retire to Palm Springs? Does anyone know much about his later life? And did he actually change his billing on occasion to Charles Knox Robinson and Charles Robinson Knox as the imdb indicates? If so, does anyone know why? Just curious.

Barry M

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Response - Go to the Wikipedia website for more information on Charles Knox Robinson III - CG

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From: Rory Monteith
Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2008 2:05 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: TSP Blu-ray

Cris,

The Digital Bits has info posted on the Blu-ray DVD for TSP. Looks like everything will be carried over from the 2-disc standard release -- except the Roadshow version, but "13 deleted 'Road Show' scenes" will be included as extras. This is good news, and I think Fox doing the right thing -- as long as they can't or won't restore those scenes properly (meaning 2.35:1 Panavision transfers equal in quality to the restored general version).

Rory

Digital Bits:
First up, 20th Century Fox and MGM have set a number of classic war films for release on Blu-ray on 6/3, as part of their Father's Day promotion. They include The Longest Day, Patton, The Sand Pebbles, A Bridge Too Far and Battle of Britain (SRP $39.98). Each will include 1080p anamorphic widescreen video and DTS 5.1 HD audio. In terms of bonus material, The Longest Day will offer a historical audio commentary with Mary Corey, a film commentary with Ken Annakin, 4 featurettes (A Day to Remember, Longest Day: A Salute to Courage, Backstory: The Longest Day and D-Day Revisited), a stills gallery and the theatrical trailer. Patton will include an introduction and commentary by writer Francis Ford Coppola, 2 featurettes (History Through the Lens: Patton - A Rebel Revisited and Patton’s Ghost Corps), The Making of Patton documentary, a production stills gallery accompanied by Jerry Goldsmith’s complete musical score, a behind-the-scenes photo gallery accompanied by audio essay on the historical Patton, and the theatrical trailer. Finally, The Sand Pebbles will include audio commentary by director Robert Wise, Candice Bergen, Mako and Richard Crenna, the film's isolated score with commentary by music producer Nick Redman, film music historian Jon Burnlingame and screen writer/historian Lem Dobbs, a trivia track, 13 deleted “Road Show” scenes, 6 featurettes (The Making of Sand Pebbles, Steve McQueen Remembered, Bob Wise in Command, China 1926, A Ship Called San Pablo and The Secret of the San Pablo), a trivia track, the theatrical trailer and 2 radio documentaries (Changsha Bund and the Streets of Taipei and A Ship Called San Pablo)...

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From: Michael Proulx
Sent: Monday, April 21, 2008 9:09 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: The Sand Pebbles...

Hello there!

Congratulations on an excellent site. I’ve become an avid fan. Your latest addition - Icelandic movie program - even sparked an interest in me to learn a word or two of the language!

I’d like to add a bit of trivia if I may: Saul Wurtzel – Production Manager – died November 19, 1984 (IMDb)

Thought you might like to add this to the CREW section.

Best regards
Michael Proulx

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From: Ted Magnuson
Sent: Monday, April 21, 2008 4:06 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: DVD's at COSTCO

Hi Crispin,

I blundered onto your website a while back, and enjoy it! I was in Taiwan as a young Navy officer in '65/'66, and saw & met many of the principal actors & crew members (including Steve McQueen & Robert Wise), and saw some of the filming take place. Maybe more of that at a later time. The main reason I'm writing, is to tell you that COSTCO has the "Roadshow" & "Theatrical" DVD set of The Sand Pebbles for sale right now, for a penny less than ten bucks, quite a good deal.

Best regards,
Ted Magnuson

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From: Peter A.Manic
Sent: Tuesday, March 25, 2008 1:56 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: The Sand Pebbles...

Just want to drop a line commending you for a job well done. I've read the book and have the movie in my collection (DVD Widescreen). The movie itself is a timeless classic, and I feel bad the scene (which was filmed but was dropped from the final cut) when Holman was leaving his posting aboard a battleship (played by the U.S.S. Texas) and picking up when he arrived in Shanghai (where the movie begins)......THEY DON'T MAKE MOVIES LIKE THEY USED TOO!!!!!!!............

Peter A.Manic.......Atlantic City N.J.

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From: Fred Borgmann
Sent: Sunday, March 16, 2008 6:01 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: The Sand Pebbles

Hi Crispin,

I watched the DVD of The Sand Pebbles last night and curiosity lead me to the web site. I saw this show when it was a new release and loved it and always remembered it. When in San Diego a victory ship named the Lane Victory was in port and I took a tour. I was surprised and delighted to find that what they claim was the engine used in the movie was on display in one of the holds. This wasn't the Cummins diesel actually used to propel the ship but the one used in the engine room scenes. It seemed smaller than I imagined but seeing it was the impetus for me to get the DVD which I greatly enjoy.

I got to use a line from the movie last week while in Las Vegas. Early one morning a lady stopped me on the walkway and asked if I would like some company. I was wearing my Green Township Fire Department cap and told my buddies, "The uniform gets 'em every time."

I would like to get the CD sound track from the movie but its kind of hard to find. Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks for your message board.

Fred Borgmann
Cincinnati Ohio

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From: Darren Wright
Sent: Friday, March 07, 2008 9:35 AM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: The Sand Pebbles Bluray on Amazon.com

Cris,

Amazon.com now has The Sand Pebbles on Bluray up for pre-order:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00158K0UQ?tag=bluray-012-20

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From: PAUL KOVACS
Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2008 7:08 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: The Sand Pebbles Audience Preview Version

Hi Crispin. Thank you for your quick reply. The other things that I recall were Jake climbing up the steps to get topside of the flagship that he was leaving, Jake telling the SP Captain, or the other officer, that a piston rod would go through the hull and sink the ship (which fascinated me), and a full side angle shot of Chien actually in the crank case holding the wrench on the connecting rod bearing cap bolt before the accident happened (I guess this shot was to show the audience how dangerous the work was). It was in B/W. As I mentioned in the previous message, I saw this on a NYC station (channel 11 or maybe 7 abc) on a Saturday or maybe a Sunday afternoon. I was maybe 13 at the time and it left an impression on me to say the least. One of these stations may still have it in their vault. You can find anything in NYC. Thanks again, Paul.

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From: PAUL KOVACS
Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 6:04 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: The Sand Pebbles DVD

I just visited your site. Very well done. I can remember seeing the version of the movie back in the early 1970's on a NYC Saturday afternoon movie station (probably channel 11 which was PIX at the time) that actually showed the crankshaft straightening scene. I recall this because back then my JHS shop class friends and I were convinced that the work in this scene was next to impossible to be done right. We liked engines too. Last week I happened to see the movie for the second time on AMC and this part was not included. What DVD should I buy that would include the proper engine room work scenes and other missing scenes. BTW I'm an Engineer also, like Jake was. There are very few movies made that show this kind of action. Thanks for your kind attention on this, Paul Kovacs.

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Response - Thanks for your email and for confirming that you saw the crankshaft straightening scene which you may be surprised to learn is only remembered by a few people. The scene is not in the 182 minute theatrical version and was not even part of the original 195 minute roadshow version available on the 2-disc DVD set released in June 2007. It was part of the 200 minute audience preview version screened in the selected cities of Los Angeles, Minneapolis and Dallas. Interestingly enough the 200 minute version was allowed to circulate without fanfare in a few cities like Detroit and San Francisco which likely happened because Twentieth Century-Fox did not want to destroy these expensive prints and did not want to bother to re-edit these versions. The crankshaft scene was not in the original script and was probably added in toward the end of shooting for reasons unknown, but I suspect at the insistence of Steve McQueen who wanted to show his (and Jake Holman's) mechanical prowess. Robert Wise was trying to trim the 200 minute version down to 190 minutes before its 1966 premiere in NYC but only managed to excise 5 minutes and the crankshaft scene was evidently part of what he saw as expendable. A shame since it sounds interesting and I was never able to see it myself. So enjoy your memories of this scene since it may never surface again...but then again who knows what treasures Fox has buried in their vaults.

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From: Quinn Bastian
Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 3:56 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: DVD

Hi Cris,

First of all, my thanks for persevering and getting a “restored” DVD of this fine film out. I know that it took quite an effort and I am gratified that Fox finally relented and released the DVD we have. I must say that seeing restored scenes, some of which I was involved with, was a thrill since it has been so many years since I last saw them. I was particularly gratified with the” battle of the boom” sequence. I screened it with my family and was able to give them a personal commentary which really brought back many memories of being associated with so many hard working skilled and brilliant people. I do wish that they could have restored the road show print (and restored some still missing scenes) but at least we do have a partially restored film which is better than nothing. I was out of the country for quite a while (in Peru and Ecuador) and by the time I got back Mr. Wise had passed. To say I was both shocked and saddened is an understatement because he truly was one of a kind and a real gent. They just don’t come like him anymore.

Many thanks again.

Best regards,
Quinn

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From: Mitch Carter
Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 6:21 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: The Sand Pebbles...

Hi

Great site! I’ve been several times and continue to uncover gems. The latest is John Norris’ page. He mentions having several shots of him with Steve, both on the SP set and The Getaway. His description makes them sound very much worth seeing. Can you get those posted on the site as well? Thanks.

Oh, by the way…I am making a strong effort to be considered to play Steve in the upcoming biopic. While at this point, it’s only an option on Neile’s book, I figure it’s never too early to start lobbying. I was an actor for 14 years, often compared to Steve, got out 10 years ago and am making a “comeback” to try to get this. You can see pics at mcqueenonline.com. We are shooting two scenes from the Getaway this weekend and those will be posted on YouTube once the editing is done—assuming they turn out in such a state that I think they will withstand international exposure and scrutiny. I’ve been a fan of Steve’s for years and, if I never did another acting job, this one would leave me happy, doing the biopic.

Thanks again.

Mitch Carter
West Hills, CA

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From: Haristas
Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2008 4:55 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Interesting news

Cris:

From TheDigitalBits.com Jan. 15, 2008:

"The other Fox note today pertains to the anticipated release of Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World on Blu-ray Disc, which had been set for 2/5. TCFHE's marketing team has apparently decided to delay the title and bundle it with others as part of a large Father's Day promotion in June. Among the additional titles set to be included in this promotion are Mrs. Doubtfire, Patton, The Longest Day, The Sand Pebbles, A Bridge Too Far and Battle of Britain among others. The exact street dates and specs are TBA."

Sounds unlikely the roadshow version of TSP is what will be on Blu-ray, most probably the general release (and restored) version -- of course! But, TSP has certainly come to Blu-ray faster than I expected.

Rory

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From: Jim Myers
Sent: Sunday, Jan 13, 2008 2:22 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: San Pablo

I have always been curious as to the fate of the "U.S.S. San Pablo" after the movie. Any idea?

Jim Myers

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Response - This is a question that comes up from time to time. The trail seems to end in Vietnam 1966 when the boat was sold to a contractor rebuilding bridges there. In the 10 years that the TSP website has existed no one has come forward with any additional information. Perhaps someday.

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From: Pascal Dupont
Sent: Saturday, January 05, 2008 2:01 AM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Jerry Goldsmith French Website online !

Crispin - Hello and Happy New Year 2008.

As I had promised you, here is the announcement of the official launch of our site.

www.goldsmith-themusicallaw.net

I come back often to your wonderful site with a lot of nostalgia. The Sand Pebbles is one of my favorite movies. Steve McQueen and Candice Bergen are fantastic. I think Steve McQueen should have earned a gold statuette for this role. Because of its splendid music, I decided to do something for Jerry Goldsmith in France. Today, it's done! And I am pleased that you can share that with me. I created a link to your remarkable site...and thanks to "The Sand Pebbles" between France and the United States, now there is only a passion.

Happy New Year Crispin - Good continuation and long life for your site!

Sincerely,
Pascal and Quentin

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From: David Alves
Sent: Friday, December 28, 2007 9:42 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: A question about the Roadshow/Test Audience version

I bought a copy of the Sand Pebbles DVD including the Roadshow version of the film for my dad for Christmas. We just got through watching the Roadshow version. My dad remembers going to see the picture at a special screening at the Fox studio lot back in 1966. He does not remember if they saw the Roadshow version or the 200 minute Test Audience version (it's been 40 years!). He does remember going on the lot, entering the theater, across the street from Gotham city hall (Batman 1966). And sitting down to watch the movie. There weren't any announcements before the picture started. Or any questions after the picture was over. Do you or anybody else have any information on which version was screened at Fox in 1966?

Thank you

David Alves
Lake Forest, Ca

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Response - The 200 minute audience test version of The Sand Pebbles was screened for the media in Los Angeles before it was previewed in Minneapolis and Houston in November 1966. It seems likely that your father attended the media screening or a separate private screening.

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From: John Carver
Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2007 7:49 AM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: The Sand Pebbles...

My favorite movie ever.

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From: Pascal Dupont
Sent: Thursday, December 13, 2007 2:59 AM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: New Jerry Goldsmith French website

Pardon my English since I am French.

I just realized the new French site of the Maestro Jerry Goldsmith is now complete. It is a matter of a few days before it goes live.

This site is completely non-commercial. With a composer friend, we worked on it for two years so as to make a site very representative of the composer.

Jerry Goldsmith is my favorite composer and it has always been a dream of doing something on him one day. I did not know that it was going to be on the Internet. We also wanted to create a magnet in France on the Maestro of which is very little is known.

I love your site for a long time. I am a fan ... The Sand Pebbles and Planet of the Apes are my favorite films.

Bravo for what you are doing. In section catalog film, "The Sand Pebbles," I had a direct link to your site, which is extraordinary.

I am very admiring of your site ... add as much data on a single film, and what a masterpiece!

www.goldsmith-themusicallaw.net

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From: Jon Burlingame
Sent: Saturday, November 24, 2007 11:14 AM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Songs in TSP

Dear Crispin:

With regard to the names of the songs used as background "source music" in The Sand Pebbles:

In reel 7, you hear "Toot, Toot, Tootsie (Goodbye)" for 2:02, followed by "Has Anybody Seen My Gal" for 0:48. Later, in reel 15, you hear "Sleepy Time Gal" for 1:28.

All of the other music in the film is Jerry Goldsmith's original score, with the exception of the two authentic, Chinese ethnic pieces (attributed to Earle Hagen on the studio cue sheet, but as Hagen explained to me for the DVD commentary and my June 4 piece at www.filmmusicsociety.org, music he actually bought in Hong Kong for use on the TV series I Spy); and the several bugle calls heard in reel 3.

Best,
Jon Burlingame

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From: kbhornbaker
Sent: Saturday, November 10, 2007 6:36 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: A Sand Pebble actor

Joseph di Reda (Red Dog Shanahan) died Jun. 16, 2007.

Actor Joe Di Reda died of melanoma at age 78 in Worcester, Massachusetts. Mr. Di Reda began his acting career on stage during the late 1940s. He appeared in over 60 films and TV shows. Soap Opera fans will remember Mr. Di Reda for his role as Angel Moran in "General Hospital." Mr. Di Reda appeared in: "The Parallax View," "The Sand Pebbles" and Robert Aldrich's "Emperor of the North Pole." Mr. Di Reda's other credits include "The Andromeda Strain," "The Enemy Below" and "The Hindenburg."

http://www.einsiders.com/features/columns/jun07obituaries.php

Karen

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From: Solorzano Azzara, Mayra E.
Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2007 1:48 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Music Question

If possible, I would like to know the name of first couple of songs played as background when actress Marayat Andrianne was introduced to the sailors.

I believe one of then to be "Has Anybody Seen my Gal".

Thanks,
Mayra Solorzano Azzara

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Response - I agree that "Has Anybody Seen My Gal" (1925) is one of the songs playing as background, however the other songs are unknown to me. If anyone has an answer I'll be happy to pass it along.

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From: Michael Davidchik
Sent: Friday, November 02, 2007 10:16 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Various Versions of Sand Pebbles Theme

I have have your site handy and really enjoy your collection of many versions of the "Love Theme." This song has a very profound personal meaning because I spent several years in the Orient and met and married a woman there.

Former U.S. Navyman

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From: J.Beker
Sent: Tuesday, October 23, 2007 12:49 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: your website

Hello Crispin,

What a fantastic website on the SAND PEBBLES.

You may find this three images useful which show the two other original release vertical 1 sheet posters (A) and (B) from Germany and the horizontal 2 sheet poster (C), all from the first release.

There is a poster from a later rerelease (the one you have the lobby card images from). I also own the complete first release lobby card set.

If you are interested I can send pictures.

Thanks and keep up your great site!

Joerg

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From: Rolands Nguyen
Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2007 6:09 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: RE: Grace Markay...

Sir ,

Time is fleeting , I saw this film several times and I love watching C. Bergen & S. McQueen together. I wish there were more movies like this one. For me, this movie is one of the great adventure films of all time , and certainly has the best script of the 60s, managing to combine adventure, myth, romance, wit and political cynicism, an anti-foreign movement in the turbulent China of the mid-Twenties, the missionaries who were trying to spread western religions in China...while creating memorable characters and driving the story forward. At the End...Steve McQueen Died...What a pity !

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From: Jerry Bullard
Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2007 5:42 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: What a wonderful site

What a fantastic site...I remember seeing "The Sand Pebbles" in Brooklyn, NY when it first opened. Thanks for your site...it brought back a lot of wonderful memories for me.

Jerry Bullard
www.jerrybullard.com

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From: Rolands Nguyen
Sent: Friday, August 31, 2007 6:25 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Grace Markay...

Hi,

I like the version of the Grace Markay's song : "And We Were Lovers" from the Sand Pebbles, This movie impressed me : romantic scenes , plenty of action , the story makes sense to me. It's the best movie by far.

Thank you very much.

Best Regards.

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From: Ian Elliot
Sent: Sunday, August 19, 2007 5:32 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Peter Fonda, Robert Wise

Hi Crispin. I came across this item the other day, and thought you'd like to see it if you haven't already.
Cheers, Ian Elliot

http://www.fathom.com/feature/60808/index.html

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From: Kelsey Shannon
Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2007 1:12 AM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Thanks

I only recently became aware of this movie and I love it. Your site is fantastic. I can't wait to dive into all the information you've gathered.

Thanks for your efforts!

Best,
Kelsey

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From: Richard W. Haines
Sent: Wednesday, July 04, 2007 6:35 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Colorizing

Giving the matter some thought, there might some day be a way of 'colorizing' faded prints of missing scenes to match the remaining film. I don't think the technology exists right now but theoretically it might be possible. The concept would be to master a faded 70mm or 35mm print at 4K resolution in black and white and then add the color in the same manner as previous colorized black and white films. The exception here would be that you have a color reference from the surrounding scenes of what the image is supposed to look like. The problem with previous colorized movies is that they were shot in black and white which has a different gray scale and lighting design than color photography. Also, they had to create an entire color spectrum from scratch since the actual hues of objects on a set photographed in black and white would not look good if they just replicated what was there during the shoot. An example would be the gray Superman costume utilized in the early black and white episodes of the TV show.

Right now I don't believe they have a 4K scanner that can 'colorize' film that was inputted from a faded original. They would also have to adjust the contrast and reduce graininess since that's also lost when an Eastmancolor print deteriorates.

So perhaps some day they might be able to restore missing scenes in this manner. Unfortunately, time is not kind to fading Eastmancolor prints. They don't stop fading and continue to deteriorate until there is barely a faint image left. I recall seeing a faded reel of "The Sound of Music" that looked like this. Beyond pink and red. There was barely a latent image on the emulsion. Another problem is that magnetic oxide stereo tracks on 70mm are also a corrosive to the base and emulsion increasing the potential of 'vinegar syndrome' which can make tri-acetate warp and shrivel beyond printer or projector gate tolerance.

Richard W. Haines

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From: Craig
Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2007 5:17 pm
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Re: Charles Robinson

Thanks, Cris!

I think it's great we have a site like yours to honor the cast and crew of TSP. As an ex-naval officer, I felt our Ensign deserved a good send-off from the film's fans. I had also seen an alumni memorial notice on a Princeton University website, at the link below:

http://webscript.princeton.edu/~paw/memorials/memdisplay.php?id=7392

I have a collection of about 30 DVD's and in enjoying a movie the second or third time around, you form a better appreciation of the work of the supporting actors. Simon Oakland is another good example. It was fun to contrast his role in TSP with the one he played in Bullitt.

I read the book a couple of months back which I enjoyed very much, and look forward to watching the new version of the DVD in the near future. I have your site bookmarked and it is fun to stop by from time to time and read the comments.

Best regards,
Craig in NJ

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From: Haristas
Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2007 10:10 am
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Regarding the new DVD

Cris,

As a huge fan of THE SAND PEBBLES, the new Fox Home Entertainment DVD release is everything I could have hoped for and more. Of course, it's not perfect, but nothing is. I think the packaging is fine -- in fact I love it -- the extra features are great, and as a fan of Jerry Goldsmith, the isolated score and commentary track is a godsend and the best thing about the new release.

Yes, I am disappointed with the image quality of the Roadshow version, but short of finding a time machine and going back to December 1966 and stealing a 70mm print to bring back to 2007, what can you do?

However... I do, though, think that in the "presentation" of the Roadshow version, Fox Home Entertainment has -- pun intended -- "missed the boat."

This is what I think they should have done given the poor quality of the 70mm "Roadshow" print found:

What we all want to see, I assume, are simply those scenes from the Roadshow version that are missing from the shorter general release version. So, instead of making the viewer of the DVD slog through an inferior transfer of the movie just to view a few scenes not in what Fox calls the "theatrical" version, I wish that Fox had instead offered the opinion of being able to play the digitally restored general release version with the missing scenes inserted in the appropriate places. Now, I'm not talking about a transfer of the "Theatrical" version that's made longer, but one that offers the inclusion of the missing scenes if you wish.

This kind of thing is easily accomplished on DVD and has been done with other films that have various edited editions, director's cuts and such. You'd be able to select on your DVD menu the option to play just the "Theatrical" version of THE SAND PEBBLES, or the "Theatrical" version with "Roadshow scenes" inserted at the appropriate spots, including the exit music at the end. These "missing scenes" could also be collected in one spot on the DVD menu, and played together outside of a viewing of the film itself.

I hope this is the kind of thing Fox will consider when they finally get to presenting THE SAND PEBBLES on Blu-ray DVD, as I think a complete SAND PEBBLES is better than an incomplete one, but I really only want to watch the movie in the best picture and sound quality possible.

Regards,
Rory Monteith

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From: David Thalenberg
Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2007 9:09 am
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Charles Robinson

Dear Mr. Garcia,

In answer to Craig from NJ's question, Charles Robinson Jr. was indeed Lieutenant Bordelles in The Sand Pebbles. I am very grateful to Craig for posting the obituary. Charles Robinson was my uncle. He and his wife Joan were very proud of his work in The Sand Pebbles, and the time they spent filming it.

Uncle Charlie was an enthusiastic amateur magician and musician, and had a gift for languages. He learned a bit of Chinese during the time they spent on location, and the two of them worked up a magic show to entertain children in local orphanages. He always looked back on that period with great joy.

Kind regards,
David Thalenberg

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From: Richard W. Haines
Sent: Saturday, June 23, 2007 8:06 am
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Technical Data regarding film restoration

For those interested in technical data and what can and cannot be done regarding film restoration, here's some historical background and information.

There were only a few stable color processes prior to 1983. The best (and most expensive) one was Technicolor. They were referred to as "dye transfer" prints. Prior to the fifties, they actually photographed each color on a black and white negative in a huge bulky camera. This was known as "3 Strip Technicolor". Then from each B&W record of one color, a matrix would be made. A matrix was basically a printing plate of that color on film. Kind of like a rubber stamp impression of just that color frame by frame. The three matrices were coated with dye and each color literally stamped onto a blank piece of film. The final result was quite vivid, rich and never faded. There were some other color processes available too that didn't fade but weren't as reliable or quality oriented. There was 35mm and 16mm Kodachrome (also Anscolor which was a similar to Kodachrome). Later Kodak offered 8mm and Super 8 Kodachrome for home movies. Kodachrome didn't fade but didn't duplicate well. Then there was two strip Cinecolor and three color Super Cinecolor. They had dyes on both sides of the film (double emulsion stock) and didn't fade but had either a limited color range and difficult to focus.

In the early fifties, Kodak and Ansco developed color negative stock. Later Du Pont, Agfa and Fuji also offered color negative film. This was generally known as "Eastmancolor". Rather than exposing all three colors on a separate black and white negative, a color negative did this and was processed after the shoot. To make a print, a color positive was struck directly from the color negative. While these camera negative 'show prints' looked very sharp and fine grain, the color wasn't as vivid as a Technicolor print. However for many audiences, they looked fine and producers still had Technicolor as an option. In general, big budget films went with Technicolor which adapted it's process to make the three matrices directly from the Eastmancolor negative rather than the three strip black and white negative.

Most studios used Kodak color negative stock for their productions. Many studios also formed their own labs to make camera negative Eastmancolor positive release prints too. MGM created Metrocolor, Warner Brothers created Warnercolor and Fox created De Luxe color. However, it was all just Eastmancolor under different names. Through 1968, they made all of the Eastmancolor release prints directly from the camera negative which means they looked as good as they could in the process. Technicolor dye transfer prints from the same color negatives would've looked better but studios like Fox liked keeping everything in house rather than utilizing a separate lab for their prints beginning in 1953. In 1961 they also devised a printer to make a 70mm blow up print directly from a 35mm Panavision or CinemaScope negatives. Although it was technically a 'blow up', if the negative was fully exposed and extensively lit, they could look quite good although not as fine grain as a movie photographed in 65mm like "Lawrence of Arabia". However, since a large piece of film was being projected, they tended to hold up better on screens the size of The Rivoli as opposed to a standard 35mm print which might've gotten grainy on the enormous Dimenstion 150 screen there.

"The Sand Pebbles" had 70mm blow up prints and 35mm Eastmancolor prints derived directly from the 35mm Panavision camera negative back in 1966. They all looked good since the photography was excellent. No dye transfer Technicolor prints were made in any format even though Fox did print many of the other De Luxe titles in 16mm dye transfer like "The Seven Year Itch" and "How to Marry a Millionaire".

Unfortunately, there was serious problem with Eastmancolor (De Luxe, Metrocolor, Warnercolor) that no one addressed at the time. Both color negatives and color prints faded over the years. The rate of fading was based on the quality of the processing and De Luxe was rather notorious for fading the quickest. Year by year the colors evaporated leaving all release prints pinkish or completely red regardless of whether they were in 70m, 35mm or 16mm. The negative faded slower but often became quite worn from making so many prints directly from it. Ironically, this was not the case with Technicolor. The prints didn't fade at all and the negatives tended to remain in good shape since they were only used for making the matrices (printing plates) rather than striking the actual release copies.

So now it's decades later and the studios have to deal with what they have on hand. The new digital technologies allow them to color correct the original camera negative providing it isn't completely faded and also remove all the scratches, wear and tear, dust and dirt acquired from making hundreds of prints off them so long ago. "The Sand Pebbles" is one of those lucky films to still have a reasonably intact color negative although there was a lot of wear that had to be corrected. The end results were outstanding. Unfortunately, the actual release prints of the movie are in horrible shape as can be seen from the 70mm print they used for the Roadshow version. It's nothing but shades of pink and red with just a hint of other colors popping through. The color corrected it the best they can but it will never be the same. There's simply too much color missing in old "Color by De Luxe" copies. I've seen other 35mm and 16mm prints and they're shades of red.

In 1983 Kodak and the other stock manufacturers offered "Low Fade" color negative and color positive film. What that actually means will be apparent in the future. While it's certainly an improvement over the original "quick fade" Eastmancolor stock, it will never match the quality or stability of Technicolor's "no fade" process. It's sad that between 1997-2001, Technicolor did revive the superior dye transfer process and it was used on "The Wizard of Oz" and "Apocalypse Redux" restorations and looked great. However, the industry didn't seem interested in improving the quality of release prints and was more interested in the home entertainment formats (DVD, cable etc.) so they shut it down again.

Today's release prints are not struck from the camera negative as they were prior to 1968. They're made from duplicate negatives on a high speed printer which degrades the quality to a considerable degree. Prints from the fifties and sixties looked much better than the high speed copies shown today. In Hollywood they still show camera negative prints (called "Show Prints") for the industry while the consumer is stuck with the third rate copies in the plexes.

Of course DVDs are mastered from the actual negative or other pre-print and also look better than the theatrical release copies. They wouldn't dare master a film from what's shown in theaters now. It would be rejected by the video distributors.

In terms of a 70mm restoration of "The Sand Pebbles", that will never happen either. I don't know if the new 4K negative would withstand magnification to that degree. You might see the pixels. Also, despite it's superior quality, 70mm is an obsolete process. Very few theaters have the equipment and none of the megaplexes have it. The stock is very expensive and there would be so few cinemas that could play it, there would be no way that Fox could make it's money back. A new 35mm print would be under $4000. A new 70mm print be upwards of $25,000. The numbers don't add up in terms of potential revenue from bookings.

Richard W. Haines

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From: Richard W. Haines
Sent: Thursday, Jun 21, 2007 5:59 AM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: RE: new "Sand Pebbles" special edition disc set

Actually, I met Wise many years ago at an AFI Premiere of "The Tall Guy" and asked him about the cuts in "The Sand Pebbles" and he didn't seem to care or object to the trims. On the other hand, this tended to be the case with studio directors at the time. David Lean didn't want to restore "Lawrence of Arabia", Bob Harris did. He got into it once the project was started but Lean had trimmed the film himself after the Royal Premiere to the standard 3 hour and 20 minute version.

In any event, once I saw the cuts in English, they were generally poorly acted and not up to the performances in the rest of the film and/or slowed down the narrative flow. Basically the main objection for me was the awkward picture and music jump cut from the junk floating by to the beginning of the marriage. At least in the restaurant scene (which was poorly acted too) you retained the optical dissolve and better transition.

There's really nothing much more Fox can do colorwise with the faded 70mm print they had on hand. I think they found it in England which accounts for the censor cut during the Po Han torture scene. The only hope of officially restoring any of the missing scenes would be to find duplicate negative sections in some other country. Even here, they would be pretty faded since Color by DeLuxe was very unstable. DeLuxe made very good camera negative blow up 70mm prints and EK release prints but they cut corners in processing at the time which is why the release copies faded to red so quick. Unfortunately, there were no dye transfer prints of "The Sand Pebbles" made in 16mm even though many Fox movies exhibited in 35mm Eastmancolor did have Technicolor prints made in the smaller format.

At least the standard cut is beautifully restored and preserved. I certainly enjoy that cut of the movie or at least am used to it to the point where the missing scenes aren't missed by me as I watch the film.

RWH

------------------------------------------

Response - With the new TSP DVD set I think fans have the best of both worlds, the short version for those who prefer the somewhat tighter editing and pristine format and the Roadshow for fans who like the longer version with all of its blemishes.

As a long-time fan of TSP I am always looking for any historic items related to this film. I am quite pleased that the Roadshow is available to the world again. Some fans don't mind the faded colors and 'bad' acting since they once again have the 'complete' version.

I am glad that Fox did not try to patch the missing scenes into the restored 182 minute version as they did with South Pacific.

I will always be on the look-out for those 'lost' scenes cut from the 200 minute audience test version shown in LA, Minneapolis and Dallas which include the battleship opening (1 1/2 minutes), the brief scene of Holman and the prostitute going up the stairs at the Crows Nest bar and the "Hammer hammer" scene where Holman and Pohan first begin to develop their relationship. Chances of seeing them again, of course, are slim to none. - CG

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From: Paul
Sent: Friday, June 15, 2007 8:13 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: The Sand Pebbles restoration

Hi Cris,

Finally had a chance to view the complete restored version without the pixelization and problems I encountered my first attempt. Used a second machine that I had forgotten about and the dvd played fine.

Been reading some of the comments with much interest. To me the most important restored scenes are the ones between Frenchy and Holman in the first half as well as the Holman-Shirley scenes in the second half. The scene in the courtyard piror to the romantic montage is important as it sets up the scenes that follow. The restaurant scene also fits in nicely and the film flows better with it.

I must admit that Fox made a really nice presentation overall. With the reproduction of the souvenir program etc ...

Hope that Fox revisits this version and releases it in BluRay with better color. However....I was so excited to finally see the 'restored' version the lack of color did not bother me...Sort of like sepia tones....

Hope you are enjoying the set as much as I am..

Regards,
Paul

_____________________________________

From: Richard W. Haines
Sent: Friday, June 15, 2007 7:46 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: new "Sand Pebbles" special edition disc set

I just purchased and screened the new "Sand Pebbles" special edition disc set. In terms of the standard cut version, the results are outstanding. Fox digitally scanned in the 182 minute 35mm camera negative at 4K resolution and did a frame by frame color correction and clean up so the picture looks brand new. This is historically important in that it's the first time a film has been restored at 4K resolution. All previous restorations were at 2K.

As for the "Roadshow" version on the other disc, all they had available was a faded 70mm print. They tried to get rid of some of the magenta but there are limits with what you can do with a print that has severe color loss. It looks poor and I'm surprised that they didn't use a technique that was attempted on "South Pacific", namely using the restored standard cut for the bulk of the film and then insert edit in the faded extra scenes rather than just mastering the entire faded print. What's also curious is there's a censor cut during the Po Han torture scene. You don't see the first three knife slices in close up. Only in wide shot.

In terms of the missing footage, while it's all very interesting to watch as a fan of the film, many of the scenes are padding that slow down the narrative flow. The river bandits sequence, sew sew scene and extra footage of Holman crawling around the pipes were not necessary and distracting. I can see why they were cut. I guess the scene with Homan and Frenchy arguing about the fight was worth including. The additional footage of Shirley and Holman were important to the character development but not well acted. When Holman says "Sure" to her it's a bit over the top. There was a lack of chemistry between McQueen and Bergen which is more apparent in the extra footage. If I were to include any of it, I'd just keep the restaurant sequence. At least it dissolves to the wedding rather than the awkward jump cut in the theatrical version. I felt the ship on fire slowed down the action in the climax.

I guess this is the problem with so many restorations. "The Sand Pebbles" is one of my all time favorite films but I can understand why they trimmed it after the Rivoli. The editing is tighter in the standard cut. The Roadshow seems padded with extraneous footage. This turned out to be the case with "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" too. Like so many fans I was anxious to see what was cut from the Roadshow but after screening it, I determined that shorter version was better.

I guess in summary, the only two scenes I think are worth restoring permanently would be the restaurant sequence and Frenchy and Holman argument about the fight. That could only be done if they found the negative elements somewhere. Perhaps they exist overseas in some duplicate form. The camera negative for the scenes is apparently lost. Restoring the color from a faded 70mm print would not match the pristine quality of the rest of the feature.

Richard W. Haines

_____________________________________

From: Hammerstrom, Neil
Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2007 11:46 AM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: New DVD of The Sand Pebbles

Dear Mr. Garcia, I received my new DVD of The Sand Pebbles from Amazon last week and immediately watched the road show version (Disc Two). I noticed that the color is not nearly as good on this version as it is on the general theatrical release version on Disc One and the previously issued 20th Century Fox DVD. It’s particularly noticeable in the scene of the battle with the junks, where the sky appears gray in the road show version and blue in the previously released version. The road show version also tends to have a more reddish tint. Do you know what accounts for the visual difference between the two versions or could I have gotten a bad copy? I continue to enjoy your website. Thank you.

Neil Hammerstrom
Alexandria, Virginia

------------------------------------------

Response - Your copy is not bad, it's the 70mm source that was used that is faded from 40 years of neglect by Fox. According to Richard W. Haines (archivist, writer, director) there is little hope for a color restoration of the 70mm print since the colors are faded beyond recovery. The important thing is that at least you have a copy of the original roadshow. - CG


_____________________________________

From: Jonathan Burlingame
Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 10:49 AM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Sand Pebbles music

Dear Crispin:

Thought you and your readers might be interested in my piece on the Goldsmith score, based on the research I did for the DVD commentary:

http://www.filmmusicsociety.org/news_events/features/2007/060407.html?IsArchive=060407

Feel free to create a link! This will be permanently archived on the FMS website.

Great site.

Best,
Jon Burlingame
author, "Sound and Vision: 60 Years of Motion Picture Soundtracks"

_____________________________________

From: Tremblay Jean-Maurice
Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2007 11:03 AM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: June 5 2007

CG,

First impressions on the new DVD.

1- Roadshow:
I went first to the Roadshow edition for the 70MM and the missing scenes. The print is awfull. Colors ugly. Why show the whole thing for the 15 missing minutes ? Still, I believe the restaurant scene and the fire scene should have been added 'proper' to the theatrical version.

2- Documentaries:
Fabulous! So many previously unpublished photos taken during the shoot. Probably from Candice Bergen (or Bob Wise) personal collections. More than 1 hour !

3- Theatrical version:
Gorgeous colors!
Sound track for Jerry Goldsmith music isolated !! Great!! Nick Redman is never boring.

4- The Souvenir Book reprint is also a great touch!

5- Wish they had given out more stats: total cost; US Box office, etc.

6- They have included somewhere in the documentaries the definitive master of the HT artwork... along with the Gill version. So they had the original negatives somewhere.

Still, it is quality treatment (except the sour note concerning the missing scenes). I guess in the end, Bob Wise himself did not seem to care about them...

JMT

_____________________________________

From: Geoff Toole
Sent: Sunday, June 03, 2007 5:21 AM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: TSP DVD Comments

Hi Cris,

Hope you are well. I watched the entire roadshow version of The Sand Pebbles last night and can say that all of the main missing scenes are there, but truly, the print is, unfortunately, a faded print with a lot of pink and in some scenes entirely drained of color. It is nice to see it in its entirety, but when you go back to the theatrical print it is like night and day when it comes to the color.

Extras are all terrific, though it would have been nice to see the battleship sequence either as an extra or as an easter egg. Total package is wonderful except for the faded print, but one cannot complain since we finally did get a print in English with the cut scenes. I wish Fox spent the money to restore the color, but one cannot get everything.

Anyway, my take on the new DVD. Let me know your thoughts upon viewing.

Best regards,
Geoff

_____________________________________

From: Mark Schmeling
Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2007 7:43 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: The Sand Pebbles, of course

January, 1967, Music Hall Theater, Detroit, Michigan. A balcony seat for the roadshow engagement of "The Sand Pebbles." And now, finally, a restored roadshow version of this great film. As I recall, the 1960's featured a host of film heros (or anti-heros) who died in feature films. "Cool Hand Luke," at least he was "dying" in the last scene. "El Cid" who was mounted on his steed very dead, and sent out into battle, when the rumor had spread through the ranks of the Moorish invaders that The Cid was dead, thus rallying his troops and frightening the enemy. Burton in "The Spy Who Came in from the Cold." Newman, once again, in "Hombre." Heston, once again, in "Khartoum," taking a spear in the chest, and becoming a rallying cry for further British intervention in the Sudan. It just seemed that leading men wanted to die in their productions at that time.

But so many dead in "The Sand Pebbles," was a real downer. Tony Martin singing the love theme from "The Sand Pebbles" on the Tonight Show, soon after the Rivoli premiere, and Carson says, "I hear McQueen's great in it.," sent chills through me. Favorite "Pebbles" scene? It has to be when Jake introduces himself to the San Pablo engine. I also remember the photo on the back of the paperback edition of "The Sand Pebbles" which took place between Shirley and Jake and the meal they shared together - which is now restored. Yes, it would have been incredible if 20th Century Fox had issued theatrical prints. I certainly would have been there re-opening night.

Best regards......

_____________________________________

From: Haristas
Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2007 10:52 AM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Another TSP new DVD review

Cris,

I've just read this at the Film Score Monthly website.

It unfortunately looks to be true that Fox has used an inferior print for the entire "Roadshow" transfer of TSP! How bad it'll be we'll see soon, but it seems a sure bet then that when the film is upgraded to Hi-def Blu-ray it'll be the general release version that's transferred. Anyway, at least we've finally got the roadshow version in English and in 16:9 anamorphic. I'll take what I can get from Fox.

Rory

_____________________________________

From: Ronald L. Kovar
Sent: Saturday, May 26, 2007 12:30 AM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: One of the best on the net

This site is one of the best on the net, and from the time I first saw the movie on the big screen in 1966 it has been one of my favorites.

I still have the old two tape VHS set, as a side note Stembridge Gun Rentals was one of the loan gun companies for the firearms. When Steve wielded the 1918 Marlin Rockwell B.A.R. in the movie in a number of the scenes and at the end of the film, that 1918 Marlin Rockwell B.A.R. was sold I heard for $30,000 to some collector later on (in the last ten years). I have been trying to track it down with no luck since. If I find the info I will pass it on to you. That's a little bit of movie gun history.

Good work and take care,
Ron

_____________________________________

From: Haristas
Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2007 9:05 AM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Cinema Retro article

Hi Cris,

Have you subscribed to Cinema Retro and if so received issue #8? I have and the article on TSP restoration is only one page. It really doesn't have that much to say we don't already know. The one thing of interest is that the roadshow version of the film was finally found by searching Fox's "70mm print archive," something I've never heard Fox had before, and that the restored footage then is from the 70mm blowups of the original 35mm interpositives and was digitally "restored." The article also says that Fox's Vice President of Film Preservation, Schawn Belston, "cannot say categorically that every missing scene has been restored," but that he believes this to be the case.

So there you have it. Only a couple more weeks until the DVD is out.

The article also mentions your website -- but not you!

Rory

------------------------------------------

Response - Lee Pfeiffer of Cinema Retro was generous enough to mail me a copy of this issue. - CG

_____________________________________

From: Robert Freedman
Sent: Saturday, May 19, 2007 6:43 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Re: the restoration

Crispin, Thank you for answering my question. Last year as I hunted for the 179 (182) minute dvd on the net I found that one was very hard to come by. One day I walked into my local Blockbuster and they had one which they sold to me. So now I will get the restored version. From what I've read the quality is very good. I also have the hardback book. It is interesting reading some of the negative reviews of the movie that appear on the web. It seems that the inclusion of the original scenes would have added more context and of course some negative critics just don't get it. (eg. some critic saying Paul Newman would have been more appropriate than Steve McQueen - as much as I like Paul Newman . . . McQueen was perfect). So despite some flaws the movie's power and message do triumph.

Thank you again.

Best wishes, Robert

PS I'm in the Screen Actor's Guild and appreciate all you have done.

_____________________________________

From: Robert Freedman
Date: Saturday, May 19, 2007 4:36 am
Subject: the restoration
To: Crispin Garcia

Hi, The Sand Pebbles is my favorite movie. Saw it in college. Saw it while in the USN. QUESTION? On the June 5 release are the missing 14 minutes actually restored to the roadshow version? If you know the answer please let me know. On the ad for this release the running time of 182 minutes (I've also seen 185 minutes) is given. Do those minutes refer to the 1966 theatrical release or to the restored version?

Thank you.

Robert Freedman

------------------------------------------

Response - The new 2-disc DVD set will include the 182 minute version we are all familiar with on disc #1...plus the 195 minute 1966 roadshow version on disc #2.

Twentieth Century-Fox recently found the 195 minute (unedited) version in their vaults after being on their "missing" list since the early 80's when they had used it to release the complete version on an early VHS tape in the pan and scan format. Careless archive work on someone's part at Fox.

Is this the absolute complete version of the film? No. Although I will wait until I see the new DVD, I believe it will still lack the original intro opening on the battleship, the staircase scene in the Crow's Nest bar and the "Hammer-hammer" scene where Holman and Po-han repair the bent crankshaft which sets up the reference in the boxing match where Holman shouts the instruction to Po-han to "hammer-hammer" during the fight.

In spite of this I think everyone will be quite pleased to have the more complete version of the film. - CG

_____________________________________

From: Paul Rossen
Sent: Thursday, May 10, 2007 7:32 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: The Sand Pebbles restoration

Hi Cris,

Read from your Website the first review of the forthcoming DVD. Did you notice that both versions now have a 5.1 sound as well as 4.0? Trust the 5.1 is a fuller sounding disc? It was quite stunning at The Rivoli. Also, seeing the small ticket holder the CinemaRetro had for The Rivoli brought back memories.

Even with the 70mm 6 track stereo stems I'm sure that Fox had to remix the sound. Remember the surrounds were in mono and certainly in films such as the blow up 35mm 4 track TSP there was very little in the surround channel. Perhaps the Fox team changed this with the Goldsmith score but I doubt it. The epic films of the Roadshow era had tracks devoted to speakers behind the screen so that one could follow the sound across the screen. But there was very little surround information. Certainly not as much as in today's films.

However, it is very exciting that we will have this dvd in less than a month.

Regards,
paul

_____________________________________

From: Jose Madarieta
Sent: Thursday, May 10, 2007 8:50 AM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: RE: "The Sand Pebbles" is in the news once again...

Mr. Garcia,

Thank you for the information. I have been contacted by part of the team producing the documentary portion of the new DVD for permission to include some of the still photographs that we house in our archive. We are, needless to say, quite pleased.

It might interest you to know that I have been in correspondence with a gentleman from France who recently viewed the film and was looking for a copy of the novel in French. He said it was “a story that needs to be told again and again in this troubled world we live in”.

Thank you for all that you do in maintaining your website and ensuring that McKenna’s work is still available to the public.

José Luis Madarieta
http://www.mtnhomesd.org/Richard_McKenna/

_____________________________________

From: CINEMARETRO
Date: Wednesday, May 9, 2007 0:51 am
Subject: SAND PEBBLES FIRST REVIEW POSTED
To: Crispin Garcia

Crispin,

We just posted the first review of the Sand Pebbles restored DVD edition - we also put in a link to your site in the article. This edition is worth the wait - superb! Thanks for all your efforts over the years - it finally paid off. You may want to alert your readers to go to www.cinemaretro.com.

Also, our latest issue of the print version of the magazine has an article about the restoration and comments from the person who headed the restoration team.

Thanks

Lee Pfeiffer
Editor-in-Chief
Cinema Retro magazine
732-752-7257

WWW.CINEMARETRO.COM- "CINEMA RETRO" IS THE NEW MAGAZINE DEVOTED TO CLASSIC & CULT FILMS OF THE ' 60S & '70S. WRITTEN ABOUT AND BY THE ACTORS & FILMMAKERS OF THE ERA.

"Cinema Retro is a must for fans of movies from the '60s and '70s - and they didn't have to pay me to say that!"- Sir Roger Moore KBE

_____________________________________

From: thekrafts
Sent: Saturday, April 21, 2007 5:20 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: RE: Soundtrack from The Sand Pebbles

Crispin –

I find I’m spending a lot of my spare time on the site looking into the various pearls of information about that movie. They sure couldn’t do it today without a lot of CGI. Sad to see that so many of the cast and crew are no longer with us. But, then, it was 41 years ago. Still looks fresh, though. Just after that movie was released I was assigned as a landing craft crewman in the Mekong Delta and, although the scenery and the ships were different, so much of the movie resonates with me in a very personal way. Some things never change.

Thanks again for all you’ve done to keep this film alive.

George

_____________________________________

From: thekrafts
Sent: Friday, April 20, 2007 6:28 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Soundtrack from The Sand Pebbles

Hi!

Fantastic website! I have tried to purchase the clip of Jerry Goldsmith’s version of the love theme but am unable to find it anywhere. iTunes has the sound track but nothing on their website sounded like it contained the 2:14 segment you have on your website, and Goldsmith’s rendition is certainly the best. Maybe it’s buried in iTunes somewhere but I couldn’t find it. Do you happen to know if it’s commercially available?

I appreciate your tribute to one of Hollywood’s best films. Keep it going!

Thanks,
George

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Response - This version was pulled off the 1966 LP soundtrack album. The album occasionally comes up for sale on eBay. It was also included on the 1994 Tsunami CD. - CG

_____________________________________

From: Tremblay Jean-Maurice
Sent: Friday, April 20, 2007 7:43 AM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: June 5

CG,

They are using the UK bastardized version (re: the new Sand Pebbles DVD cover art), instead of your restored version! A shame, since they probably own the rights anyway.

JMT

_____________________________________

From: Daniel Cyr
Sent: Saturday, April 07, 2007 1:59 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: I have a question for you Crispin

Bonjour,

I read an information on the web site The Steven Hill Tribute Page. Steven Hill is probably best-known for his role as District Attorney Adam Schiff on NBC's Law & Order, from 1990 - 2000. He also starred as Impossible Missions Force leader Dan Briggs in the first season of Mission: Impossible, 1966 - 67.

I read this information : Lost a lead role in The Sand Pebbles (1966) because he wouldn't work on the Jewish Sabbath (Saturday). That's true or not?

Thanks a lot,

Daniel

------------------------------------------

Response - Certainly an interesting bit of trivia - but this is totally new to me. - CG

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From: Ian Elliot
Sent: Saturday, April 07, 2007 8:50 AM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: ASC Sand Pebbles article

Hello. I thought you might like to know about this one, if you haven't seen it already. And many thanks for your site.

http://www.ascmag.com/magazine_dynamic/July2006/PostFocus/page2.php

All the best, Ian Elliot
(Hamilton, Ontario)

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From: Geoff Toole
Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2007 2:28 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Did you see this yet. Sounds very nice. Geoff

Fox Home Entertainment have announced the Region 1 Special Edition DVD release of three World War II titles on 5th June 2007. Priced at $19.98 SRP each:

The Sand Pebbles - Engineer Jake Holman arrives aboard the gunboat U.S.S. San Pablo, assigned to patrol a tributary of the Yangtze in the middle of exploited and revolution-torn 1926 China. His iconoclasm and cynical nature soon clash with the "rice-bowl" system which runs the ship and the uneasy symbiosis between Chinese and foreigner on the river. Hostility towards the gunboat's presence reaches a climax when the boat must crash through a river-boom and rescue missionaries upriver at China Light Mission.

Features on this 2-Disc Special Edition include…

Specs:
• 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
• English DD4.0 Surround and Stereo
• French Mono
• English, French and Spanish subtitles

Disc 1:
• Anamorphic Widescreen Feature (Theatrical Version)
• Audio Commentary by Director Robert Wise and actors Candice Bergen, Mako & Richard Crenna
• Isolated score and FX with commentary by Music Producer Nick Redman, Film Music Historian Jon Burlingame, Screenwriter (The Limey, Dark City) and Film Historian Lem Dobbs

Disc 2 (Side A):
• Roadshow Version Feature
• Robert Wise Roadshow Intro
• Richard Zanuck Roadshow Intro

Disc 2 (Side B):
• "The Making Of Sand Pebbles" Featurettes (view individually or play all)
• Side Bars:
o Steve McQueen Remembered
o Robert Wise In Command
o China 1926
• From FOX Vault:
o A Ship Called SAN PABLO- Narrated by Richard Attenborough
o The Secret of the SAN PABLO- Narrated by Richard Crenna
• Radio Documentaries Narrated by Richard Attenborough:
o Changsha Bund and the Streets of Taipei
o A Ship Called SAN PABLO
• Radio Spots:
o 2:00 of audio over static image
• Theatrical Trailer
• Still Galleries
• MAD Magazine's THE "SAM PEBBLES"

_____________________________________

From: Sam LOWRY
Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2007 9:59 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: The Sand Pebbles... AT LAST !

Hello,

I'm a French fan of The Sand Pebbles, I signed your petition a long time ago... But I just read the news of the restoration and it gave me a greaaat smile.

Thanks a lot for your abnegation during all these years !

Best regards,

J.-E. HAVET

_____________________________________

From: Daniel Cyr
Sent: Sunday, March 18, 2007 10:27 AM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: The Sand Pebbles (Special Edition) DVD

Bonjour,

Sorry for my english is not very good but a new version on DVD of The Sand Pebbles coming very soon !

THE SAND PEBBLES (1966) - Collector's Edition
Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 4.0, Dolby Digital stereo, French Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; audio commentary by Wise, Crenna, Bergen, others; featurettes; isolated score; photo gallery; radio documentaries; radio spots; theatrical trailer; more. Two-disc set.

It is a extended cut or restored version ? I don't know but I hope. This is a very good news for everybody who like Steve McQueen in this great movie.

Daniel Cyr

------------------------------------------

Response - As reported earlier last week by forum contributors Mike Thomas and Paul there is a new 2-disc DVD set of the Sand Pebbles that will be released in June. One disc will hold the 179/182 minute version everyone is familiar with, the second disc will hold the 195 minute roadshow version of the film. Finally fans will be rewarded for their patience! - CG

_____________________________________

From: Michael Thomas
Date: Tuesday, March 13, 2007 6:46 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Release of restored TSP...

Cris,
Just got word the new Fox DVD of "Pebbles' will have both the restored roadshow and wide releases on it.

Mike

_____________________________________

From: Michael Smith
Date: Tuesday, March 13, 2007 5:24 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: the "Pebbles"

Ever since my Dad told me about standing guard with a BAR at one of the gates of the Forbidden City in '46, then reading the Fleet the Gods Forgot by W. G. Winslow , then seeing "The Sand Pebbles" and then the topper, the first book of W.E.B. Griffin's book "THE CORPS "... I was soooo hooked on the tales of the Asiatic Fleet. The "Sand Pebbles" was (and is) the highlight of my film watching career.

_____________________________________

From: Paul
Date: Thursday, March 08, 2007 8:05 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: TSP new DVD

Cris,

New DVD is announced for June 5th as part of a Fox release. No specifics.

Regards,
Paul

_____________________________________

From: Christian Oller
Date: Wed, 07 Mar 2007 13:43:50 +0100
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: your Site The Sand Pebbles

Hello,

just i would like to say that i appreciate your work about this movie, the pictures, the sounds, and all this accomplished work you made. i m really enjoy to see that, and i would like to express you my gratitude.

Best Regards
Christian OLLER
France

_____________________________________

From: Rory Monteith
Date: Tue, 6 Mar 2007 10:50:23 EST
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: The dvdsavant TSP review flap

Hi Crispin,

While I agree with you that the "dvdsavant" review of TSP is flawed in many ways (I'd like to know the age of the reviewer, for I find, being near 50 now, the opinions of 99% of those under 30, or even 40, to be of little value), it is generally positive and doesn't discourage viewing of the movie. My biggest complaint, however, is the opinion of the writer that the 16:9 transfer is "glowing."

While generally OK, the current DVD transfer is from 35mm elements that often display inconsistent and fading colors. While I don't hold out great hope of a full "Roadshow" restoration of TSP, I can only cross my fingers that Fox is currently working a far better restoration than they have ever done before for TSP's eventual presentation on Blu-ray DVD. The "dvdsavant" reviewer may not completely appreciate the excellence of TSP, but the movie definitely deserves a better picture transfer than it currently has.

Rory Monteith

_____________________________________

From: Jim Vines
Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2007 01:09:29 -0800 [04:09:29 AM EST]
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Your "SP" site..

Hi, Crispin...

As a big Steve McQueen fan, I was recently checking out your great "Sand Pebbles" website. I was friends with Dick Crenna's son, Richard, back in the late 70s. (My childhood friend and his mom have been long-time close friends with the Crenna family.) About ten years ago, I gave my friend a "Sand Pebbles" poster for Mr. Crenna to sign. A few days later I got it back. On it was written: "To Jim, Sunshine always...Richard Crenna." This poster now hangs in my office. I'll tell ya...Mr. Crenna was a wonderful man. Very friendly, very funny. He is definitely missed.

Anyway, great site. Keep up the great work!

Jim

PS: Feel free to check out my website: www.TheWorkingScreenwriter.com

_____________________________________

From: Glenn Erickson (dvdsavant@mindspring.com)
Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2007 6:06 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Re: A Man For all Seasons...

Well, thanks for your opinion, Crispin. It doesn't sound like my reviews appeal to you very much. I did review TSP if you want to go check out my attitude toward that movie.

Thanks again,

Glenn Erickson

My original email below:

_____________________________________

From: Crispin Garcia
Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2007 1:49 PM
To: 'dvdsavant@mindspring.com'
Subject: A Man For all Seasons...

Hello,

Usually I read your reviews and take them with a grain of salt, after all everyone has different tastes and what may appeal to one will not to another.

But reading your review this morning of 'A Man For All Seasons' (AMFAS) I was struck by your lack of objectivity as you tried to explain the difference between AMFAS and the Sand Pebbles (TSP).

I think both films are great in their own right but AMFAS was a play before it become a movie, while TSP was a novel that transitioned to a motion picture. I won't get into the argument of who should have won the Oscar for Best Actor, Scofield won and that is history. But stating that TSP (one of the late Robert Wise's finest films) is a just a good action/fair drama film shows your lack of education of that time period in history and what the book and film were trying to state. That in itself is regrettable but your snide comment that Neil Adams McQueen 'rolled her eyes' and stated the Academy voted 'British' that year shows a lack of sensitivity for her opinion, making her comments seem less relevant because she is not a 'film critic' as some people like to consider themselves. A 'wink of the eye' implies that she is Steve McQueen's ex-wife and of course that's the way she would feel.

Well she isn't the only one that feels that way. Do your homework because you state your case or just spare us the comparisons between these two fine films...and by the way your review of 'The Sand Pebbles' is just awful and full of misinformation and misconceptions. I know you can't fight city hall and what I may say will not change your opinion but I felt your review could not pass without comment. Below is a link for your viewing pleasure and education.

http://www.thesandpebbles.com/snam/charles_champlin.wvx

Crispin Garcia

_____________________________________

Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2007 18:30:44 -0600
From: Jeff Fielder
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Sand Pebbles DVD

Hello - Do you know where I might find a copy of The Sand Pebbles on DVD? It is to be a gift for a friend.

Thanks for your help!

Jeff Fielder
Bartlett, IL

------------------------------

See response in previous email below - CG

_____________________________________

Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2007 13:46:32 -0500
From: "Wood, Randall L. -- MCHS"
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Sand Pebbles DVD

Just wanted to let you know if you didn't already know. On Turner Classic Movies web page for the Sand Pebbles, there is a place where people can vote to have the movie released on DVD. According to the site, they periodically report to the studios of movies that people are highly requesting. Don't know if it will work but I figure it is worth a try, if you want to pass on to everyone to go visit the page and vote. In fact I'll just include the web address at the bottom of the email. Also, I'm curious, do you know why the movie isn't currently on DVD. I mean with all the crappy movies you can go out and buy, its hard for me to understand why a movie this heavily nominated isn't out on DVD. I tried to find an email address or a number to call the studio to ask but couldn't find one. I just find it funny that I can go out and buy "Hell Is For Heroes" for $4.44 and this movie isn't on sale. Anyway, thanks.

http://www.tcmdb.com/title/title.jsp?stid=3D19601


------------------------------

Response - The original Sand Pebbles DVD was released in May 2001 and the old inventory for this title has been depleted. Fox is planning on releasing a new DVD version with more extras this year (date unknown as of this writing) but it will NOT be the restored version. New and used DVD's can sometimes be found on eBay and Amazon.com. During the past year Twentieth Century Fox has become very difficult to contact via email or telephone because they have removed most, if not all, contact information from their various websites. - CG

_____________________________________

Date: Fri, 19 Jan 2007 01:14:35 -0800 (PST)
From: Mark Hamilton
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: A Deep Appreciation for Your Efforts

For close to forty years I have treasured this movie, and often felt very alone in my deep affection. In the early 1970's I spent a summer in Taiwan as a student, flew to Quemoy and peeked at "Red" China, toured Taiwan's ports and natural areas, and lived with their people. As a history and political science student I fell in love with the Chinese, and can smell the backwaters, rivers, mountains and streets even today (I am sure it is no longer the same though).

After that trip people asked me what it was like - I always said, "See the Sand Pebbles. The movie, including its music, conveys the look and feel in unreal detail." It was almost scary...even now I can see the hundreds of telephone and electrical lines spanning an old urban blvd - like an old Shanghai photo.

And as one message poster said, there are times that a movie sears itself in one's soul - not always appreciated by others. Sand Pebbles is one of very few films that has done that for me. The political and racial issues, the recreation of a long forgotten era, the love between a rural loner and an idealistic missionary, the tragic consequences. And the end, in the pale white moonlight of a Chinese courtyard (just like the ones I visited)...

Technically it was a marvel, I used to read the record jacket over and over, savoring the details on the building of the San Pablo and replication of the engine room.

I am 55, and I shall never forget this film. I hope others, one day, can appreciate it as one of the greats. Till then, the music and imagery haunts...

Thanks Again

Mark Hamilton

_____________________________________

Date: Wed, 03 Jan 2007 15:02:37 PM
From: Craig in NJ
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Charles Robinson (Ensign Bordelles) Obituary...

Hi Cris,

I did a little more research here and found the following obit on the Palm Springs, CA, Desert Sun website. I think this is very likely our man here, but not with 100% certainty, since there's no reference to his film work. Interesting to see he started out in my neck of the woods.

Best regards,

Craig in NJ

------------------------------

Robinson, Charles

Charles Knox Robinson, 74, of Palm Springs died July 22, 2006, at home of Parkinson's disease.

He was born April 13, 1932, to Charles Robinson II and Geraldine O'Loughlin in Orange, N.J.

He married Joan Calistri on May 7, 1960, in New York City.

A professional actor since the age of 10, he most recently appeared in the 2001 Palm Canyon Theatre Productions "Arsenic and Old Lace" and "The Man who came to Dinner." His life-long entertainment career included his talents as an award-winning playwright, singer, songwriter, musician, linguist and magician.

He founded the Torchlight Project and was a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Screen Actors Guild, AFTRA, Equity, Playwrights/Dramatists Guild and the Magic Castle.

He served in the Army from 1954 to 1962 as an aide-de-camp, translator and speech writer, attaining the rank of first lieutenant. He also served as a French and Russian language interpreter for the 1984 Olympics.

He is survived by two sisters, Toni Thalenberg of Annapolis, Md., and Judith Robinson of Hoboken, N.J.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Joan Calistri Robinson, in 2001.

A memorial service was held Aug. 13 at Wiefels & Son Chapel in Palm Springs.

Interment will be at Ocean View Cemetery in Staten Island, N.Y.

Wiefels & Son Funeral Directors of Palm Springs is in charge of arrangements.

Published in The Desert Sun on 8/16/2006.

------------------------------

Response - It's sad there was so little media notice taken on his passing away last summer. Hopefully he'll be mentioned at the Academy Awards February 25th. - CG

_____________________________________

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