The Sand Pebbles
Movie Message Board
(Although
individual responses are not
usually listed here, I do answer all email I
receive)
From: Steve D'Antonio, Steve D'Antonio Marine Consulting, Inc.
Date: February 10, 2024
Subject: RE: Roadshow DVD
Dear Catherine:
Thanks again for your assistance with the DVD set.
I recently made this tribute post, you might enjoy it.
Sincerely,
Steve D'Antonio
Steve D’Antonio Marine Consulting, Inc.
Fuel System Bleeding - Editorial - The Sand Pebbles
From: Andy C. Neilson, Co-founder & Creative Director, King & Country, Ltd.
Date: October 22, 2022
Subject: The Sand Pebbles Website
Dear Ms. Garcia,
Just over a week ago I discovered your late father’s excellent website about all aspects concerning the great ‘Sand Pebbles’ movie from 1966.
I well remember seeing and enjoying the film when I saw it first as a young schoolboy during my teenage years back in Scotland at that time.
Since then it has become one of my all-time, favourite movies and I have watched it on numerous occasions as well as reading the original novel on which the film is based.
Now, journey forward many decades to where I have lived and worked in for 45 years… the former British Crown Colony of Hong Kong.
Here the original film ‘San Pablo’ was constructed and the climactic battle scenes were filmed in the waters off Sai Kung.
Another reason for emailing you is that a few years ago my own company, KING & COUNTRY, produced a whole range of 1:30 scale, all-metal, hand-painted miniature figures based on the characters from this great movie.
My late brother Gordon Neilson, who worked with me at King & Country also built our own ‘toy soldier’ ‘Sand Pebbles’ gunboat heavily influenced by the movie.
Please find attached a number of photos of our handiwork for you to share with your audience should you wish.
If you require more information please let me know. In the meantime very best wishes and congratulations once more on a terrific website full of fascinating facts and fun details.
Andy C. Neilson
Co-founder & Creative Director
King & Country Ltd.
P.S. Please also see some of our current Sand Pebbles U.S. Navy sailors. I think your dad would have approved.
Andy
From: Richard Atkinson
Date: July 19, 2022
Subject: Passing of Joe Turkel
I’ve been viewing this site for years, but never contributed. Crispin Garcia did the world of Sand Pebbles fans a service, and I am indebted.
I write to note the passing of actor Joe Turkel on July 4. He died 13 months after Gavin MacLeod. These were two of the last three actors to be seen in the film. The other, of course, is Candice Bergen. May she have much longer time with us.
Rich Atkinson
Crescent, Oregon
From: John Reilly
Date: May 12, 2022
Subject: Reflections From A Distant Shore - The Sand Pebbles
This video I found on YouTube would be a good addition to The Sand Pebbles website.
https://youtu.be/-_wkQR3YvKY
Thanks for the keeping the site up.
Regards,
John
From: Jean-Maurice Tremblay
Date: May 3, 2022
Subject: potential Terpning to add
(Mr. Tremblay had sent along poster artwork for The Comancheros (1961) by Howard Terpning, the artist that did the artwork for The Sand Pebbles poster. I expressed doubts because it was not on the list provided by Terpning's family.)
His response:
"Hi,
From the same period, he did Devil at 4 o'clock & Diamond Head.... the smaller characters at the lower end are quite similar... I also had doubts but this is a clue for me.
Regards,
JMT"
From: Geoff Toole
Date: April 12, 2022
To: Crispin Garcia (Catherine)
Subject: REISSUE - The Sand Pebbles Soundtrack
Catherine, I hope this note finds you and your family doing well. Today, Intrada reissued the 2 CD of The Sand Pebbles soundtrack. I know your Dad posted a link to Intrada when it first came out in 2011. This new issue includes some new tracks, the original Overture as the opening of the first CD, and the Repel Borders track in full stereo. I thought you might be interested. All my best to you as always.
Geoff Toole
(Further info from Geoff after I questioned the differences)
Hi Cat...hope you are well...the changes are subtle in the reissue...the following is some information from Intrada.
I purchased the reissue and I do like that the Overture Goldsmith preferred now opens the soundtrack. The other overture comes up in the middle of the program.
I hope this helps a little....
Geoff
This is a slightly updated version of their 2011 release, with two tracks swapped in location and technical issues addressed. Further info from Roger (at Intrada):
"Sand Pebbles will be back in stock. For those astute observers, everything will look the same except the volume number. Since the album was initially released so long ago we're in a better position to address some anomalies in the recording we couldn't previously. So there's wow removed among other things. Nothing to rush out an repurchase unless you were bothered by it. Perfection is a journey, not a destination"
&
"Also to let you know the Sand Pebbles will be back in stock this afternoon. We did a slight bit of resequencing as well. Since Goldsmith preferred his original version of the Overture (which is how he opened the LP program and now with the wow removed we moved that to the opening of the album."
From: Steven Bryson
Date: Saturday, January 8, 2022 at 2:57pm
To: Crispin Garcia (Catherine)
Subject: The Sand Pebbles Motion Picture Website
Hello Ms. Garcia,
I am so sorry to read of the passing of your father, Crispin Garcia. I hadn't been checking The Sand Pebbles Motion Picture Website as often as I had in the past, as my focus had been diverted by old Hudson cars.
I had corresponded with your father several times, going back to early 1998. I was (and still am) so appreciative of his creating the website. The Sand Pebbles is one of my favorite movies, and led to my joining two groups associated with the U.S. gunboats in China, The Yangtze River Patrol Association (YRPA) and the South China Patrol Asiatic Fleet (SCPAF). These groups were made up primarily of U.S. Navy personnel who had serve in the gunboats, along with others (like me) who were interested in the subject.
It is obvious that the website was a labor of love for your father. I have always been amazed at the wealth of information he posted, and am grateful for your plans to keep the website up and running. I am a dinosaur when it comes to computers and technology, but if I can be of any assistance, let me know.
Today I was looking at a CD-ROM your father sent me several years ago. It made me think of something else that he had sent me - a t-shirt with a TSP montage on the front. If I remember correctly, he said that one of his daughters (you, perhaps?) had made several of the t-shirts. I have only worn it a few times, as I didn't want it to deteriorate.
Again, I am sorry for the loss of your father. I enjoyed corresponding with him, and wish I had got to know him better.
Take care, and have a good weekend,
Steve Bryson
P.S. I am attaching a couple photos that you may want to add to the website.
From: Joe Jordan
Date: Tuesday, Apr 16, 2019 at 4:04 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: The Sand Pebbles
Mr. Garcia,
A friend referred me to your website pertaining to The Sand Pebbles. I
am amazed at the amount of information it contains. You've done a great
job!
Two years ago, my book, Robert Wise: The Motion Pictures, was
published. I had the opportunity to interview two people who spent a
significant amount of time on the set of the film: Neile Adams McQueen
and Gavin MacLeod. In fact, Mr. MacLeod contributed the book's foreword.
At present, I am working on the second edition, which will contain
previously unpublished interviews. In the meantime, I was wondering if
you would be willing to mention my book on your website. Would you be
willing to accept a complimentary copy? For more information about the
first edition, please visit the following link:
http://www.cinemaretro.com/index.php?/archives/9686-BOOK-REVIEW-ROBERT-WISE-THE-MOTION-PICTURES-BY-JOE-JORDAN.html
Thanks,
Joe Jordan
_____________________________________
From: Jim O'Bryan
Date: Sunday, Mar 3, 2019 at 2:44 AM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: The Sand Pebbles Website
Mr. Garcia,
I am happy to have just discovered The Sand Pebbles website, and I am
very impressed with the thoroughness and detail of the contents.
I expect to spend many hours exploring the info. As a high school
student, I worked at the Wilshire Theater theater in Dallas during The
Sand Pebbles reserved seat roadshow run there. I discovered the
website while searching hoping to find out how long it played in that
theater. I seem to remember it running for at least 27 weeks, but
I think it was even longer. Needless to say, the other employees
and I saw the entire movie so many times we could almost recite every
line, from "Got orders?" to "What the hell happened?"
It is an epic film that deserves to be honored even today, more than
fifty years later. Thank you so much for your efforts.
Thanks and regards,
Jim O'Bryan
_____________________________________
From: Michael Proulx
Date: Monday, Jan 14, 2019 at 6:40 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Sand Pebbles Items
Hello Mr. Garcia,
Congratulations on an excellent website. I wrote you once before many
years ago on a minor item. I thought you might find the
information below of interest. By the way, all the following has
been found in trolling the Internet. I have no first hand
knowledge nor any contacts even remotely connected to the movie.
Under Cast Obituaries you may want to include the following (gleaned from IMDb and other sites);
Marayat Andriane (Maily) died on June 12, 2005
Thomas (Tom) H. Middleton (Jennings) died on Sept 19, 2010
Shepherd Sanders (Perna) died on Sept 14, 2016
Loren Janes (Coleman) died on June 24, 2017
Glenn Wilder (Waldron) died on July 7, 2017
Not many of the old shipmates left. While some, like Loren Janes,
were uncredited in the actual film, their names appear as cast members
in print elsewhere. Further to Loren Janes, you might be
interested in this brief YouTube video where he makes mention of a
heartwarming incident involving Steve McQueen outside of the filming of
the movie;
https://youtu.be/e8dBebROrHw
Also, while trolling elsewhere, I happened upon the following article
from the South China Morning Post written in 2016 commemorating the
film's 50th anniversary. I know it may be one of many such
commemorations but, well, it's the South China Morning Post(!) I think
you may find it an entertaining and interesting read.
https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/film-tv/article/1935713/when-steve-mcqueen-was-talk-town-hong-kong
Many thanks for a great site in support of the most iconic movie of its genre.
_____________________________________
From: Don Whistance
Date: Thu, Feb 1, 2018 at 12:45 AM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: The white building!! (reference email January 31 2018)
_____________________________________
From: Don Whistance
Date: Wed, Jan 31, 2018 at 3:46 AM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Suggest the white building area was the “crowd base” where everyone met before going to film in Tamsui...
Here they would get into costume/make up etc...so can you ask your
message board if anyone knew where the ‘Crowd Base’ was located, please?
_____________________________________
From: Don Whistance
Date: Wed, Jan 24, 2018 5:21 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Re: Bade Pond Ecological Park - thank you!
Crispin,
Thank you for posting my thread.
James K Smith will need to look at my updated website as the ‘elephant
sculpture’ scene was found via Facebook Group: ‘Remembering Taiwan’ and
is at Ben-Yuan Lin Family Mansion And Gardens at 9, Ximen Street before
he visits Taiwan in April 2018!!
http://stevemcqueen-justclickhere.com/links.htm
_____________________________________
From: James K Smith
Date: Mon, Jan 22, 2018 9:19 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Sand Pebbles Filming Location Question
Mr. Garcia-
Great TSP index and message board archive. I grew up as an American
ex-pat on Taiwan 1971-1979 and toured many of the location filmed in
and around Tamshui throughout my stay. I was never able to locate the
large stone elephant that Holman and Miss Eckert visit while spending
time together.
Any insight you have on that scene would be appreciated as I am revisiting Taiwan in April.
Thank you.
Regards,
J. Smith
Houston,Texas
Reponse:
As luck would have it this same question was posed by Don Whistance.
Anyone with information please contact me.
_____________________________________
From: Don Whistance
Date: Mon, Jan 22, 2018 10:04 AM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Bade Pond Ecological Park - thank you
Crispin,
Can you ask on your superb message board forum about the ‘elephant sculpture’ scene, please?
Response:
Of course, no problem.
If anyone has information related to the elephant statue featured in the movie please let me know.
_____________________________________
From: Don Whistance
Date: Mon, Jan 22, 2018 4:23 AM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Location of this scene too, please!
Response:
Sorry I can't answer definitively.
Most likely answer is Taipei City in Taiwan.
I would guess either Bade Pond or Taipei Botanical Garden.
_____________________________________
From: Christian Addicott
Date: Tue, Jan 17, 2017 9:16 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Steve McQueen - The Sand Pebbles
Hello, I am Christian with Friends of Steve McQueen Car show at Boys
Republic in Chino Hills, CA. We put on a car show every year and title
it after one of McQueen's movies, this year is the Sand Pebbles, it is
June 4th 2017 with the dinner the night before on the 3rd. The Event is
to raise funds for Boys Republic which Steve attended, Chad (Steve's
son) chairs the event, this year we have added ships, steam and
electric. I have managed to get the static display replica of the San
Pablo from SS Lane Victory, I would like to have a working model of one
also. Are you aware of one in southern California? If so can you
forward my info to them or I can contact them. Is it possible for you
also to put this event out on your website? Might be a few people
interested in going. Last year we had just over 10,000 in attendence.
If you have further questions feel free to contact me.
Christian.
www.stevemcqueencarshow.com
christian@stevemcqueencarshow.com
909-821-1673
_____________________________________
From: James Sherlock
To: Crispin Garcia
Date: Tuesday, January 17, 2017 2:05 PM
Subject: RE: The Sand Pebbles material ....
Hi Crispin,
I hope this finds you well!
It all looks wonderful, thank you very much!
Other material on "The Sand Pebbles" I have includes a 40" x 6" Banner
(with the Title and Outline of the San Pablo), a Complete U.S.
(European printed) 16" x 20" Deluxe Photobusta Set, and the Deluxe 11"
x 14" Set of 16 Cards.
If there is anything above you would like to add to your wonderful
"Sand Pebbles" site please let me know and I'll have it scanned and
send it to you.
All else I have, including the NYC Subway poster, the U.S. 60" x 40"
poster, the U.S. 3-Sheet poster, the "Sounds of the Making a Motion
Picture" LP, etc, you seem to have.
The Sand Pebbles premiered in a 70MM Roadshow engagement in Australia
at The Esquire Theatre in Melbourne on Thursday the 13th of July, 1967,
and ran until Wednesday the 1st of November, 1967. It then followed, in
a slightly shorter non Roadshow version, into suburban, country and
Drive-In Theatres.
You may also be interested to know that I worked with Richard
Attenborough back around 1972 on the Australian national premiere of
"Young Winston," and that I have fond memories of him telling me
stories on the making of "The Sand Pebbles" and his friendship with
Steve McQueen, etc. Back then "The Sand Pebbles" was still very fresh
in my memory, it was still doing the rounds and rereleases. He also
spoke about "The Great Escape," "Doctor Dolittle" and "10 Rillington
Place" (which I also worked on here).
When I get a moment I will write it down and send it over also.
Very best wishes,
James.
_____________________________________
From: James Sherlock
To: Crispin Garcia
Date: Wed, January 11, 2017 4:21 PM
Subject: The Sand Pebbles material ....
Dear Crispin,
I hope this finds you well and very best of wishes for the New Year!
My sincere apologies for the delay in getting back to you, I have
finally been able to have THE SAND PEBBLES material scanned and it is
ready to send through to you.
As I previously mentioned, I was starting out in the industry here as
an assistant publicist for Fox back in the '60s and I remember the
release of THE SAND PEBBLES very well, I worked on many hundreds of
films over the years and THE SAND PEBBLES remains one of my all time
favourites.
Please let me know if it is okay to send you the images on this email
address.
I have put the details on every image, including page numbers for the
British Pressbook.
I will also send you the original release details and dates of THE SAND
PEBBLES, it was a big 70MM release.
I have recommended your spectacular website on my radio shows around
Australia numerous time and have had an outstanding response every time.
Thank you again Crispin and I hope you like the material when I send it
through.
Most respectfully yours, always,
James Sherlock:
Film Historian, Writer, Presenter.
-----------------------
Response - Thank you so much. A new section incorporating these materials has been created on the website - click here.
_____________________________________
From: Lee Edwards
To: Crispin Garcia
Date: Tue, September 6, 2016 10:59 PM
Subject: 1918 3" deck gun USS San Pablo
I am not sure this is the place to be but I wanted to show a couple of
pictures of the 1918 3" deck gun that I restored. It is the same model
that is mounted on the bow of the San Pablo (?) used in the movie.
Might be handy for anyone trying to reproduce an accurate model of the
boat.
The gun came from a friend of mine that had collected cannons since
WWII. When he passed away I was able to broker a deal for the estate
dispersing the collection. As a commission I picked this very unique
gun. With a little bit of research I found that this model was used in
the movie. I will display it at various military meets but otherwise
will keep it at my home. Keep in mind this is only a hobby but it also
my addiction. Helps to keep our history alive.
Thanks, Lee
Lee Edwards
President
Edwards Heat Treating
642 McCormick Street
San Leandro, Ca 94577
-----------------------
Response: Mr. Edwards,
Wow! What an amazing restoration.
I appreciate the time you took to share your story, these pictures and
thinking of the Sand Pebbles website.
Thanks and best regards,
Crispin
_____________________________________
From: Evan Griffiths
To: Crispin Garcia
Date: Tue, August 23, 2016 12:51 PM
Subject: The Sand Pebbles Hull (322)
Dear Sir: In 1967 with my family we visited the Fox Studios in
California. And on one of the back lots we were told a small ship
berthed in a lagoon there was a model of the San Pablo. I am attaching
a picture which I took while there. Can you identify this hull as
being associated with that picture ( The Sand Pebbles)? May I look
forward to your reply?
Thank you.
Evan Griffiths
-----------------------
Response: Mr. Griffiths,
Thank you for the interesting photo. I have attached a link to a photo
of the actual San Pablo in construction.
http://www.thesandpebbles.com/san_pablo/sanpab3.jpg
The model you enjoyed and photographed is a mediocre approximation of
the actual ship.
The San Pablo had one smoke stack not two. There is no such number as
322 for a Navy gunboat.
The forward gun is quite different from the 3 inch gun on the San
Pablo. The list goes on...
However that said the model you viewed is an interesting curiosity.
Thanks for writing.
Best regards,
Crispin
_____________________________________
From: Mauricio Arbulú
To: Crispin Garcia
Date: Friday, July 8, 2016 7:21 PM
Subject: The Sand Pebbles - Jake and Shirley
Hello Crispin:
My name is Mauricio Arbulú, I am from Lima, Perú, South America. I am a
great fan of the film "The Sand Pebbles" and I've visited your website
and it is awesome!
The best of the film is the romance between Jake Holman and Shirley
Eckhert. In your opinion Cris, Do you think that Jake was really in
love with Shirley? I am asking you this because Jake says to Shirley in
the kiss scene that things work out between them.
Well, I am glad to get to know you by this way and I am waiting for
your answer.
Greetings
Mauricio
_____________________________________
From: John Nyman
Date: Thursday, February 5, 2015 6:45 PM
Subject: Remembering...
To: Crispin Garcia
I saw Sand Pebbles in 1967. I made up my mind while I was watching it
that I was going to join the Navy.
Does anyone remember what Chief.Wellbeck's rating was? I think he was a
Quartermaster which is a job that requires skills navigation and visual
communication (semaphore flashpoint and flashing light).
_____________________________________
From: Schmeling, Mark
Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2015 1:44 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: SAND PEBBLES - 2016
Greetings Webmaster,
I return to your site time and again, and just last night (January 28,
2015) I sat back and consumed the TCM presentation of "The Sand
Pebbles." I saw the roadshow version in Detroit (twice), at the Music
Hall Theater (where a steady parade of Cinerama releases preceded this
premiere, and where the curved Cinerama screen was still in place), and
from what I gathered at your site, I was the beneficiary of the fabled
test audience print that found its way to Detroit.
It is amusing to me that Richard Schickel and other reviewers of
that period, found the film too long, especially in an era when DeMille
and Lean and Stevens, among others, had told their stories without
apparent concern for elapsed time. It seemed to me that a roadshow
feature was always a richer experience for the time it took for the
story to unfold to those in reserved seats. But that's me.
My question is about the upcoming 50th anniversary of the film, and if
you have heard anything about a new theatrical print and release in
2016?
Cheers,
Mark Schmeling
_____________________________________
From: Eric Galati
Date: Thursday, January 29, 2015 12:35 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: The Sand Pebbles...
Dear Mister Garcia,
Thank you for your “The Sand Pebbles” web site. I just came across it
to-day after viewing the film yesterday evening here in New York on
Turner Classic Movies. It must have been the cut version because it was
just a little over three hours,unusual for Turner Classic Movies,at
least I believe so,because they are supposed to transmit uncut films.
Anyway back in either 2008 or 2009 I saw a 70 millimeter print at the
great art house cinema of Manhattan, The Walter Reade Theater. Would
this have been the one hundred ninety-six minute version, now called
Roadshow? Anyway,magnificent on the big screen.
One important question: I discovered about ten minutes ago on the
Internet Movie Database that a print was submitted to the United
Kingdom which ran four hours and three minutes (4 hours 3 minutes = 243
minutes). It was submitted to the British Board Of Film Classification
formerly British Board Of Film Censors at this cut. Does this exist?
Did the censors actually in this case with the complicity of Twentieth
Century Fox cut 1 hour and 14 minutes (74 minutes) of film which was
intended for Britain and perhaps other European countries? What do you
know of this artistic tragedy,all too often destruction of a cinema
creation,which is now occurring sadly,and has been for years in
literature?
Once again,very grateful for your site.
God Bless,
Eric Galati
_____________________________________
From: Lawrence A. De Graw
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2014 08:25 AM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: The Sand Pebbles...
Thank you, Webmaster, for an excellent, EXcellent compilation job on
your Sand Pebbles site! I've been wanting to drop you a line for some
time just to let you know just how much the site is actually
appreciated. It has now developed into a treasure trove of data and
relevant info for all of us "Sand Pebbles" on the outside looking in,
and I daresay you might be quite surprised to find out just how many of
us there are out here who just loved the film. Please come check us out
on our full FB page at "The Sand Pebbles Appreciation Society", at
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2231453728/ -- if you're not already
one of the group members. Just thought you should know we are indeed
out here --so come on over and join us so we can welcome you aboard!
Lawrence A. De Graw
Senior Project Technical Writer
Naval Historian
Ocala, FL
_____________________________________
From: Bill Bennett
Sent: Saturday, December 14, 2013 20:58 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: The Sand Pebbles...
Hi,
We exchanged emails years ago and I often think about my day aboard the
SP. Steve's son was just a small boy then, and now the son's son just
recently appeared in a TV movie. I will be turning 87 in a few months
and that day on the San Pablo was a highlight of my career.
Happy Holidays, Bill
_____________________________________
From: Edward Boyce
Sent: Sunday, June 23, 2013 9:25 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: The Sand Pebbles...
I was stationed at Taipei in the USAF in 1965 and 1966 when The Sand
Pebbles was filmed. The cast and crew of the movie could regularly be
seen in our NCO clubs and the Officers club. I remember seeing Steve
McQueen and his wife at the Navy Club one night and once I actually sat
with my back to Steve McQueen's back. All the top cast members were
eating at Club 63 that night. It was quite a thrill to be in the same
room as those guys, especially Steve McQueen. I just wish I had taken
pictures but did not. Steve McQueen's stand-in became quite a regular
at Club 63. For several Sundays he would come to the club and show us
outtakes of his movies and talk about his various movie rolls. He was
quite interesting and was a very likable person. I remember several of
the GIs, especially the sailors, taking leave to be extras in the
movie. By the time it came out I had been discharged from the USAF and
went to see it as soon as it opened. I was not disappointed. I have
seen it several times since and it is one of my favorite movies.
This is my personal memory of a special event that happened in a very
special time in my life.
Ed
_____________________________________
From: Richard Arnold
Sent: Friday, March 8, 2013 3:59 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: The Sand Pebbles...
Hi Crispin,
I saw this movie for the first time while I was in the Navy in 1967 or
1968. As I remember it the opening scene was a sunrise in Shanghai
harbor and the music got louder as the sun rose and the harbor came to
life. I rented the DVD version and that wasn’t the opening scene. Did
the movie get changed? It has been a lot of years so perhaps I am
mistaken and that scene was from another movie.
Thanks for you reply.
Richard
------------------------------------------
Response - Richard, you may have been fortunate enough to have
seen
the audience test cut version of this film. I can't say for sure.
http://www.thesandpebbles.com/roadshow_audience/roadshow_audience.html
_____________________________________
From: John Figuerres
Sent: Saturday, December 29, 2012 4:31 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: The Sand Pebbles...
Good web site. I just finished reading the book and it has been one of
my favorite movies.
Aloha
John M. Figuerres
CAPT, USN
_____________________________________
From: Jack O'Brien
Sent: Saturday, June 16, 2012 5:57 AM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: The Sand Pebbles - Movie poster, Tom Jung
Hello,
I have been working on a legacy project for Tom Jung and came across
the ![attached poster]()
- It is one of my favorite from the film and is very unique - Both the
Tom Jung artwork and the Howard Terpning art are shown but in separate
parts of the poster.......To me it seems that combining the two
together was a bit problematic.
In any case just thought that it might belong up on the website - Which
is fantastic by the way!
Regards,
Jack
_____________________________________
From: Christophe Morin
Sent: Sunday, March 25, 2012 3:28 AM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: The Sand Pebbles...
My french website to the memories of the Great Steve McQueen:
http://morinos.macqueen.free.fr
Christophe
_____________________________________
From: Larry Hull
Sent: Sunday, January 22, 2012 9:46 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Great Web site
The only thing I would like to see added is where this music can be
bought and down loaded. Again, a very well done web page!!
Thanks
_____________________________________
From: Mark Schmeling
Date: Wednesday, January 11, 2012 9:41 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: The Sand Pebbles...
Dear Crispin,
I keep coming back to your site as one who must have seen the 200
minute roadshow engagement print at the Music Hall theater in Detroit.
I too recall the DINNER WITH SHIRLEY scene, but I remember quite
vividly a still from that scene , not among the Italian lobby cards,
but on the back cover of the paperback edition of the novel released to
coincide with the film. I had cut it out and taped it to the inside of
my school locker at one point in time. Nice job with this website.
Cheers,
Mark Schmeling
Berkley, Michigan USA
_____________________________________
From: Haristas
Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2011 8:49 AM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: 2-CD Sand Pebbles
Hi Cris,
It's been a while since I've talked to you, but I'm still here and
still a big SAND PEBBLES fan. Just getting ready to watch the movie
again for its 45th anniversary and comes this news:
http://store.intrada.com/s.nl/it.A/id.7333/.f
I also found this great web page with interesting stuff (Emil Kosa Jr.
reference) you might like to look at:
http://nzpetesmatteshot.blogspot.com/2011/07/salute-to-20th-century-fox-special.html
Rory
_____________________________________
From: Paul Rossen
Sent: Monday, December 12, 2011 7:37 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Goldsmith's music to TSP
Hi Cris,
Hope you are well and having a great Holiday Season!
Just in case you didn't know Intrada Records has just released
Goldsmith's great score to TSP. The Varese release is sold out and out
of print (except for Ebay!!!!).
Thus, this is a chance for new 'fan's to purchase the score at a
reasonable cost.
Best Regards,
Paul
-----------------------------------------
INTRADA Presents:
THE SAND PEBBLES
Music Composed and Conducted by JERRY GOLDSMITH
INTRADA MAF 7116
The 1966 20th Century Fox film The Sand Pebbles features one of Jerry
Goldsmith's most significant scores. Just five years into his film
career and already a double Academy-award nominee, the opportunity came
to him as "an accident" when Alex North dropped out. Goldsmith was
slated to score MGM's Grand Prix, but Fox stole him away. Goldsmith
constructed his score around two love themes one "American" (which
became a much-recorded popular song with lyrics by Leslie Bricusse,
"And We Were Lovers") and one "Chinese." In addition to the strong love
themes, Goldsmith crafted a score featuring a dramatic infusion of
military, action, and Asian influences, leading to a powerful work that
remains one of his finest, even considering the decades of Goldsmith's
film scoring that succeeded it.
Intrada presents the definitive release of The Sand Pebbles, including
alternates in this comprehensive 2-CD set. The process of this
restoration began with recalling the 2 24-track protection masters made
from the original 35mm multi-track magnetic elements in the 1990s.
Retransferred at 96k/24 bit resolution, this facilitated the repair of
each separate track of audio and the finessing of balance, equalization
and stereo steering to bring out the dynamic brilliance of the Fox
scoring stage and the studio orchestra's consummate performance under
the exacting baton of Lionel Newman. The original 1966 album master
thankfully provided a stereo version of the cue "Repel Boarders," which
survived in the Fox material only as a monaural dub. Previously
unreleased cues fill out the first-ever complete presentation of the
score on Disc 1, while a second disc features album versions,
alternates and six pieces of period source music recorded for the film.
The Sand Pebbles tells the story of Jake Holman's (Steve McQueen)
service on board the San Pablo, an American gunboat patrolling the
Yangtze River in 1926, during a time in which China was "ravaged from
within by corrupt warlords, oppressed from without by the great world
powers, a country of factions trying to unite to become a nation
through revolution."
INTRADA MAF 7116
Retail Price: $24.99
For track listing and sound samples, please visit:
http://store.intrada.com/s.nl/it.A/id.7333/.f
_____________________________________
To: Crispin Garcia
Date: Thursday, September 15, 2011 2:18 PM
From: Crystal Ladybug
Subject: The Sand Pebbles
Hello,
You have a wonderful and informative site on The Sand Pebbles! I had a
fun and intriguing time browsing through it!
I was curious as to whether or not you had any additional information
on Simon Oakland, who played Stawski? My friend Lucky Ladybug and I
have an under-construction tribute website for Simon, but we've found
that
information and anecdotes are hard to come by.
We were also curious as to whether or not you'd like to affiliate to
our site. If not, could we get your permission to link to your site
when we make our Links section?
Thanks for your time!
Sincerely,
Crystal Rose
-------------------------
The
Unofficial Simon Oakland Tribute
Companion
Blog: From the Desks of the INS: In Honor of Simon Oakland
_____________________________________
From: John Hess
Sent: Thursday, September 08, 2011 1:46 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: RE: The Sand Pebbles
Thanks for the response Crispin. I heard about it after watching TSP on
the Fox Movie Channel in an interview with someone whom I forget. This
person indicated the alternate ending was filmed but not used which is
why I thought it might exist and hoped to view someday. Do you know if
a version exists which includes the deleted scenes? I didn't get to see
all of it on Fox but did catch some of them and would like to see the
beginning when Jake is on the USS Texas.
Sounds like your information indicates this was rumor only and Jake
shall forever remain in China!
Appreciate you clearing this up…
Regards,
John
------------------------------------------
Response - While I still think the person stating that an
alternate
ending was shot is hearsay I am not the definitive expert on the film
since I've never had access to the movie files which are maintained at
the UCLA Film and Television Archive department in California. I am
just going by everything I've ever heard or read about the film's
production. The China Light ending was shot at the Fox Ranch in Malibu
and were some of the final scenes to be filmed. Seeing is believing and
other than the person you mentioned no one else I know has seen this
alternate ending. If you own the 2007 DVD 2-disc set which contains the
theatrical and roadshow versions then you have all of the scenes
presently available to the public. The scenes deleted from the 200
minute audience test version (if they still exist and were not
destroyed) should be in the archive vaults at UCLA. This would include
the missing USS Texas introduction scene.
Thanks for writing back to let me know about the Fox person claiming an
alternate ending was filmed.
_____________________________________
From: John Hess
Sent: Wednesday, September 07, 2011 11:39 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Re: The Sand Pebbles
Hello,
I am really pleased to have found your website and thank you. The Sand
Pebbles is one of my favorite movies and I am particularly interested
in the deleted scenes. I understand an ending was filmed where Jake
Holman lives and makes it back to the ship (to appease Steve McQueen)
but that is wasn't used to create a more powerful ending. Do you know
if this alternate ending exists and is available to view? I would love
to see it and think Jake at least lives one time when watching the
movie!
Thanks.
John
------------------------------------------
Response - Thanks for your kind words. The story of an
alternate
ending to the Sand Pebbles has circulated on the internet for many
years possibly fueled by a passage in Casey St. Charnez’s book “The
Complete Films of Steve McQueen”, Citadel Press 1992.
“McQueen and Wise differ often on how a scene should be shot, and Wise
acquiesces by shooting two versions of the scenes in question. Wise's
editorial sense prevails and none of McQueen's versions end up in the
final print. At least, however, there is a final print, which many
Jeremiahs along the way have predicted there would not be.”
In the past I’ve talked to a close personal aide to Robert Wise when he
was living and there was never any discussion regarding an alternate
ending created to please Steve McQueen. Although it is a known fact
that McQueen was unhappy with the ending there was never any concession
by Wise to alter the story as it would have been a discredit to the
acclaimed novel the movie was based on. Wise would have been very firm
on this particular point. I don’t expect our discussion here to stop
the rumors of an alternate ending, people will believe what they like.
_____________________________________
From: Michael Tomkins
Sent: Sunday, August 07, 2011 3:55 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Re: The San Pablo's builder -- a question answered
Hi Crispin
Thanks for sharing the info with your readers. It seems I've since
answered my next question, thanks again to your site. You have a video
showing the San Pablo under construction, and it very clearly shows a
shed marked "Cheoy Lee" in the background. They're probably the
best-known Hong Kong-based shipbuilder (http://www.cheoylee.com),
established in 1870, and their yard was located in Penny's Bay, Lantau
Island from the 1930s until 2001, when they moved their operations to
mainland China. The Hong Kong Government purchased their yard, and
after decontaminating the land, it was redeveloped to become Hong Kong
Disneyland, so there's every chance the slipway on which San Pablo sat
is now part of the Disney park.
I'd infer from the video that the San Pablo was either built by Cheoy
Lee (perhaps under contract from Vaughan and Yung?), or that the
latter's yard was located immediately adjacent to Cheoy Lee's in
Penny's Bay. I can't so far find any confirmation either way -- it
seems like every time I answer one question, I turn up another. ;-)
It might be interesting to contact Cheoy Lee themselves, or the
members of their owners' association
(http://www.cheoyleeassociation.com/),
and see whether they can
provide any further information on Vaughan and Yung, or the San
Pablo's construction. The yard number mentioned in the video -- hull
287 -- might be helpful in that cause, although I don't *think* it's a
Cheoy Lee yard number, as I've read that they started their numbering
scheme in the 1940s, and were already beyond the thousand mark by the
early 60s.
http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthread.php?81293-Cheoy-Lee-Mystery&s=af16c7820976210142e61d193fd31b22
And there's one further interesting point in the thread I just linked
-- a post from October 2008 specifically states that the San Pablo was
built by Cheoy Lee, although the poster may just be guessing based on
having seen the same video linked from your site. You can see what's
likely the same Cheoy Lee shed in his picture that appears in your
video, though...
Cheers
Michael
_____________________________________
From: Michael Tomkins
Sent: Thursday, August 04, 2011 8:03 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: The San Pablo's builder -- a question answered
Dear Crispin
The Sand Pebbles was a topic over a family dinner tonight, and a
comment from my father-in-law launched me on a brief quest to learn
more about the film, and the San Pablo. I quickly discovered your
excellent site, which answered most of our questions, but also raised
another.
Way back in May 1999, a reader of your site by the name of
"Navionflyr" posed the question -- what happened to "Vaughn &
Jung
Engineering Ltd.", the Hong Kong-based builder of the San Pablo prop.
A quick Google, as it did for Navionflyr twelve years ago, turned up
almost nothing. I grew up in Hong Kong myself, and had never heard of
the company, but made a guess that the spelling was incorrect -- and
it turned out to be the case.
The company name was actually "VAUGHAN AND YUNG ENGINEERING COMPANY
LIMITED", and according to a China-based corporate information
website, they continued in business until June 13th, 1987. The site's
in Chinese, but Google Translate does a pretty good job with it.
http://www.corptrading.net/hktool/cps.jsp?key=8630-315742e4
English-language confirmation is available from the Hong Kong
Government's Companies Registry. They list Vaughan and Yung -- company
registry number 009058 -- as being incorporated on July 24th, 1963,
and also confirm that it was dissolved on June 13th, 1987:
http://www.icris.cr.gov.hk/csci/login_i.do?loginType=iguest&username=iguest
...and MaritimeDatabase.com confirms that Vaughan and Yung was a
shipbuilder:
http://www.maritime-database.com/company.php?cid=306913
...and that's where the trail dries up. I'd be interested to know
where Vaughan and Yung's yards were located, but it's beyond my Google
skills, at least for the moment. Perhaps somebody else will answer
that question for me, a decade from now. At the least, I've hopefully
put a question to rest for somebody else, even if Navionflyr may have
long since forgotten their own question. ;-)
Kind regards
Michael R. Tomkins
_____________________________________
From: Ian Elliot
Sent: Tuesday, July 5, 2011 5:48 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Marayat Andriane interview
Hi Crispin. I guessing you've probably caught this already, but just in
case... (it's in French, I think I understand about every third word!)
Cheers, Ian Elliot
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj5t-HKupp0
_____________________________________
From: Dennis Noble
Sent: Friday, May 06, 2011 9:43 AM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Research material on Richard McKenna
Crispin,
Wonder if you could put this on your Sand Pebbles Site:
I have just finished with the first phase of researching Richard
McKenna's life. Would like to point out to anyone interested in the
author of The Sand Pebbles the marvelous research material available at
the library of the Richard McKenna Charter High School in Mountain
Home, Idaho. The even have the shooting script for the movie, plus many
other items and especially letters McKenna wrote. It is a treasure
trove. Plus the library is a wonderful place to work. Thanks.
Dr. Dennis L. Noble
_____________________________________
From: Jeff Cordell
Sent: Tuesday, 19 Apr 2011 5:24 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Sand Pebbles
Just in case you are interested. IMFdb
is a website documenting the types of firearms used in movies,
television, etc. Here is the link to the page for the Sand Pebbles. I'm
one of the site moderators and did a lot of the work on this page.
http://www.imfdb.org/wiki/The_Sand_Pebbles
Jeff Cordell
------------------------------------------
Response - A great resource for not only Sand Pebbles fans but
for many other films as well. Thanks for sharing!
_____________________________________
From: Aaron Hofius
Sent: Monday, April 11, 2011 3:26 PM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Ralph Bringewatt, Sand Pebbles
My grandfather, Ralph Bringewatt has one speaking line (when on the
dock as an evacuating American, he is asked "Where's Jameson" my
grandfather answers "He wouldn't come."). [Click
here for scene.]
He and a number of my aunts and uncles appear as extras in two scenes.
I'd love to know more about how Robert Wise chose the extras. My
grandparents were Lutheran missionaries in Taiwan at the time of the
movie and had no acting experience whatsoever. They enjoyed being in
the movie and talked about it until they passed away some years ago.
--
Rev. Aaron D. Hofius
Pastor
Cornerstone Presbyterian Church
P.O. Box 270208
St. Louis, MO 63127
------------------------------------------
Response - That's a great story! I wish I could help more with
the
answer on how the extras were selected for the movie but unfortunately
I can't. They were obviously well qualified for the roles. The answer
may lie in the UCLA Film and Television Archives where most of the
documentation regarding the film's production reside and something I do
not have access to.
_____________________________________
Past
years of the Sand Pebbles Movie Message Board are available below:
See all images here
- It is one of my favorite from the film and is very unique - Both the
Tom Jung artwork and the Howard Terpning art are shown but in separate
parts of the poster.......To me it seems that combining the two
together was a bit problematic.