The Sand Pebbles Movie Message Board (2002)

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

From: Tony Bray
Sent: Wednesday, December 18, 2002 7:11 PM
To: Cris Garcia
Subject: Sand Pebbles

I am the managing editor of TVNow (www.tv-now.com) and write syndicated entertainment columns. Just wanted to tell you how wonderful your site is for one of the best movies ever made.

Whenever I am asked by movies fans what content a site should include, I aim them at your place to see the real deal.

Tony Bray

Here is my review for the movie.

Steve McQueen stars as Machinist Mate 1st Class Jake Holman, newly assigned to an American gunboat that patrols the Yangtze River in China during a period of revolution and turmoil. By the time he and the crew are forced to confront the Chinese in order to save missionaries trapped up river, you will know more about the history of China during the 1920s than most people. This movie has so much to offer: Richard Attenborough as Frenchy, ready to die for the love of a prostitute; a 19-year-old Candice Bergen as a woman of God learning a new country, and man; Mako's superb turn as Po-han, the tortured Engine Room coolie; and Richard Crenna as the conflicted captain of the gunboat. But it's McQueen who steals the show in the performance of his life.
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From: hélène
Sent: Tuesday, November 19, 2002 8:01 AM
To: Cris Garcia
Subject: Congratulation

Hello !!!
My name is Helene and I'm from France. Congratulation for all the informations find on your website!
Thank you very much.

LN.
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From: Bill & Dorothy Bennett
Sent: Saturday, November 09, 2002 4:53 PM
To: Cris Garcia
Subject: Photos taken on board Sand Pebbles

Dear Mr. Garcia: I am a retired sailor and in 1966 it was my privilege to spend a day aboard the San Pablo while my ship was visiting Hong Kong. I have some black and white photos taken during some of the filming and would be happy to send copies of them to you but will need an address. My computer is not equipped to transmit photos. Needless to say the visit was a highlight of my naval career. It was arranged by Steve McQueen's makeup man (Mr. Acevedo). Me and Mr. Acevedo were stationed on a U.S. Navy ship in 1951. He left the Navy shortly after and years later our paths crossed in one of the clubs in the Hilton Hotel in Hong Kong. Best regards: Bill Bennett

PS Your web site is outstanding and it certainly brings back a lot of warm memories of that day I spend on board the SP.

(Editor's note - Bill's photos are now on the website under "Other Information")
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From: Dennis Smith
Sent: Friday, November 08, 2002 4:30 PM
To: Cris Garcia
Subject: Lt. Collins' Flag Day speech

Cris,
Do you know where I can find a copy of Lt. Collins' Flag Day speech. I'm a retired Naval Officer (24 years) and my 19 year old son is about to deploy to Kuwait with the Marines. That speech, while from a work of fiction is about the most real expression of duty I have ever heard.

Thanks,
Dennis Smith
CWO4 US Navy - Retired
(Editor's note - the speech text is now available on website)
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From: MACFARB&aol.com
Sent: Saturday, October 26, 2002 1:51 PM
To: Cris Garcia
Subject: Beulah Quo-"Madame Chunk"

Hi, I visit your site ever so often since I'm a big fan of the movie. I just read on alt.obituaries that Beulah Quo, who portrayed Madam Chunk in the film ("Wottsamallah you? You no likee chineee gurl?"), has passed away. I think she was 79. Thought you might like to know if you hadn't heard already. Thanks for your great web site.

Robert McClellan
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From: Derek Bousé
Sent: Tuesday, October 22, 2002 12:57 AM
To: Cris Garcia
Subject: Re: Sand Pebbles site

Hello Cris,

I was thinking about you the other day, when my DVD of THE SAND PEBBLES arrived. I will be using part of it in a class, but I have certainly enjoyed watching the entire thing, including the supplementary materials.

I re-assert that this is a beautiful and sadly under-appreciated film.

Cheers,
Derek
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From: Todd Wilkinson
Sent: Friday, October 18, 2002 11:34 AM
To: Cris Garcia
Subject: The Sand Pebbles...

Cris,
I just wanted to thank you for your wonderful site dedicated to one of my favorite movies...my father and I are both great fans of this movie, mostly due to my grandfather, who was stationed in China in the Second World War with the 14th Air Force -- The Sand Pebbles is one of his favorite movies, and he always commented about how realistic it was and how it brought back memories for him, even though he was not a "China Sailor" -- and it became a way that both my dad and I could relate to what he went through. I devoured his copy of the novel when I was in junior high back in the '80's, and it still sets on one of my bookshelves in a place of honour.

I truly think it is one of the best, if not the best, movie made about war and military life ever, period. Are the prints of the China Sailor uniforms available in book format?

Regards,
Todd Wilkinson
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From: Kay Eusepi
Sent: Thursday, October 17, 2002 9:14 AM
To: Cris Garcia
Subject: The past -

Cris:
I first saw Sand Pebbles many years ago and it left such an impact on me. Today, with the world situation as it is, I can't help but reflect on this movie again. It is frightening to say the least.

Thank you for maintaining the website. It allowed me to reference the movie to fellow workers (much younger than I).

Kay Eusepi
Allard Architects LLC Nashville, Tennessee
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From: Glynn Hoyle
Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2002 1:36 PM
To: Cris Garcia
Subject: mp3's

Cris,
Hi, my name is Glynn and I'm a great fan of the Sand Pebbles. I went to the site and downloaded some songs through Real Player, Jack Jones, Percy Faith, and Lionel Newman, however the original soundtrack from the movie by Lionel Newman was only in clips, I have a cd burner on my PC and was wondering if you could tell me where i could find this music on mp3, I've looked all over but haven't found any mp3's related to this music, or someone who knows how to convert Real Player music into wav, for burning.

Any help on this I would be grateful for.
Thanks, Glynn
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From: Rory Monteith
Sent: Monday, October 07, 2002 8:13 PM
To: Cris Garcia
Subject: Re: A question

Hi Cris,

That was a very interesting exchange of e-mails (about the missing elements of TSP), and a coincidence too. I remember that article in "The Perfect Vision" about the inside workings of Fox Video. It drove me crazy at the time because Joe Caporiccio revealed that Fox had lost PLANET OF THE APES' original 4-track MagOptical soundtrack masters. It started me on a nearly decade long writing campaign to Fox that they keep searching for those original stereo tracks. I also wanted Fox to do a Special Collector's Edition of PLANET on laserdisc, but we never got it. However, what Fox has done so far to restore PLANET on video has satisfied me for the moment. The original stereo tracks remain lost, but using the stereo masters of Goldsmith's score and dialogue and sound effects stems they have been able to reconstruct it. PLANET's picture on DVD is stunning, but again they screwed up the sound and the stereo doesn't have nearly the separation or directionalized dialogue it should have. I'm still writing to Fox to fix this, hopefully for a 5 Star Edition DVD.

As to the complete roadshow version of THE SAND PEBBLES, I'm with Mr. Harris -- you never know what Fox might have down in that salt mine in Kansas. Do you know what I'm talking about? That's where the elements of nearly every movie the studios made are stored. The cost of having people look for things, often in unmarked boxes, is enormous and unless the studio thinks it will turn a profit, they won't spend the money on it. But who knows? We may see a restored SAND PEBBLES sometime -- if we live long enough. I'm just very glad that the movie looks and sounds as good as it does on DVD. I was especially happy about the sound, which was very harsh at the high end on the letterboxed laserdisc. Do you have a surround system to listen to TSP's 4 track sound in Dolby Digital 4.0?

By the way, if you kept any back issues of "The Perfect Vision" you'll find a couple articles written by me in issues 11 and 14. I wrote about PLANET OF THE APES of course, but I never got around to THE SAND PEBBLES.

Rory
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From: Oliver Sackmann
Sent: Monday, October 07, 2002 1:35 PM
To: Cris Garcia
Subject: Well done !!!

Hello,

I just wanted to say what a wonderful and interesting achievement/site you have created.
I like this film very much and by accident I found your page, that was luck !

I wish you well,
Oliver / Cologne
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From: Rory Monteith
Sent: Wednesday, September 25, 2002 11:13 AM
To: Cris Garcia
Subject: The Sand Pebbles

Hi Cris,

I came across your site when I found it as a link on a Jerry Goldsmith site. I was surprised there was a website devoted to "The Sand Pebbles," but then maybe I shouldn't be. I've loved this movie ever since my father took me to see it in 1969. I was 10 years old then and I saw it on a double-feature with "Che!" As you can imagine that was one long night at the movie theatre. I barely remember "Che!" but "The Sand Pebbles" I never forgot. I've had an original U.S. 1-sheet poster for it framed and hanging in my living room for years, and I've taped it off TV, bought it on VHS, laserdisc, and DVD. I've also bought the soundtrack on CD in three different editions! I love the Jerry Goldsmith music. The DVD is wonderful and what a great surprise when I heard Richard Crenna's voice on the commentary track. I don't know why he wasn't credited. The commentary from everyone on the DVD is just great.

Anyway, I'm glad I've found your site, and I'll be visiting it often. I'm currently trying to find a copy of Richard McKenna's novel, as I've never read it!

I just got the complete score from Varese Sarabande. It is a joy to finally have the complete score. Too bad they didn't have the stereo tracks for "Rebel Boarders," but several years ago I got a bootleg CD recording of the original LP from Germany (Tsunami label), so I have that track in it's original recording. Anyway, it's all good.

I look forward to new things on your site.

Regards,
Rory Monteith
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From: Kevin Farrell
Sent: Monday, September 09, 2002 10:09 AM
To: Cris Garcia
Subject: Oscar nominations for The Sand Pebbles

Thank you for replying to my email. In browsing the website I came across the DVD cover. It may be a small point but the cover states The Sand Pebbles was nominated for 9 Oscars. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will be interested to learn of this since according to their records their membership awarded it only 8. For the record: Best Picture - Best Actor (McQueen of course)- Best Supporting Actor (Mako, not Attenborough, who won the Golden Globe anyway) - Best Cinematography - Best Art Direction - Best Sound - Best Film Editing - Best Music Score. You probably know all this already but being a Virgo I am a stickler for detail, and boring with it..Best wishes from one Sand Pebble to another.

Kevin Farrell
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From: Mr. Spalding
Sent: Friday, September 06, 2002 1:12 AM
To: Cris Garcia
Subject: Question about Sand Pebbles Plot

Dear Mr. Garcia,

This is a great site, and I am surprised there is such interest still around concerning this most remarkable film. I just have one question, though. Why would the San Pablo sail into a body of water where they knew they would be stuck for the whole winter? This seems to me to be a major hole in the plot created just in order to create the bad situations that followed. Anyway, I just wanted to put this question out there. If you have the time to e-mail me, then that would be fine. Thanks in advance,

Respectfully,
Tim Spalding
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From: Kevin Farrell
Sent: Thursday, September 05, 2002 8:04 AM
To: Cris Garcia
Subject: Robert Wise

I visited your Sand Pebbles website because I am a fan of director Robert Wise and I admire The Sand Pebbles. I have been endeavouring to write a critical study of Wise's film career for twenty years, without success. The Sand Pebbles is what I call a flawed masterpiece. It is one of Wise's best films, one of his personal favourites His heart was in it as much as say his earlier work like I want to Live and Odds Against Tomorrow. The Sand Pebbles tells an important story and deals with a relevant theme -foreign intervention by a Western superpower- and although it is too long (193 minutes) it contains some beautiful scenes, fine performances, Steve Mc Queen's best acting and Candice Bergen is just right in her restrained, graceful, subdued way. The most violent scene -the mutilation of Po-Han- really showed Wise at his most uncompromising and reflected the moral balance he achieved: he rebuked both the Americans and the native extremists for their arrogance and the fact that both sides felt the only way to communicate in a political dispute was to use violent force.

The Sand Pebbles came after Wise made such a success with The Sound of Music. Could any director have made two such disparate films back to back? It shows his versatility. Yet The Sound of Music also had embedded in its story the rise of Nazism and again the scenario of outside politcal intervention in a country that should have been left alone in peace.

The Sand Pebbles, despite flaws, is one of those Hollywood films that enable one to respect Hollywood every so often for elevating the art and craft of film-making. It is solidly well made, beautifully photographed, with one of Jerry Goldsmith's finest music scores. Unlike many Hollywood films it doesn't end with a happy finale. McQueen our hero meets his fate. He does not walk off into the sunset with his missionary girlfriend. Thank goodness for that because life, as the film shows in a historical light, is not all a bed of roses.
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From: Raul Scherping
Sent: Friday, August 30, 2002 6:29 PM
To: Cris Garcia
Subject: Pebbles Site

Just found your site as I was looking for information on Steve. I decided to send your a note to congratulate you on such a wonderful site packed with information and facts.

I'm in the process of making my personal website. On my site I will be having a section on my favorite actors. There will be a small homage to Steve there.

Anyway, you have done a great job with your site.

All the best.
Raul
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From: Mike Cornacchione
Sent: Tuesday, August 13, 2002 2:42 AM
To: Cris Garcia
Subject: The Sand Pebbles

I've always loved THE SAND PEBBLES. I remember seeing it at the Blue Star Theater in Watchuge N.J. I really think it was the movie that got me, later in life, to join the service and see the world.

Friday night I watched it with my 13 year old. The same age I was when I saw it the first time. I really can't believe it never got a Oscar for something.
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From: Robert Townson
Sent: Friday, August 02, 2002 4:02 PM
To: Cris Garcia
Subject: Re: New Sand Pebbles CD...

Dear Crispin,
Thank you for your note. Glad to hear you are excited about our new THE SAND PEBBLES release. I hope you enjoy the disc when it arrives.

I have included the only promotional text that was prepared for this title. I have also attached a JPEG of the cover artwork. Please feel free to share this information with other SAND PEBBLES fans.

I too am very excited about this release. What a magnificent score!

Robert Townson
Varese Sarabande Records
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From: Geoff Toole
Sent: Thursday, August 01, 2002 7:57 PM
To: Cris Garcia
Subject: Re: The Sand Pebbles CD Soundtrack

Crispin

I am glad that the news of The Sand Pebbles CD was welcomed. Not much that I can expand on seeing the film at the Rivoli other than that I remember seeing it within the first week that it opened and saw it a few times afterward. And of course the theatre was a beautiful theatre - that is where I purchased my souvenir book.

My father was a NYC Police Officer who worked in the Times Square precinct and I remember attending many films at all the old theatres along Broadway. He was able to get the poster of The Sand Pebbles that I now have in my home once the run was complete. I even remember seeing Cleopatra at the Rivoli. A theatre that when they tore it down brought great sadness to many, but I had seen many beautiful theatres go the way of the wrecking ball in New York City, including the Roxy, the Victoria, the Cinerama, the Valencia, and I could go on and on.

I also remember seeing The Sand Pebbles when it moved on to other theatres after its initial run and the film was cut sometimes even more than what is now missing from the roadshow, but that was later when they coupled it with Che!, a movie with Omar Sharif.

Anyway, landmark status was not to be for the Rivoli, but I can still remember going back in time when you saw a movie there.

I hope you enjoy the CD and take care.

Geoff
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From: Geoff Toole
Sent: Wednesday, July 31, 2002 7:11 PM
To: Cris Garcia
Subject: The Sand Pebbles CD Soundtrack

I have been a fan of the Sand Pebbles since I first saw it at the Rivoli Theatre in New York City when I was in High School. It is probably one of the reasons I chose the US Navy for my service during the Vietnam War.

Ever since that time I have probably collected every edition of Jerry Goldsmith's beautiful score published in many different countries, but now, for the first time Varese Sarabande.com is issuing the original tracks of the score in a limited edition that you can purchase on the web.

I thought you might want to pass that on in your website.

Best Regards,

Geoff Toole
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From: Derek Bousé
Sent: Sunday, July 28, 2002 4:04 PM
To: Cris Garcia
Subject: Sand Pebbles site

I am in the midst of perusing your SAND PEBBLES site.

This is a superb website -- obviously a labor of love, but also full of useful information. Clearly, it is the most comprehensive of its kind I have ever seen (I wish there were one such as this for THE WILD BUNCH).

I was especially interested to read Schickel's 1967 review. What he seemed to want was faster pacing, yet in my view it is precisely the film's resistance of this that gives it a more 'literary' quality -- that is, the pacing more of a novel than of conventional films. It was brave in a way.

I quite like this film, and have widescreen VHS tape of it, although I will soon replace it with a DVD.

Thanks once again for your website.

db
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From: Greg Cooper
Sent: Wednesday, July 24, 2002 7:22 PM
To: Cris Garcia
Subject: Wow...

And to think I thought that I was a big fan of the Sand Pebbles...

I was on a weekend vacation probably two years ago and at about 11 pm my wife was going to bed and I was not tired so I flipped through the channels and must have missed the first 30 seconds of the Sand Pebbles. I had no idea what it was called, but I like older movies and find modern movies to be real crap so I thought I would watch until I got bored or tired.

I, of course, ended up being riveted with the story and characters. The funny part is that I had no idea what the movie was or how long it was so about two hours in I kept assuming it had to end soon but HOW would it suddenly end in the middle of all of this plot? Absolutely one of the great movies of all time, and I proudly own it on DVD. They simply do not make movies like this anymore. I mean compare this classic with modern garbage like Pearl Harbor or Titanic...

Anyway...the Sand Pebbles turned me on to more Steve McQueen stuff. I had always like the Magnificent 7 but did not really appreciate McQueen. Subsequently he is now basically my favorite ever actor and I have seen most of his movies.

Nice site.
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From: Jim Fritz
Sent: Thursday, May 09, 2002 2:32 PM
To: Cris Garcia
Subject: RE: Additional documentary on the making of The Sand Pebbles

Hi Cris:
I forgot to add a couple of more interesting details about my visit to 20th Century Fox Studios. After we watched the action scene I described to you being filmed, the hosts ask us if we would like to see the set with the steam engine, used in the movie. We were all interested in that so they took us over to that area. They told us how they found the engine from an old logging camp that they believed was almost exactly like the one that powered the real gunboat in the 1930's. I made the statement "I assume it doesn't really run?" and at that point they took me around to the back of the engine to the point where the driveshaft came out of the engine. It was resting on a carved out piece of wood and you could see all the black burn marks in the wood where the shaft had been turning as they had been running it during the filming!

We were very impressed as it would have taken a lot of manhours to get the old engine back into full running order. Robert Wise had a reputation in Hollywood as a director who paid close attention to all the small details. If you look at his film "The Hinderburg" you can also see this as he even had the Hinderburg's original china recreated for the shots in the dinning room of the zepplin! Many of these props from this film are on display in Washington in, I believe, the National Air and Space Museum. So when you look at "The Sand Pebbles" and the gunboat you are looking at an almost perfect recreation of the San Pablo type of ship. One other comment I remember from our meeting with the Solar folks was their mentioning that they had a party coming up soon to celebrate the "death" of Jake Holman (Steve McQueen) in the film. The reason for the party, they told us, was because they were paying McQueen so much money for each extra day of filming that it was futher destroying the budget that was already way over the original estimate. This, even though McQueen was a partner in the production company! McQueen would run into these same problems when he filmed "LeMans" which was a labor of love for him as he loved racing sports cars so much. Unlike "The Sand Pebbles". "Le Mans" didn't return it's investment to the backers as "The Sand Pebbles" did.
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From: Jim Fritz
Sent: Tuesday, May 07, 2002 11:47 PM
To: Cris Garcia
Subject: Additional documentary on the making of The Sand Pebbles

Dear Cris:

I happened to stumble on to your website as I was looking for some additional material about the movie. I had recently purchased a DVD copy and it re-kindled my interest in the film.

I retired from Cummins Engine Company in 1998 as Director-Marketing Communications after 36 years with the company. I believe it was either late 1965 or early 1966 that I received a phone call from a public relations person employed by our Los Angeles Cummins Distributorship. He was a former Navy man and had called to tell me that not too long ago they had sold a pair of C-180M Cummins marine engines to Solar Productions at Fox. The folks at Solar had contacted the distributor to see if Cummins would be interested in making a film about the use of our products in the boat. They were then producing the other documentary you reference to on your website. I told him that I thought there might be a possibility that we would be interested since I knew this film was a major production and carried a most impressive list of actors. He recalled the studio and they suggested that I come out to see them as soon as possible. That Spring my wife and I drove our new Corvette from Indiana to Los Angeles. My wife and I had a meeting with the Solar folks along with the L.A. distributor person on the lot at 20th Century. They wanted something in the neighborhood of 10-15 grand to take all the footage already in the can and edit out a movie for our use. I had a better idea! Since this film was to be sold on a "Road Show" basis, that is with all theatre seats sold in advance like a Broadway play, I knew they wanted all the hype they could muster ahead of the opening. Cummins made marine engines for pleasure as well as work boats and so I took a look at our shows and exhibit schedule of marine shows (I was in charge of this area as well) and told them that we would be showing our products in the New York Boat Show at the same time the film was opening in New York. The same was true in Miami and Chicago as we had boat shows there as well. I suggested that if they would just produce the film for us at no charge I would see that it was exhibited in all our marine shows as well as building a special exhibit backwall that would highlight the movie as well as plug Cummins role in it. After some discussion they agreed to do so. When the meeting was over they ask if we would like a tour of 20th and since they didn't offer tours at Fox to the general public in those days we said "yes"!

We not only got a great tour but we were taken onto the set of The Sand Pebbles and I got to stand behind Robert Wise as he directed Steve McQueen and others in an action scene. This is the scene where Jake comes ashore to get Frenchie and take him back to the boat as he is AWOL. Jake is jumped by some of the locals and the scene lasts about a minute and a half in the movie. This was their second complete day trying to shoot this short scene!

No wonder this film ran so far over budget! As I remember the original budget was 8 mil. They told us and it finally ended up costing something like 12 mil. McQueen was a partner in Solar Productions along with others. I had met McQueen briefly in the late 1950's when I was working in an imported car business in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and he came in with his first wife and a new Austin Healy 100 (red) that they had just purchased and driven down to Florida from New York for a short vacation. He had just appeared live on a 90 minute Playhouse 90 drama on TV (black & white) which impressed me with his performance so I knew who he was when I first saw him.

We didn't make contact on the set that day and I doubt that he even knew anyone else was on the set except the crew since this was a closed set. Later, after the picture had opened in New York we received an invitation to attend a premiere party to be held at The Athletic Club in Indianapolis prior to it's premier there. Robert Wise (a native Hoosier) was to be the guest of honor, so the head of the Marketing Group and I attended the event, got to speak to Wise at some length and had our picture taken with him, which I still have. (Click here for photo)

We decided to call our short film "The Secret of the San Pablo" as it pointed out that while steam engines were used in the original gunboat, the new boat had diesels. The smoke was produced by a smoke machine they had on board. Our selling point in our film was the fact that since shooting costs exceeded 50 grand a day (sounds like nothing today!) they couldn't afford "sick" engines so for that reason they choose Cummins. The film included a lot of footage from the movie and the studio was kind enough to give us Richard Crenna as the host. He also does an interview with Robert Wise about the difficulities they had with the boat in making the film. I am checking with Cummins to see if we still have either a 16mm print of this short (about 15 minutes) film or if we converted it to video. I still have a 35mm print of the film in my collection. (I am a film buff and collector and have a home theatre, as well). If you or any of your associates would have interest in seeing this film or owning a copy we can see what arrangements might be possible. I just taped the "History vs. Hollywood" special on the movie which ran last night on the History Channel. As I look at the movie now, I have even more respect for it than I did at the time it was made. I find it leaves a strong impression on others including young people as well after they see it. It preaches a strong lesson about racial tolerance and learning to live with others who may be different than ouselves...something we still need to strive for in this country, to this day.

Hope you found some of this history interesting and look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely, Jim Fritz
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From: Jean Alain AUTRET
Sent: Thursday, April 04, 2002 12:56 PM
To: Cris Garcia
Subject: Sand Pebbles DVD

Soon in zone 2 with french subtitles ( 27/05/02 )

http://www.cinestore.com/html/fiche_produits.php?page=1&groupe=1&code_origine=20316D&id=12767&code_origine=20316D

Regards.
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From: Dave Curle
Sent: Friday, March 22, 2002 10:28 PM
To: Cris Garcia
Subject: Steam

This is one of my favourite all time films. Even better that the 'steam engine' came from my home city, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Dave
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From: Scott Walker
Sent: Tuesday, February 05, 2002 8:33 PM
To: Cris Garcia
Subject: 'souvenir program in my collection'

Hi Crispin
Just came across your site dedicated to The Sand Pebbles recently while doing research on roadshow films. I too am a fan of that movie, and like a lot of people on the boards I'm sure, glad to see there are a lot of others out there as well. I haven't however seen the movie in a number of years but have seen it in a theatre albeit a couple of years after it's roadshow release, but it was still impressive.

Anyway, while looking through one of the messageboards last week I saw that someone was looking to obtain one of the souvenir programs from the film. As luck might have it I have two copies, not in ideal condition but presentable enough, one of which I'd be happy to sell. Unfortunately I didn't catch the person's name but I'm sure there are others who'd also be interested. One I got here in Vancouver at a used book store years ago but the other I'm not sure, possibly at a store on Hollywood Blvd back in the 70's. So if you know of anyone who would be interested in purchasing one please feel free to pass my e-mail address on to them. I also have programs from numerous other roadshows as well. Keep up the great work on the sight, your fellow "Pebbles' fan.

Scott Walker
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From: JBENZ90&aol.com
Sent: Monday, February 04, 2002 12:51 AM
To: Cris Garcia
Subject: Sand Pebbles History vs. Hollywood airing again

Hey Cris,
They're going to show "The Sand Pebbles" History vs. Hollywood on February 22nd at 8 pm. Just thought I'd let you know. The History vs Hollywood series is up in the air right now, but thanks to your help, "The Sand Pebbles" first airing got one of the highest ratings the series ever got. They were really happy with the show and the ratings. Hope all is well with you.

Ben Bulatao
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From: Jan Michaelis
Sent: Monday, January 28, 2002 3:05 PM
To: Cris Garcia
Subject: Re: "hello engine"

Cris,

Actually we have two 3" guns now. One is stored in lower #2, visitors see it as they pass through the hatches.

The first 3" sat on top of #1 hatch for years and was maintained there, finally a year or so ago, a gun tub was fabricated on the foredeck and the gun installed there. Another interesting barge crane process, this time during day light hours.

Will look for a photo for you, any chance it could end up on your web site with a LV credit ???

Later
jan~
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From: Jan Michaelis
Sent: Sunday, January 27, 2002 3:04 PM
To: Cris Garcia
Subject: Re: "hello engine"

Hi Cris,

Why did I think that someone really into the 'Sand Pebbles' engine would live right here in SoCal? Do you have a picture of the engine as it is now in our No 2 Hold (museum)? If not will see if I can find a copy to send you.

I just had a quick moment when I saw the 'Sand Pebbles' Site, didnt get a chance to explore it.

Here is a bit more about the engine, you may or may not know. All of the pistons were pulled and are now on display on the back side of the engine. Crankshaft, cleaned of all blood (movie joke) was removed and anything else that would create drag. Then it was set up to run electrically. This is usually only done when the two men who modified the engine are on board. Both live in the Santa Barbara area, some 100 miles away. They come down and stay onboard during each of our cruise weekends, and have the engine running all day long. Both are machinists, Jim Higman, was Chief Engineer on the Glo Mar Explorer during part of the attempt to raise that Russian sub. Gene Allen is a retired railroader, who has built to scale his own railroad, engine, cars, tracks and all, hauls kids round and round. I was one of several of the deck crew present one night at just midnight, when a huge barge crane called 'Mr. Manson' came along side the #2 hatch, which was wide open. The crane lifted the 'Sand Pebbles' engine off the deck of the barge, and very slowly raised it up and over the rail, over the hold and down, so gently onto the 'bed' our engine gang had created for it. The engine, operating or not, is a great favorite with our visitors and cruise passengers. As yet no opportunity has arisen, for it to be used in any other movie, but we keep hoping.

Will get the brochures in the mail, invite is open ended. Appreciate any brochure info you can get on your web site. Our 2001 Catalina Cruise were a SELL OUT before our second set of cruises! We are hoping to do the same thing this year.

jan~

JANLV&JUNO.COM
http://www.lanevictoryship.com
______________________________________

From: Jan Michaelis
Sent: Saturday, January 26, 2002 6:11 PM
To: Cris Garcia
Subject: "hello engine"

Hi 'Sand Pebbles' Cris,

My name is Jan Michaelis, I am a volunteer crew member of the SS Lane Victory, located in San Pedro, CA. Have you been down recently to visit the 'engine' from that epic movie that documented the Navy's Asiatic Fleet?

The engine is fully operational, everything goes up and down and in reverse. Of course there is no drive shaft connected.

Would like to hear from you, and if you like set up a date and time for a visit, when we can have the engine running for you.

Would like to send you some of the Lane's brochures and related info, as she is really, fully operational, full time armament and all and goes to sea at least 7 times a year. In the past we have gone to sea for the movies, Outbreak, Titanic, and The Thin Red Line. Many others filmed at our dock or other locations in the harbor.

jan~

Check our web site at http://www.lanevictoryship.com
______________________________________

From: John Richardson
Sent: Friday, January 25, 2002 11:24 PM
To: Cris Garcia
Subject: Richard McKenna and 20th Century Fox

Hi! The Sand Pebbles is one of my all-time favorite movies. I have however a rather odd question regarding the circumstances of 20th Century Fox acquiring the rights to the novel. David Brown is a legendary Oscar-winning producer who came to Hollywood 50 years to work for Darryl F. Zanuck and 20th Century Fox as a *creative executive*. His previous work had been in the publishing business in New York. A creative executive would be responsible for locating suitable material that would be *film-worthy*.

My question is this: Do you know if it was David Brown who actually purchased the rights to The Sand Pebbles for Fox?

The reason for my question is this. I have in my possession, a signed first edition (with dustjacket) of The Sand Pebbles. It is inscribed by McKenna *To David Brown, best wishes and regards.* Under the inscription it is dated May 1963 Chapel Hill, NC. The present value of the book is approximately $2000. If I can establish some sort of connection between Richard McKenna and David Brown, the value of the book would obviously be affected in a positive manner. Any information that you might be able to share in this matter would be greatly appreciated. BTW, I must say...EXCELLENT website! You are to be commended!

I hope to receive a response at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely, John Richardson
http://australia.edu
______________________________________

From: Paul & Brenda
Sent: Sunday, January 06, 2002 10:15 AM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: San Pablo

Cris, I thought of something else that I have found no info on. I assume that the ship was left in China after filming. What became of it? Does anyone know where it is today? Thanks, Paul

-------------------------------------------------
Response:
Paul,

"Upon completion of The Sand Pebbles, the San Pablo was temporarily saved from the scrap heap -- the fate of all gunboats -- by an American construction firm which had a contract to rebuild bridges in Viet Nam."

This was a quote from Fox publicity people and included on the album soundtrack. However, a few people theorize its actual purpose was a sort of floating brothel for construction workers. A sad fate indeed. That is where the trail ends. No one has come forth with any additional news on the fate of the boat. The 3-inch gun used on the bow of the ship for the fight sequence turned up in a movie equipment rental yard in southern California a few years ago. However, this does not automatically mean the ship was cannibalized for materials, just that the gun was not needed on what was to become a "construction" ship. The engine in the movie was actually located on a Fox movie lot in Hollywood, not on the San Pablo. It is now on display in the SS Lane Victory onboard museum, located at Berth 94, in San Pedro, CA.

Cris
______________________________________

From: Paul & Brenda
Sent: Sunday, January 06, 2002 12:42 AM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: A Ship Called San Pablo...

Cris, Yes I'd love to see it (the CDROM) and wholeheartedly agree to the "pass it on" plan. That's a really nice thing for you to do. The Sand Pebbles is one of my favorite films and having thrown my last taped copy away I am determined not to buy another until I get a DVD player. I recently read the book for the first time and enjoyed that too. Some of the departures that the film made from the book were interesting.

______________________________________

From: Sky3walker&aol.com
Sent: Saturday, January 05, 2002 11:27 AM
To: Cris Garcia
Subject: For Sand Pebbles Movie Forum

Long after my two wartime tours in Vietnam, including R&R visits to S.P. sites Taiwan and Hong Kong, I found it a bitter/sweet experience recently to review the tragic story and scenic beauty of the Sand Pebbles. Perhaps there is too much insistence that this film is a comment on Vietnam era politics, but for this vet and others, I'm sure, the film, which shows the struggle for honorable service among U.S. military men in foreign cultures, would be an American classic, no matter in what era it had been made.

______________________________________

From: Scott Wannberg
Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2002 7:53 AM
To: Cris Garcia
Subject: Thanks

Just a note of thanks for your website. Was given a DVD player for the holidays and the first film I bought was The Sand Pebbles. Remember seeing it initially at the Fox Wilshire and have seen it many times since but wanted it on DVD. Have read McKenna's novel twice, actually, years apart. Holds up very very well. My favorite Steve McQueen film. Tom Middleton, who played Jennings, the Crostics man, comes to my bookstore, Duttons in Brentwood, quite a lot. Very nice man.

Thanks again,
Scott Wannberg
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