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

See all images here



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."

The Sand Pebbles original score by Jerry Goldsmith - 2022 2CD set reissue



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,

The Sand Pebbles Tee Shirt 1A, courtesy of Steven BrysonI 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.

The Sand Pebbles Caricature 1A, courtesy of Steven Bryon

The Sand Pebbles Movie Still 1A, courtesy of Steven Bryson



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

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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

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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.

 
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From: Don Whistance
Date: Thu, Feb 1, 2018 at 12:45 AM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: The white building!! (reference email January 31 2018)

All the blocks are not there

Alley 2 Lane

Location of the scene

No windows in the last block

Windows in the demolished block

The place now

Just one block left



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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?

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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


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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.


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From: Don Whistance
Date: Mon, Jan 22, 2018 10:04 AM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject: Bade Pond Ecological Park - thank you

Bade Pond

Crispin,

Can you ask on your superb message board forum about the ‘elephant sculpture’ scene, please?

Elephant statue

Response:

Of course, no problem.

If anyone has information related to the elephant statue featured in the movie please let me know.


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From: Don Whistance
Date: Mon, Jan 22, 2018 4:23 AM
To: Crispin Garcia
Subject:    Location of this scene too, please!


Holman and Eckert in rowboat

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.


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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

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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.

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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.

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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

   

   
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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


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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

fox backlot model

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

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


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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

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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).

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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INTRADA Presents:

The Sand Pebbles CD

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


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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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.


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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Response - A great resource for not only Sand Pebbles fans but for many other films as well. Thanks for sharing!

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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

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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.

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Past years of the Sand Pebbles Movie Message Board are available below: