The Big Fisherman * (1959, Howard Keel, Alexander Scourby, Susan Kohner, John Saxon, Martha Hyer, Herbert Lom) – Classic Movie Review 6206

Singer Howard Keel often proved a nice, effective actor, but here he is uncomfortably cast as Saint Peter, in the Walt Disney studio’s often tepid, sometimes incompetent 1959 drama based on Lloyd C Douglas’s once famous book.

It was nominated for three Oscars – Best Cinematography Color (Lee Garmes), Best Art Direction-Set Decoration Color (John DeCuir, Julia Heron) and Best Costume Design Color (Renié).

It follows the life of Simon Peter of Galilee from being a fisherman to being a fisher of men as a follower of Jesus Christ.

Also miscast, Susan Kohner gives a wan performance as Princess Fara, an Arab princess persuaded by Saint Peter not to kill her stepfather King Herod Antipas (a more interesting Herbert Lom). It also stars Alexander Scourby as David Ben-Zadok, John Saxon as Prince Voldi, Martha Hyer as Herodias, Ray Stricklyn as Deran, Beulah Bondi as Hannah and Marian Seldes as Arnon.

The good actors and esteemed director Frank Borzage may try but they cannot really do much in their uphill battle against Howard Estabrook and Rowland V Lee’s stodgy, over-worthy screenplay that lets the story run to 180 minutes

At least it looks good in Lee Garmes’s smart Oscar-nominated Panavision Technicolor cinematography, John DeCuir’s handsome production designs, Julia Heron’s set decoration and Renié ‘s costumes. But it is hard to imagine Disney making such a movie today. Indeed Walt Disney rejected making the film because of his dislike of religious epics, but his brother Roy backed it.

Also in the cast are Jay Barney as John the Baptist, Charlotte Fletcher, Mark Dana, Rhodes Reason as Andrew, Henry Brandon, Brian G Hutton as John, Marian Stewart, Jonathan Harris and Leonard Mudie.

It is produced by Rowland V Lee and scored by Albert Hay Malotte.

Douglas also wrote the book of similar themed movie The Robe (1953).

The TCM print runs 165 minutes.

It follows Demetrius and the Gladiators (1954).

Brian G Hutton went on to be the director of Where Eagles Dare and Kelly’s Heroes.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 6206

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