Hound-Dog Man *** (1959, Fabian Forte, Stuart Whitman, Carol Lynley, Dodie Stevens, Arthur O’Connell) – Classic Movie Review 5958

Fabian Forte’s first leading role is director Don Siegel’s Hound-Dog Man (1959), based on the 1949 novel by Fred Gipson (who later wrote the better known Old Yeller, filmed by Disney in 1957). Fabian co-stars with the older and more experienced Stuart Whitman and sings several songs, including the title track.

The 31-year-old Whitman plays the womanising Blackie Scantling who takes young farm boy Clint McKinney (Fabian in his film début, aged 16) and his younger brother Spud (Dennis Holmes) on a hunting trip. But Clint falls in love with hillbilly Dony Wallace (Carol Lynley) and then with Susie Bell Payson (Margo Moore), who is married to Hog Peyson (Claude Akins).

It is simple fun among the country settings, with lots of breaks for songs for late Fifties teens, though it is set in 1912. Perhaps it is not the kind of material that brings out the best in director Siegel, but he ensures that it is all brisk, competent and quite professional enough. It is an interesting museum piece now. The songs are OK, with a couple of hit tunes, Fabian is fab, and there is a quality support cast of vintage character actors to enjoy.

Also in the cast are Arthur O’Connell, Betty Field, Royal Dano, Dodie Stevens, Edgar Buchanan, Jane Darwell, L Q Jones, Virginia Gregg, and Rachel Stephens.

It is written by Fred Gipson and Winston Miller, shot in widescreen by Charles G Clarke, produced by Jerry Wald and scored by Cyril J Mockridge.

20th Century Fox thought they could have success launching pop star Fabian into a film career. He was paid $35,000 for ten weeks work. For his screen test, Fabian appeared in the same outfit that Elvis Presley wore in 20th Century Fox’s Love Me Tender. Apparently, Fox were grooming Fabian as a counter-attraction to Elvis and Pat Boone.

‘Acting came natural to me,’ said Fabian. ‘I don’t know why.’

Hound-Dog Man (written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman), This Friendly World, Single, I’m Growin’ Up and Pretty Little Girl are all performed by Fabian, and What Big Boy is performed by Dodie Stevens.

Fabian’s recording of the Hound-Dog Man rock and roll title song was a top ten hit single, reaching number nine on the US charts, and This Friendly World reached number 12, but the film was not a financial success, propelling Fabian’s career in a star ensemble direction, as with North to Alaska and High Time.

Fox decided Fabian’s fans were too young to be ticket-buying teenagers.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 5958

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