Where's Jack?
| Where's Jack? | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | James Clavell |
| Produced by |
Stanley Baker James Clavell |
| Written by |
Rafe Newhouse David Newhouse |
| Starring |
Stanley Baker Tommy Steele |
| Music by | Elmer Bernstein |
| Cinematography | John Wilcox |
| Edited by | Peter Thonrton |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 120 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Where's Jack? is a 1969 film recounting the exploits of notorious 18th-century criminal Jack Sheppard and London "Thief-Taker General" Jonathan Wild.
The film was produced by Stanley Baker through his company Oakhurst Productions, and starred Baker himself as Jonathan Wild. Tommy Steele played Jack Sheppard. The film was directed by novelist James Clavell. Mary Hopkin sings the title song.
The ending of the film is ambiguous. It suggests the possibility that Sheppard may have survived his execution and escaped to the Americas.
Cast
- Tommy Steele as Jack Sheppard
- Stanley Baker as Jonathan Wild
- Alan Badel as The Lord Chancellor
- Dudley Foster as Blueskin
- Fiona Lewis as Edgworth Bess Lyon
- Sue Lloyd as Lady Darlington
- Noel Purcell as Leatherchest
- Eddie Byrne as Rev. Wagstaff
- Michael Elphick as Hogarth
- Howard Goorney as Surgeon
- John Hallam as The Captain
- Harold Kasket as The King
- Caroline Munro as Madame Vendonne
- Cardew Robinson as Lord Mayor
- George Woodbridge as Hangman
Production
Financing was provided by Paramount. According to producer Michael Deeley, this was obtained after a pitch Martin Baum, Stanley Baker's agent did to Charles Bludhorn, owner of Paramount. Baum described the film was being written by the writers of Point Blank (1967), produced by the maker of Zulu (1963) and directed by the man who made To Sir, with Love (1967) which made a combined profit of $45 million. Divided by four that meant a profit of over $10 million after $3 million cost was deducted. The pitch was successful and Deeley says it remains one of his happiest memories in getting a film funded. Ironically, Where's Jack? turned out to be a box office flop.[1]
References
- ↑ Michael Deeley, Blade Runners, Deer Hunters and Blowing the Bloody Doors Off: My Life in Cult Movies, Pegasus Books, 2009 p 43-44