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BEAU JAMES is subtitled "The Life and Times of Jimmy Walker," and is a biopic of James J. "Jimmy" Walker (1881--1946), who was the one-hundreth mayor of New York City. The film starred Bob Hope as the flamboyant and somewhat corrupt mayor. Following director Melville Shavelson's and screenwriter Jack Rose's THE SEVEN LITTLE FOYS (1955), 1957's BEAU JAMES marked Hope's second appearance in a role with strong dramatic elements. Although Hope received generally favorable reviews for his performance, his biographers have noted that he was disappointed that his work in this film did not garner more critical attention; he never again attempted a dramatic role.
The film has not had a video release in any format. Originally copyrighted by Hope Enterprises, Inc. and Scribe (Shavelson-Rose) Productions, when the film's copyright was renewed in 1984, ownership passed to Paramount Pictures. But this may be another case where story rights are holding up a video release. The film was based on a 1949 biography of Walker, Beau James, authored by Gene Fowler. When that book came up for copyright renewal in the pre-video year of 1976, ownership passed to Fowler's three children, Gene Fowler, Jr., Jane Fowler Morrison, and Will Fowler.
This is another fascinating film I was not familiar with that has been posted to our board, thanks!
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[BEAU JAMES] is another fascinating film I was not familiar with that has been posted to our board, thanks!
I just thought of another reason why BEAU JAMES may not have a video release. The story rights may also be tied up with a Broadway musical that was based on the same source as the film. The musical "Jimmy" had a book by Melville Shavelson (writer-director of BEAU JAMES) and Morrie Ryskind. Music and lyrics were by Bill and Patti Jacob, and Peter Gennaro did the choreography. Frank Gorshin starred as Walker, with Anita Gillette as Walker's paramour, Betty Compton. "Jimmy" had a brief Broadway run from October 1969 to January 1970.
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KEY WITNESS, the second and final feature film of recently deceased actress Susan Harrison, has never had any home video release. The film also starred Jeffrey Hunter, Dennis Hopper, and pop singer Johnny Nash ("I Can See Clearly Now", 1972). Because of its violence and sexuality, this controversial 1960 juvenile delinquent film had to undergo numerous changes in script and editing before it received a seal of approval from the Production Code Authority of the time. KEY WITNESS, sometimes referred to as the first "neo-noir" film, was directed by veteran Phil Karlson (THE PHENIX CITY STORY. THE SCARFACE MOB, WALKING TALL).
I'm not sure why this MGM film is missing from video. It was originally copyrighted by Loew's Inc. & Avon Productions, Inc. When the copyright was renewed in 1987, ownership changed to Turner Entertainment Company (as successor in interest to Loew’s, Inc.); Pandro C. Berman & Kathryn Berman; and the Weingarten Trust.
Turner Entertainment is now owned by Warner Bros. Pandro and Kathryn Berman were the film's producers. I don't know who controls the Weingarten Trust. Copyright records show that the Bermans and the Weingarten Trust also have an interest in two other films: CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF and THE RELUCTANT DEBUTANTE. Like KEY WITNESS, those two films were Avon Productions, so it may be that the Trust or the Bermans or both are successor owners to that company. Since those other two films are on DVD, it's hard to say what the problem is with KEY WITNESS. The film has appeared on Turner Classic Movies in the distant past.
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Jimmy Walker was " somewhat corrupt", Arthur?
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