We Were Strangers
Encyclopedia
We Were Strangers is a 1949
adventure
–drama film
directed by John Huston
and starring Jennifer Jones and John Garfield
.
The film, set in 1933, concerns a group of revolutionaries attempting to overthrow the Cuban regime
. The story is based loosely on Robert Sylvester's novel Rough Sketch.
In between making the classics Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948) and The Asphalt Jungle
(1950), John Huston made "We Were Strangers." The film was released in April 1949 at the beginning of the HUAC Committee hearings on communist infiltration in the U.S.A. It predictably received mixed reviews, and soon vanished from theaters. American audiences were perplexed by it, its largely Hispanic cast did not resonate with white Americans, and its shocking presidential assassination theme may have offended some sensibilities.
Based on the overthrow of Cuban dictator Gerardo Machado y Morales in 1933, the story is about a group of revolutionaries who plot to bring down their corrupt government. China Valdez witnesses her brother's murder after he distributes leftist pamphlets and vows that she will kill his assassin. At his funeral, however, she is persuaded to join an underground group whose moves are more carefully orchestrated. China's house is next door to a cemetery and the leader of the group (John Garfield) devises a scheme to assassinate an official whose family plot is in the cemetery and detonate a bomb at the man's funeral thereby killing as many officials as possible. To do this, they must dig a tunnel from China's house to the cemetery. Much of the movie focuses on the digging of the tunnel while Garfield and Jones develop a romantic interest in each other. However, the film never lets the romantic issues overpower its basic theme of the desperation of the Cuban terrorists. It ends with a violent shoot-out sequence.
The film suffers in a few places from sluggish pacing, but the performances are all first-rate. Jennifer Jones, doing a convincing Cuban accent, is radiant but intense as China and has good chemistry with Garfield. The supporting players are very fine. Pedro Armendariz, as the corrupt police chief, is deliciously menacing. Look for silent greats Gilbert Roland and Ramon Novarro in strong supporting parts as members of the resistance. Look for a cameo appearance
by director John Huston who appears as a bank teller.
Many of the film's outdoor scenes are shot against rear projections, which are quite noticeable. The film, however, achieves an almost documentary-like feel with its stark black-and-white photography.
We Were Strangers, for whatever reasons, was virtually unavailable for viewing for decades. One indication of its long shelved status is that it was only first made available on VHS/DVD in 2005, two decades after almost all of John Huston's other films were made available.
Huston originally wanted to cast then-unknown Marilyn Monroe
for a part.
of President Kennedy
in November 1963, investigators learned that Lee Harvey Oswald
had watched We Were Strangers on television in October. However, this fact was kept quiet and was long unknown by all but a few people. Priscilla Johnson McMillan's 1977 book, Marina and Lee, a dual-biography of the fated young couple, informed the public and authoritatively added that Oswald had been "greatly excited" while watching the film. John Loken's 2000 book, Oswald's Trigger Films, further established that Oswald watched We Were Strangers not once but twice in October 1963. The book also details several specific elements of the film that would have greatly appealed to Oswald.
1949 in film
The year 1949 in film involved some significant events.-Top grossing films :- Awards :Academy Awards:*Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff, starring Bud Abbott and Lou Costello...
adventure
Adventure film
Adventure films are a genre of film.Unlike pure, low-budget action films they often use their action scenes preferably to display and explore exotic locations in an energetic way....
–drama film
Drama film
A drama film is a film genre that depends mostly on in-depth development of realistic characters dealing with emotional themes. Dramatic themes such as alcoholism, drug addiction, infidelity, moral dilemmas, racial prejudice, religious intolerance, poverty, class divisions, violence against women...
directed by John Huston
John Huston
John Marcellus Huston was an American film director, screenwriter and actor. He wrote most of the 37 feature films he directed, many of which are today considered classics: The Maltese Falcon , The Treasure of the Sierra Madre , Key Largo , The Asphalt Jungle , The African Queen , Moulin Rouge...
and starring Jennifer Jones and John Garfield
John Garfield
John Garfield was an American actor adept at playing brooding, rebellious, working-class character roles. He grew up in poverty in Depression-era New York City and in the early 1930s became an important member of the Group Theater. In 1937 he moved to Hollywood, eventually becoming one of Warner...
.
The film, set in 1933, concerns a group of revolutionaries attempting to overthrow the Cuban regime
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
. The story is based loosely on Robert Sylvester's novel Rough Sketch.
In between making the classics Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948) and The Asphalt Jungle
The Asphalt Jungle
The Asphalt Jungle is a 1950 film noir directed by John Huston. The caper film is based on the novel of the same name by W. R. Burnett and stars an ensemble cast including Sterling Hayden, Jean Hagen, Sam Jaffe, Louis Calhern, James Whitmore, and, in a minor but key role, Marilyn Monroe, an unknown...
(1950), John Huston made "We Were Strangers." The film was released in April 1949 at the beginning of the HUAC Committee hearings on communist infiltration in the U.S.A. It predictably received mixed reviews, and soon vanished from theaters. American audiences were perplexed by it, its largely Hispanic cast did not resonate with white Americans, and its shocking presidential assassination theme may have offended some sensibilities.
Based on the overthrow of Cuban dictator Gerardo Machado y Morales in 1933, the story is about a group of revolutionaries who plot to bring down their corrupt government. China Valdez witnesses her brother's murder after he distributes leftist pamphlets and vows that she will kill his assassin. At his funeral, however, she is persuaded to join an underground group whose moves are more carefully orchestrated. China's house is next door to a cemetery and the leader of the group (John Garfield) devises a scheme to assassinate an official whose family plot is in the cemetery and detonate a bomb at the man's funeral thereby killing as many officials as possible. To do this, they must dig a tunnel from China's house to the cemetery. Much of the movie focuses on the digging of the tunnel while Garfield and Jones develop a romantic interest in each other. However, the film never lets the romantic issues overpower its basic theme of the desperation of the Cuban terrorists. It ends with a violent shoot-out sequence.
The film suffers in a few places from sluggish pacing, but the performances are all first-rate. Jennifer Jones, doing a convincing Cuban accent, is radiant but intense as China and has good chemistry with Garfield. The supporting players are very fine. Pedro Armendariz, as the corrupt police chief, is deliciously menacing. Look for silent greats Gilbert Roland and Ramon Novarro in strong supporting parts as members of the resistance. Look for a cameo appearance
Cameo appearance
A cameo role or cameo appearance is a brief appearance of a known person in a work of the performing arts, such as plays, films, video games and television...
by director John Huston who appears as a bank teller.
Many of the film's outdoor scenes are shot against rear projections, which are quite noticeable. The film, however, achieves an almost documentary-like feel with its stark black-and-white photography.
We Were Strangers, for whatever reasons, was virtually unavailable for viewing for decades. One indication of its long shelved status is that it was only first made available on VHS/DVD in 2005, two decades after almost all of John Huston's other films were made available.
Cast
- Jennifer Jones as China Valdés
- John GarfieldJohn GarfieldJohn Garfield was an American actor adept at playing brooding, rebellious, working-class character roles. He grew up in poverty in Depression-era New York City and in the early 1930s became an important member of the Group Theater. In 1937 he moved to Hollywood, eventually becoming one of Warner...
as John Fenner - Pedro ArmendárizPedro ArmendárizPedro Armendáriz was a Mexican actor of the cinema of Mexico and Hollywood.-Early life:Born Pedro Gregorio Armendáriz Hastings in Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico to Pedro Armendáriz García-Conde and Adela Hastings . He was also the cousin of actress Gloria Marín...
as Armando Ariete - Gilbert RolandGilbert RolandGilbert Roland was a Mexican-born American film actor.He was born Luis Antonio Dámaso de Alonso in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico and originally intended to become a bullfighter like his father. When the family moved to the United States, however, he became interested in acting when he was...
as Guillermo Montilla - Ramon NovarroRamón NovarroRamón Novarro was a Mexican leading man actor in Hollywood in the early 20th century. He was the next male "Sex Symbol" after the death of Rudolph Valentino...
as Chief - Wally CassellWally CassellWally Cassell is an American character actor.- Biography :Castellano was born in Agrigento, Sicily, and moved with his family to the United States at the age of two....
as Miguel - David Bond as Ramón Sánchez
- José Pérez as Toto
- Morris AnkrumMorris AnkrumMorris Ankrum was an American radio, television and film character actor.-Early life:Born Morris Nussbaum in Danville, Illinois, Ankrum originally began a career in academics. After graduating from USC with a law degree, he went on to an associate professorship in economics at the University of...
as Mr. Seymour, bank manager
Huston originally wanted to cast then-unknown Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe was an American actress, singer, model and showgirl who became a major sex symbol, starring in a number of commercially successful motion pictures during the 1950s....
for a part.
Copycat Effect on Oswald
Two weeks after the assassinationAssassination of John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the thirty-fifth President of the United States, was assassinated at 12:30 p.m. Central Standard Time on Friday, November 22, 1963, in Dealey Plaza, Dallas, Texas...
of President Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
in November 1963, investigators learned that Lee Harvey Oswald
Lee Harvey Oswald
Lee Harvey Oswald was, according to four government investigations,These were investigations by: the Federal Bureau of Investigation , the Warren Commission , the House Select Committee on Assassinations , and the Dallas Police Department. the sniper who assassinated John F...
had watched We Were Strangers on television in October. However, this fact was kept quiet and was long unknown by all but a few people. Priscilla Johnson McMillan's 1977 book, Marina and Lee, a dual-biography of the fated young couple, informed the public and authoritatively added that Oswald had been "greatly excited" while watching the film. John Loken's 2000 book, Oswald's Trigger Films, further established that Oswald watched We Were Strangers not once but twice in October 1963. The book also details several specific elements of the film that would have greatly appealed to Oswald.
External links
- We Were Strangers at Rotten TomatoesRotten TomatoesRotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...