It's certainly not a complete waste of time. It's just messy. Van Dyke must have been a hoot to be around. He also supposedly told Mayer, before taking it on, "There's nothing wrong with the picture that $200,000 or $300,000 wouldn't fix."
My great-uncle Lou worked as a sound technician for films out of NYC. Once upon a time, he related how much he despised Spencer Tracy due to the experiences he had with Tracy while trying to make an aborted film version of "The Yearling." Uncle Lou was a somewhat bitter man but his vitriol for Tracy was notable. Never got the full story, unfortunately.
I like Tracy (as an actor!) but I would still like to know myself. If I had to guess, I would just say that Tracy was moody as hell, and alternated genial moments with mean ones. The Curtis bio, while highly admiring, does make that clear. I don't remember what Curtis said about that almost-version of The Yearling. I wonder how your uncle's work had him colliding with Tracy, since as I recall the film didn't get very far? It's too bad we can't find out.
"MGM originally began production on The Yearling in 1941, with Spencer Tracy set to star as the patriarch, and with Victor Fleming chosen to direct. The studio also hired Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, the author of the novel The Yearling, as a consultant and location scout.[6] Rawlings marked a forest service map with locations for filming, specifically referencing the clearing she named 'Baxter's Island.' MGM moved to the filming location, renovated the cabin, and built surrounding buildings to create a town for a set. Once the actors arrived on location, a combination of the bugs, heat, and lack of enthusiasm for the plot made the actors leave.[6]"
[6] "On Location: The Central Florida Of 'The Yearling'". NPR.org. Retrieved February 15, 2019
I wished I'd talked with my Uncle Lou more but I doubt I would have gotten much out of him. He started as a violinist in vaudeville probably around 1900-1910 and then switched to working with sound equipment as the movies began to talk. He probably had some great stories but he never told me one.
As I recall, Uncle Lou said Tracy was drinking a lot and I've heard that he could be a mean drunk. Too much drink, too much heat and humidity, too many primitive conditions, a script that didn't work, and unending mosquitoes.... lots of frustration.
Apr 11, 2023·edited Apr 11, 2023Liked by Self-Styled Siren
According to Curtis, the shoot of The Yearling was a hot mess. The heat and bugs wore everyone down. Shooting progressed at a snail's pace. Tracy felt miscast, being several sizes larger thatn the character conceived by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. And Victor Fleming couldn't get along with Anne Revere. These are just the highlights. Curtis writes, "Back at the studio, there was a hot session over the fate of The Yearling. 'How can I,' Fleming reportedly asked, 'make a picture whose essence is that people love each other, when no one in the cast loves anyone or loves being down there or loves making the picture?"
Love the glamor the B&W films and sometimes just watch for the designs and clothes. Yeah glad I found this 😀 I shall return
And to be fair the picture didn’t seem to damage Woody Van Dyke’s lasting reputation as a director. I now want to see this next time it pops up on TCM
It's certainly not a complete waste of time. It's just messy. Van Dyke must have been a hoot to be around. He also supposedly told Mayer, before taking it on, "There's nothing wrong with the picture that $200,000 or $300,000 wouldn't fix."
My great-uncle Lou worked as a sound technician for films out of NYC. Once upon a time, he related how much he despised Spencer Tracy due to the experiences he had with Tracy while trying to make an aborted film version of "The Yearling." Uncle Lou was a somewhat bitter man but his vitriol for Tracy was notable. Never got the full story, unfortunately.
I like Tracy (as an actor!) but I would still like to know myself. If I had to guess, I would just say that Tracy was moody as hell, and alternated genial moments with mean ones. The Curtis bio, while highly admiring, does make that clear. I don't remember what Curtis said about that almost-version of The Yearling. I wonder how your uncle's work had him colliding with Tracy, since as I recall the film didn't get very far? It's too bad we can't find out.
According to the Wikipedia article on the film:
"MGM originally began production on The Yearling in 1941, with Spencer Tracy set to star as the patriarch, and with Victor Fleming chosen to direct. The studio also hired Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, the author of the novel The Yearling, as a consultant and location scout.[6] Rawlings marked a forest service map with locations for filming, specifically referencing the clearing she named 'Baxter's Island.' MGM moved to the filming location, renovated the cabin, and built surrounding buildings to create a town for a set. Once the actors arrived on location, a combination of the bugs, heat, and lack of enthusiasm for the plot made the actors leave.[6]"
[6] "On Location: The Central Florida Of 'The Yearling'". NPR.org. Retrieved February 15, 2019
I wished I'd talked with my Uncle Lou more but I doubt I would have gotten much out of him. He started as a violinist in vaudeville probably around 1900-1910 and then switched to working with sound equipment as the movies began to talk. He probably had some great stories but he never told me one.
As I recall, Uncle Lou said Tracy was drinking a lot and I've heard that he could be a mean drunk. Too much drink, too much heat and humidity, too many primitive conditions, a script that didn't work, and unending mosquitoes.... lots of frustration.
“It was the funniest thing to hit Hollywood since Jean Harlow’s funeral.” Oh my God.
Omg funny. Looking forward to seeing I Re-take This Woman 😄
Interesting…
Did you know this?
Did I know this film was a legendary pain in the neck? Ha ha, yes I did!
According to Curtis, the shoot of The Yearling was a hot mess. The heat and bugs wore everyone down. Shooting progressed at a snail's pace. Tracy felt miscast, being several sizes larger thatn the character conceived by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. And Victor Fleming couldn't get along with Anne Revere. These are just the highlights. Curtis writes, "Back at the studio, there was a hot session over the fate of The Yearling. 'How can I,' Fleming reportedly asked, 'make a picture whose essence is that people love each other, when no one in the cast loves anyone or loves being down there or loves making the picture?"