GUNN, 1967, 2 ORIGINAL UK LOBBY CARDS, CRAIG STEVENS LAURA DEVON, BLAKE EDWARDS

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Wonderful condition. Bought at Auction. Pictures are scans of the actual item. See photos.

Size : 10" x 8"  

Dispatched 2nd class large letter in cardboard backed envelope. 

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About this item

  • Original lobby card measuring 8x10 inches. This lobby card is from Great Britain and was printed during the actual year the film was released in movie theaters.
  • The lobby card (also known as Front of House/ FOH card in the UK) was created by the film studios to publicise the movie and was intended for display outside the movie theatre in special glass display boxes. THESE ARE NOT REPRODUCTIONS! You are looking at a truly original piece of cinema art, a genuine collector's item.


Gunn (film)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gunn
Theatrical release poster
Directed byBlake Edwards
Screenplay byWilliam Peter Blatty
Blake Edwards
Story byBlake Edwards
Produced byOwen Crump
Blake Edwards
StarringCraig Stevens
Laura Devon
Edward Asner
Albert Paulsen
Sherry Jackson
Helen Traubel
CinematographyPhilip Lathrop
Music byThe Gordian Knot
Henry Mancini
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release date
28 June 1967
Running time
93 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Gunn is a 1967 American neo noir mystery film directed by Blake Edwards, and starring Craig Stevens, based on the 1958-1961 television series Peter Gunn. Stevens was the only regular cast member from the original series to appear in the film; the characters of Gunn's singing girlfriend Edie Hart, club owner "Mother", and police lieutenant Jacoby were all recast for the film. The movie was intended to be the first in a projected series of Peter Gunn feature films, but no sequels followed.

Plot[edit]

A gangster named Scarlotti once saved private detective Peter Gunn's life, but now Scarlotti's been killed, and Fusco intends to take over the town's crime syndicate. Gunn and Lt. Jacoby are convinced that Fusco himself must be behind it.

Gunn makes a visit to Mother's, the nightclub, and talks to Mother. Afterward, he has a romantic interlude with Edie but is interrupted to pay a visit to Daisy Jane, owner of The Ark floating brothel. She hires Gunn to find out who the killer is. When Gunn returns to his apartment, much to his consternation he finds Samantha "Sam" who tries to seduce him. Even worse, Edie and a hitman appear at the same time.

Gunn contacts his informants, and after more killings, he and Jacoby descend upon Fusco who seems obviously guilty. Fusco denies it in front of the two, and in a later beating of Gunn, he denies it again, giving a deadline to Gunn—to solve the murder or end up dead himself.

Cast[edit]

Production[edit]

William Friedkin recalled that he met Blake Edwards in September 1966. Edwards told him he was considering a return of the Peter Gunn television show but would begin by making a Peter Gunn feature film. Edwards told Friedkin that Charles Bludhorn, the new head of Paramount thought Lola Albright "too old" to resume her former role and instead wanted an Austrian actress who Edwards rejected. Edwards wanted Friedkin to direct the film but Friedkin thought William Peter Blatty's script was awful, explaining the script was like some of the old television episodes cobbled together rather than something new and exciting.[1][2] Edwards directed the film himself. Blatty was impressed by Friedkin's honesty and asked him to direct The Exorcist (1973). Edwards' film was originally titled[3]—but then only advertised as—Gunn...Number One!; no sequels followed.

As for the above comment that the script was like some of the old television episodes cobbled together, the film Gunn borrows heavily from the Peter Gunn series' pilot, the season 1 episode 1, "The Kill" (mobster's death by fake Coast Guard vs fake police, burial, romantic interlude, meeting at racquetball court, bombing at Mother's), and lifts sequences from three other episodes (girl in Gunn's apartment - "The Briefcase" - season 2, episode 12; chase through the boatyard - "Hollywood Calling" - season 2, episode 22; talking to an informant - "Death Is a Four Letter Word" - season 3, episode 34).

Sherry Jackson tells how she was hired for the movie, "A friend took me to lunch in the noisy Paramount commissary while I was wearing the costume from the Star Trek episode, "What Are Little Girls Made Of?". I'm terribly near-sighted and when we walked in, it got quieter and quieter, so I asked what was happening. Turns out, they were all looking at me. All the seats were full, so we got a table in the director's room where Blake Edwards happened to be sitting. My friend told me he began pointing to me and giving hand signals to Craig Stevens in another part of the room and yelling to him 'Sam! Sam!' That turned out to be a character in Edwards' next film, 'Gunn,' and I was offered the part."

She continues, "But Paramount knew it was not going to be a big hit, so they wanted to use me to promote it."[4]

According to Herbert F. Solow, Paramount executive, he recalled that Sherry Jackson's friend who led her into the commissary was Star Trek actor William Shatner.[5]

Jackson was filmed in a nude scene[6] that appeared only in the international version, not the U.S. release.[7] Stills of the nude scene appeared in the August 1967 issue of Playboy magazine, in a pictorial entitled "Make Room For Sherry".[4]

Although the complete Peter Gunn television series is available on VHS and DVD, the film version of Gunn has never been issued on home video in any format.[citation needed]

Trivia[edit]

In the TV series, Peter Gunn drives Chrysler Corp. convertibles. In this movie, he drives a 1967 Ford Thunderbird hardtop.

Playing the part of Daisy Jane in this movie, Marion Marshall was a veteran of the Peter Gunn t.v. show, having been in the season 1 episode, "The Chinese Hangman," playing the part of Joanna Lund.

Reprising his role as a well-spoken though tipsy informant, J. Pat O'Malley guest-stars as Tinker; he played the essentially same character in the Peter Gunn series' season 2 episode, "The Price is Murder", as Pithias, and in the season 3 episode, "Death Is a Four Letter Word", as Luther.

The only movie songs that originated in the t.v. series are "Peter Gunn" and "Dreamsville".

Julie Andrews mentions in her book, Home Work, that her husband, Blake Edwards, had collaborated with William Peter Blatty in writing several films, including Gunn.[8]

Music[edit]

Director Blake Edwards said, "As I entered the first scoring session of our new "Gunn" film, I was delighted to see that the band contained most of the familiar faces that had done the original TV show."

"Hank (Henry Mancini) and I had discussed the music for the "Gunn" film thoroughly, and he confessed to me that this was to be one of his most difficult assignments. The six years that had passed since the TV 'Peter Gunn' went off the air had seen sweeping changes, not only in jazz, but in all phases of the pop music spectrum."

"As the score unfolded, everyone on that scoring stage agreed that Hank had done what was needed -- he had brought 'Peter Gunn' up to date without sacrificing the feel and excitement of the original. I think you will agree."[9]

In 1967, RCA Victor released, “Gunn ...Number One!", Music from the Motion Picture Score Composed and Conducted by Henry Mancini. It was recorded at RCA Victor's "Music Center of the World" studios in Hollywood, California.

The soundtrack CD, "Gunn ...Number One!", was released by RCA/BMG Music Spain, S.A. in 1999.

Listed on the credits, the featured soloists are: Pete Carroll, trumpet; Dick Nash, trombone; Plas Johnson, Selmer varitone electric sax; Vincent De Rosa, French horn; Ted Nash, alto and baritone sax, flute; Bud Shank, baritone sax; Bob Bain, guitar; Jimmy Rowles, piano; Ray Brown, bass; Shelly Manne, drums; and Larry Bunker, vibes.[10]

Below are the movie song title, durations, and the credited soloists:[11]

Song titles[edit]

  1. "Peter Gunn" – 2:05—Plas Johnson
  2. "A Quiet Happening" – 3:05—Ted Nash, Bud Shank, Ray Brown
  3. "Dreamsville" – 3:46—Larry Bunker, Vincent De Rosa
  4. "Sky Watch" – 3:22—Larry Bunker, Jimmy Rowles, Pete Candoli, Ted Nash
  5. "A Bluish Bag" – 2:53
  6. "Theme for Sam" – 3:10—Jimmy Rowles
  7. "The Monkey Farm" – 2:23—Bob Bain, Ted Nash, Plas Johnson
  8. "A Lovely Sound" – 3:32—Dick Nash
  9. "I Like the Look" – 2:39—Ray Brown, Shelly Manne
  10. "Silver Tears" – 3:31—Larry Bunker, Bob Bain
  11. "Sweet!" – 3:06—Larry Bunker, Pete Candoli, Dick Nash
  12. "Night Owl" - 3:47—Ted Nash
  13. "Bye Bye" - 2:08—Shelly Manne

Craig Stevens (actor)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Craig Stevens
Stevens in 1960
Born
Gail Shikles Jr.

July 8, 1918
Liberty, Missouri, U.S.
DiedMay 10, 2000 (aged 81)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1939–1988
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1944; died 1993)​

Craig Stevens (born Gail Shikles Jr.; July 8, 1918[citation needed] – May 10, 2000) was an American film and television actor, best known for his starring role on television as private detective Peter Gunn from 1958 to 1961.

Early life[edit]

Stevens was born in Liberty, Missouri, to Marie and Gail Shikles.[1] His father was a high school teacher in Liberty and later an elementary school principal in Kansas City, Missouri.[1][2] He studied dentistry at the University of Kansas.[3]

Later, in the early 1940s, he also majored in theatre at the University of Kansas at Lawrence.[4]

Acting career[edit]

Early roles[edit]

Acting with the university's drama club prompted him to halt his studies to audition in the Hollywood film industry. Under the name Michael Gale (a play on his first name), his first screen role was a sailor in Coast Guard (1939). After his debut in a small role in 1939, he adopted the stage name Craig Stevens. For the next period of his film career, he played mainly secondary parts.

He could be glimpsed in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939); Alice in Movieland (1940), a short at Warner Bros; Those Were the Days! (1940); Argentine Nights (1940); Lady with Red Hair (1940) at Warner Bros; and I Wanted Wings (1941), at Paramount.

WWII service[edit]

During World War II he served in the United States Army Air Corps' First Motion Picture Unit based in Culver City, California acting in propaganda and training films. That unit came to be known as "The Culver City Commandos".[5]

Warner Bros[edit]

Stevens signed a contract with Warner Bros. They put him in Affectionately Yours (1941), then in Dive Bomber (1941); the latter starred his future wife Alexis Smith, although they shared no scenes in the film.[6]

Stevens had a support role in Law of the Tropics (1941) and the lead in a short, At the Stroke of Twelve (1941). He was in The Body Disappears (1941) and was third billed in Steel Against the Sky (1941), with Smith top billed.[7]

Stevens's first lead in a feature was Spy Ship (1942), a B movie. He followed it with leads in two other "B"s, Secret Enemies (1942), and The Hidden Hand (1942). He and Alexis Smith married June 18, 1944.[8]

He appeared in films like Three Cadets (1943), Learn and Live (1944), and Resisting Enemy Interrogation (1944). He also appeared in the training film How to Fly the B-26 Airplane (1944).

Stevens had a small role in Since You Went Away (1944) for David O. Selznick and The Doughgirls (1944) for Warners. He played himself in Warners' Hollywood Canteen (1944) and had the lead in Plantation Melodies (1945) playing Stephen Foster.

Stevens had support roles in Too Young to Know (1945), God Is My Co-Pilot (1945), Humoresque (1946), The Man I Love (1946), That Way with Women (1947), Love and Learn (1947), Night Unto Night (1948), and The Lady Takes a Sailor (1949).

Post-Warners[edit]

Stevens appeared on an episode of The Lone Ranger, (episode #35 in 1950 entitled "Bullets for Ballots"), then had support parts in Where the Sidewalk Ends (1950), Blues Busters (1950), Katie Did It (1951) and The Lady from Texas (1951).

Stevens guested on shows like Stars Over Hollywood, The Bigelow Theatre and Hollywood Opening Night as well as appearing in films like Drums in the Deep South (1951) and Phone Call from a Stranger (1951).

Increasingly, Stevens focused on television, appearing in The Unexpected, Gruen Guild Theater, Fireside Theatre, and Chevron Theatre.

Stevens had a lead role in the low budget Murder Without Tears (1953) and was the romantic male lead in Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1953). He had supporting roles in The French Line (1953) and Duel on the Mississippi (1955).

Stevens was in The Revlon Mirror Theater, The Lineup, The Star and the Story, The Eddie Cantor Comedy Theater, Private Secretary, The Pepsi-Cola Playhouse, The Whistler, The Millionaire, Science Fiction Theatre, Matinee Theatre, Four Star Playhouse, Chevron Hall of Stars, The Ford Television Theatre, Jane Wyman Presents The Fireside Theatre , The Gale Storm Show: Oh! Susanna, Mr. Adams and Eve, The Silent Service, Lux Video Theatre, Studio 57, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Loretta Young Show, Schlitz Playhouse, and State Trooper.

On October 29, 1954, Stevens guest-starred on the 1953–1955 ABC sitcom with a variety show theme, The Ray Bolger Show.[9]

In 1956, Stevens and Smith toured the country in a musical Plain and Fancy.[10] They later appeared in King of Hearts.[11]

Stevens had the lead in the sci-fi classic The Deadly Mantis (1957) and was second billed in Buchanan Rides Alone (1958).

Peter Gunn[edit]

Craig Stevens as Peter Gunn (left) with guest stars Lari Laine and Lewis Charles (1959)

In 1958, after 19 years working in films, Stevens gained national prominence for his starring role in the private detective series Peter Gunn, which ran on NBC from September 1958 to September 1960 and then moved to ABC, where it continued for another year.[12][13] The series was produced by Blake Edwards, who also wrote and directed many of the episodes. The iconic theme music for the series was composed by Henry Mancini.[6][14]

On May 7, 1959, Stevens was a guest star on the NBC variety series The Ford Show, Starring Tennessee Ernie Ford. He and Tennessee Ernie Ford did a comedy skit based on Peter Gunn.[15] He sang on The Dinah Shore Chevy Show with Dinah Shore.[16]

During the run of Peter Gunn, Stevens guest starred on Special Agent 7, The Dinah Shore Chevy Show, and The Chevy Show. He shot a pilot called The Mighty O that was not picked up in 1961.

After the show ended he and Smith toured in a 13-week run of Critic's Choice from 1961–62.[11]

Man of the World and Mr Broadway[edit]

After Peter Gunn ended, Stevens was called on by Sir Lew Grade of ITV to move to London, England, to play the lead role in the television series Man of the World in 1962.[17]

During 1963–64, he appeared in the Broadway musical Here's Love, which ran for 334 performances.[18]

In 1964, Stevens followed this series with Mr. Broadway, the 13-week CBS drama in which he starred as Mike Bell.[19]

In 1965, he and Smith toured on stage once more in a production of Mary, Mary.[11]

Stevens and Blake Edwards brought Peter Gunn to the big screen in 1967 with the feature film Gunn. Though it was advertised as "Gunn-Number One", there were no sequels.

TV guest star[edit]

Stevens shot an unsold pilot The Best Years, and guest starred on several television series including The Name of the Game; The Bold Ones: The Lawyers; McCloud; My World and Welcome to It; The Governor & J.J.; My Three Sons; To Rome with Love; Bracken's World; The Virginian; Gunsmoke; Marcus Welby, M.D.; Alias Smith and Jones; Medical Center; Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law; The Rookies; Here's Lucy; Love, American Style; The Snoop Sisters; Circle of Fear; Search; Faraday and Company; and Chase.

He later starred as Professor Higgins in a national touring production of My Fair Lady with Jane Powell.[citation needed] He also made lengthy national tours in Cactus Flower, co-starring again with his wife.

The Invisible Man and later career[edit]

Stevens co-starred with David McCallum in The Invisible Man for a single season on NBC during 1975–1976.

After the series ended, he guest starred on Starsky and Hutch, Gibbsville, Police Woman, and Project U.F.O.. He had a role in Secrets of Three Hungry Wives (1978) and could be seen on The Incredible Hulk; Flying High; The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries; David Cassidy: Man Undercover; B.J. and the Bear; Dallas; The Tony Randall Show; Quincy, M.E.; Happy Days; Fantasy Island; Hotel; The Love Boat; Murder, She Wrote; and Supercarrier.

Stevens reunited with director Blake Edwards in the comedy film S.O.B. (1981). He also appeared in La truite (1982) directed by Joseph Losey and the TV movie Condor (1985).

Stevens's final acting appearance was in the TV movie Marcus Welby, M.D.: A Holiday Affair (1988)

Personal life[edit]

On June 18, 1944, Stevens married actress Alexis Smith at the Church of the Recessional, Forest Lawn.[20] They were married for 49 years,[21] until her death in 1993. They had no children.[6]

Stevens died of cancer at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, on May 10, 2000, at the age of 81.[22]

Legacy[edit]

The year after Stevens's death, funds were granted by his estate to the University of Kansas to endow the Alexis and Craig Stevens Performing Arts Scholarship in the school's theatre department. The scholarship provides financial aid to undergraduate and graduate students studying theatre.[4]

His physical features and performance in the TV series Peter Gunn were the inspiration for the Dutch comics character Agent 327 by Martin Lodewijk.[23]

Partial filmography[edit]