Lydia Bailey

This article is about the film. For the novel, see Lydia Bailey (novel). For the printer, see Lydia Bailey (printer).

Lydia Bailey is a 1952 American historical adventure film directed by Jean Negulesco and starring Dale Robertson, Anne Francis and Charles Korvin. It was made by 20th Century Fox and based on the 1947 novel of the same name by Kenneth Roberts.^[2]

Lydia Bailey
Original film poster
Directed by	Jean Negulesco
Screenplay by	Michael Blankfort Philip Dunne
Based on	Lydia Bailey by Kenneth Roberts
Produced by	Jules Schermer
Starring	Dale Robertson Anne Francis Charles Korvin
Cinematography	Harry Jackson
Edited by	Dorothy Spencer
Music by	Hugo Friedhofer
Production company	20th Century Fox
Distributed by	20th Century Fox
Release date	June 2, 1952 (1952-06-02)
Running time	89 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Box office	$1.75 million (US rentals)[1]

Plot

In 1802, American lawyer Albion Hamlin travels from Baltimore to Cap-Français in Saint-Domingue during the Haitian Revolution. He wants to obtain the signature of Lydia Bailey, whose late father left his large estate to the American government, which needs the money. Saint-Domingue is in turmoil as French troops are being sent by Napoleon to reclaim control of the colony from Toussaint Louverture.

Albion learns that Lydia is with her fiancé, French Colonel Gabriel D'Autremont, in the outskirts of Cap-Français. Albion goes to the American consulate in the city, but is shocked when his young guide Nero is attacked by men trying to steal his luggage. They attack him too but he is able to fight them off and rescue Nero with the help of a kind stranger.

Albion learns that Lydia and Gabriel are living at their rural estate further inland. He is knocked unconscious, and wakes up to find out he was knocked out by the stranger who previously saved him, an educated Black man named King Dick who supports Louverture. He tells Albion that there are many dangers as there are other gangs of armed men roaming the countryside who block their way, and who don't look kindly at anyone they think is pro-French.

He reluctantly follows King Dick to D'Autremont's estate and finally meets with Lydia. She agrees to sign Albion's documents, but French troops arrive in Saint-Domingue and war breaks out, with Gabriel joining the city garrison of Cap-Français. Louverture's troops attack the estate, and Albion and Lydia make their way through the jungle back to the bay with King Dick's help and eventually board the American ship which brought Albion to Saint-Domingue.

Cast

• Dale Robertson as Albion Hamlin
• Anne Francis as Lydia Bailey
• Charles Korvin as Col. Gabriel D'Autremont
• William Marshall as King Dick
• Luis Van Rooten as General Charles LeClerc
• Adeline de Walt Reynolds as Antoinette D'Autremont
• Angos Perez as Paul D'Autremont
• Bob Evans as Soldier
• Gladys Holland as Pauline Bonaparte
• Will Wright as Consul
• Roy E. Glenn as Mirabeau
• Ken Renard as Toussaint L'Ouverture
• Juanita Moore as Marie
• Carmen de Lavallade as Specialty dancer
• Jack Cole as Dancer
• Martin Wilkins as Voodoo priest
• Albert Morin as Lieutenant
• William Washington as Deckhand
• Clancy Cooper as Codman
• Muriel Bledsoe as Ametiste
• Mildred Boyd as Marmeline
• Marjorie Elliott as Rosida
• Suzette Harbin as Floreal
• Roz Hayes as Aspodelle
• Dolores Mallory as Claircine
• Lena Torrence as Attenaire
• Frances Williams as Cloryphene
• Ken Terrell as Barbe
• Louis Mercier as Millet
• William Walker as General La Plume

Production

Original novel

The novel was Roberts' first since Olivier Wiswell in 1940. It was published in January 1947. The New York Times called it "an entertaining chronicle" with a "preposterous plot".^[3] The book became a best seller.^[4]

Development

20th Century Fox first obtained the rights to Kenneth Robert's novel in September 1946, prior to the book being published. They paid $215,000 for a ten-year "lease" on the novel.^[5] Fox representatives said they had not even read the book, basing their sale on Roberts' reputation and an outline.^[6] William Perlberg was assigned to be producer.^[7] The following month that job was given to Sol Siegel.^[8] Gene Tierney was the first star announced.^[9]

Filming was pushed back after the British government introduced a tax on Hollywood films. This meant the loss of profits in England, which would be crucial in what would be an expensive movie. (Fox also delayed production of other costume pictures which would be expected to make money in Britain, including The Black Rose, Julie and Down the Sea to the Ships).^[10]

In April 1948 the project was reactivated, with plans to make the movie using "frozen" funds owed to Fox in England and the Bahamas.^[11] In June, Fox announced that Philip Dunne was writing a screenplay, and Linda Darnell would likely play the title role.^[12]

However filming did not proceed. By May 1949, Susan Hayward, who had signed to Fox, was being mentioned as a star.^[13] In September Zanuck said the film would go into production "shortly".^[14]

In February 1950, Fox said Tyrone Power would play the male lead.^[15] Plans to film in Haiti were delayed by disturbances in that part of the world. In November Jules Shernberg was appointed producer.^[16] Micheline Prelle was announced as star.^[17]

In June 1951 Power refused the role.^[18] Power said he had filmed five historical-period films in a row and wished to do a film where "people talk normally and not in stilted dialogue."^[19]

Errol Flynn claimed he was slapped in a bar by Canadian millionaire Duncan McMartin which he said aggravated a spinal injury and meant he was unable to take part in the film. He sued McMartin in the Bahamas Supreme Court for £80,000, which included his reported fee for Lydia Bailey, $200,000.^[20] The court awarded Flynn $14,000 in damages.^[21]

The lead was given to one of Fox's postwar contract players, Dale Robertson. Another contractee, Anne Francis, played Lydia.^[22]

Jean Negulesco signed to direct it under a new four-year deal with Fox.^[23]

Shooting

With Fox's option on the novel running out, the film was shot at the 20th Century Fox Movie Ranch and backlot of Fox's California studios.

This was also the film debut of William Marshall.