Un amor espera

James Fransiscus was Mr. Novak on TV and landed the star role in this film after Jack Warner fired Warren Beatty from this film.. Beatty after 2 weeks of rehearsals on the WB Lot refused to sign his contract. Warner exploded and banned Beatty from the WB Lot. In a jam Warner picked James Fransiscus to star in this film directed by Delmer Davis with a great cast that included Suzy Pleshette and lovely French actress Genevieve Page. I recall Rita Hayworth one of the biggest stars in movies during the 40's and 50's and Queen of the Columbia Lot had to test for the role eventually played by Ms. Page. James Franciscus was at the time of filming son in law of famed director Bill Wellman.

Troy Donahue was the star of Delmer Daves: Summer Place, Pasrish, Susan Slade and Rome Adventure why wasn't he cast as Youngblood Hawke? Troy was at the time a huge star at WB.

This is a fine film with top notch WB production values. After Beatty left the film the studio decided to film it in black and white rather than color.

I have a feeling the back story of this film's production would be more intriguing than the film itself.

Of all the melodramas Delmer Daves made in the sixties,"Youngblood Hawke" is perhaps the least interesting ;it was probably intended to match the scale and the duration of "Parrish",James Franciscus replacing Troy Donahue -who in "Susan Slade " was also a writer who finally found an editor .Suzanne Pleshette was Donahue's co-star in "Rome adventure".Daves ,who ditched westerns ,his forte in the fifties,is on home ground.But there is something hollow in this success story:unlike "Parrish" ,the movie drags on -you could easily cut 30 min-and French Genevieve Page's (and her deep voice)role is too underwritten to justify the tragedy that happens to her -compare to Ingrid Bergman's one in Rosselini's "Europe 51" to see what THAT tragedy means.

Even social criticism -overnight success whereas your books ,if we are to believe the critics ,are nothing but novelettes- does not ring true for we know little or almost nothing of the writer's literary talents.

Handsome blond James Franciscus (as Arthur Youngblood Hawke) goes from small town Kentucky truck driver to successful New York City novelist. Nice editor Suzanne Pleshette (as Jeanne Green) desires Mr. Franciscus, but sexually arousing older woman Genevieve Page (as Frieda) turns the sheets in his bed. The problem is that Ms. Page is married to a millionaire and finds it difficult to give up her lifestyle, although Franciscus seems to be the most tempting in a string of hunky young lovers. Both Page's son Pat Cardi and Franciscus' mother Mildred Dunnock walk in on their passionate embraces...

Franciscus and Page are attractive and passionate in this trimmer, happier version of Herman Wouk's novel, but Ms. Pleshette is sadly underused. The story features the typical corrupting influence of life in the fast lane, with a stinging indictment of adultery. "Youngblood Hawke" benefits mostly from beautiful black-and-white photography by Charles Lawton, directed with occasional brilliance by Delmer Daves. In hindsight, the lack of expected Technicolor for this type of film is a plus. In small roles, golden age movie star Mary Astor and glamorous Eva Gabor contribute to the overall glossy look.

****** Youngblood Hawke (11/4/64) James Franciscus, Genevieve Page, Suzanne Pleshette, Mildred Dunnock

Youngblood Hawk is more than just a story about a writer. Similar to Executive Suite, we are shown the "inner workings" of a process that most people at the time were not aware of, and the personal relationships of the people involved; here, we see the book editing process, and how a young writer (James Franciscus) from suburbia comes to New York and takes the town by storm. In one of the opening scenes, a critic, played by Edward Andrews, tells him a story of the stag who must outrun the hounds to survive, an apt lesson for a truck driver trying to make it in the big city. (Andrews always played the Colonel, the General, the statesman, and was a riot in Glass Bottom Boat.) Suzanne Pleshette plays Jeanne Green, Hawk's editor. Pleshette, had just made "The Birds" with Hitchcock, the year before, and will probably be best known as Bob Newhart's wife on the B. Newhart show in the 1970s. Unfortunately, Pleshette's southern drawl comes and goes in this one. French actress Geneviève Page is Frieda Winter, who introduces Hawk to all the right people who can help his career. Viewers will also recognize Mary Astor as Irene Perry, who makes an appearance about halfway through. Also keep an eye out for Martin Balsam and Werner Klemperer. And even Eva Gabor has a couple lines. Good, solid, entertaining, (LONG) story. It's got some flaws, but its entertaining enough. Written by Herman Wouk, who also did Caine Mutiny and The Winds of War. Wikipedia says this is loosely based on Thomas Wolfe... very loosely. Lots of changes in the story and facts. Directed by Delmer Daves, who wrote and directed many of our classic films. His films all have great pacing, and good solid plots.

This film feels more like an 80s miniseries, glossy, melodramatic, padded and EIGHT HOURS LONG. There is no need for this film to be nearly 150 minutes long.

The three stars are the reason to watch this. James Franciscus is handsome and incredibly appealing as the lead. Suzanne Pleshette is wasted again as the second banana beautiful smart girl. Even if Warner Brothers rarely found her a good role while they had her under contract, they at least knew how to coif and dress her. She is gorgeous. Genieve Page is glamorous, stunning and gives the best performance of the movie.

This films seems to meander along with some melodramatic moments thrown in to keep it going. It is stilted and doesn't gel or flow. It is still glossy and entertaining.