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Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (1957)

Director(s) John Huston
Producer(s) Buddy Adler, Eugene Frenke
Top Genres Action, Adventure, Drama, Film Adaptation, War
Top Topics Book-Based, World War II
More Films Directed by John Huston More Films Produced by Buddy Adler More Films from 1957 More Films from the 1950s Top Classic Movies of the 1950s Top Book-Based Films

Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison Overview:

Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (1957) was a War - Adventure Film directed by John Huston and produced by Buddy Adler and Eugene Frenke.

Academy Awards 1957 --- Ceremony Number 30 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best ActressDeborah KerrNominated
Best WritingJohn Lee Mahin, John HustonNominated
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Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison Quotes:

Cpl. Allison, USMC: I, uh... I've never loved anyone or anybody before... I've never even *lived* before. Never really... lived... inside. That's why I want to ask you to marry me. I want to look after you... not only while we're here but for the rest of our lives. So, tell me, ma'am, if there's a chance.
[awkward pause]
Cpl. Allison, USMC: I don't mean to give offense. ma'am, but... is there?
Sister Angela: No, Mr. Allison. You see, I've already given my heart... to Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Cpl. Allison, USMC: Like you was engaged or somethin'?
Sister Angela: Yes.
[shows him her left hand]
Sister Angela: This is the ring, and when I take my final vows, I'll wear a gold one: a marriage ring.
Cpl. Allison, USMC: Oh, I didn't know it was set up like that. I guess I didn't have no right to speak.
[slaps the box beside him, stands up]
Cpl. Allison, USMC: Well, I guess I'll go fix that lean-to for ya!
Cpl. Allison, USMC: Shh! Of course I am, ma'am alive and kickin'. Now, didn't I tell you never to leave this cave?
[wagging his finger at her]
Cpl. Allison, USMC: I am very put out with you...
[she starts to argue]
Cpl. Allison, USMC: yes, I am! *Put out!*
Sister Angela: [Mr. Allison has been drinking sake and is quite drunk] Mr. Allison... what is the matter?
Cpl. Allison, USMC: [barely able to talk] Matter? Nothin's the matter. What makes ya think somethin's the matter?
[Drinks some more]
Cpl. Allison, USMC: Whatcha gotta be a nun for?
[Drinks again]
Cpl. Allison, USMC: That's my luck. That's ol' Allison's luck. If ya gotta be a nun, why ain't ya old and ugly? Why do ya gotta have big blue eyes... and a beautiful smile...
[mumbles into his bottle]
Cpl. Allison, USMC: ... and freckles?
Cpl. Allison, USMC: You don't have to be afraid of me, ma'am. That was just drunk talk. I'd never hurt you! I'd rather *die* first!
Sister Angela: Only God knows what'll happen to us.
Cpl. Allison, USMC: And He won't tell, huh, ma'am?
Sister Angela: He might.
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Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison Facts
Robert Mitchum had just returned from spending four months in Tobago filming Fire Down Below with 'Jack Lemmon' and Rita Hayworth when he learned that his agent had committed him to this movie, filming in Tobago.
Originally when filming began on Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison, her co-star Robert Mitchum worried that Deborah Kerr would be like the prim characters she frequently played. However, after she swore at director John Huston during one take, Mitchum, who was in the water, almost drowned laughing. The two stars went on to have an enduring friendship which lasted until Mitchum's death in 1997.
After spending so much time in Trinidad/Tobago, Robert Mitchum became enamored with Calypso music, so much so that he recorded an album of the stuff. It was called Calypso - Is Like So, and was released on Capitol Records. It features him doing spot on imitations of the style and is still available on CD.
The script called for several Japanese-speaking officers and a company of Japanese troops to be on the island. There were no Japanese men on the islands of Trinidad and Tobago, where the film was shot. A half-dozen who spoke the language were finally found in a Japanese emigrant community in Brazil and flown to the location to play the officers. For the non-speaking roles of Japanese troops, the company hired 50 Chinese who worked in the island's restaurants and laundries. This caused friction with the local islanders, who found it difficult if not impossible to get their clothes cleaned or to get a meal in a restaurant because most of the employees were working on the film.
Mitchum was very enthusiastic about playing the role of the marooned corporal until he learned that director John Huston had first tried to interest Marlon Brando in the role.
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