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The Sand Pebbles Overview:

The Sand Pebbles (1966) was a Drama - Romance Film directed by Robert Wise and produced by Robert Wise and Charles H. Maguire.

Academy Awards 1966 --- Ceremony Number 39 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best ActorSteve McQueenNominated
Best Supporting ActorMakoNominated
Best Art DirectionArt Direction: Boris Leven; Set Decoration: Walter M. Scott, John Sturtevant, William KiernanNominated
Best CinematographyJoseph MacDonaldNominated
Best Film EditingWilliam ReynoldsNominated
Best Music - ScoringJerry GoldsmithNominated
Best PictureRobert Wise, ProducerNominated

The Sand Pebbles BlogHub Articles:

The Sand Pebbles

For Jake Holman, nothing really works out, no matter how hard he tries.  He’s the newest crew member on the San Pablo, nicknamed by the crew as The Sand Pebbles, patrolling the interior of China in 1926.  Holman is used to being head engineer and working hard to keep the engine running a... Read full article


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The Sand Pebbles Quotes:

Captain Collins: Holman, I'll have you shot as a mutineer!
Jake Holman: Well shoot something!

Jake Holman: I was home. What happened? What the hell happened?

Captain Collins: Pray for an early spring... or permission to open fire.

Jake Holman: [Holman enters the engine room after boarding the San Pablo. He looks around the room, smiles and places his hand on the machinery] Hello, Engine; I'm Jake Holman.

Jake Holman: I was home. What happened? What the hell happened?
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The Sand Pebbles Facts
Before the film premiered in New York City Twentieth Century-Fox set up a publicity tour for Steve McQueen to promote it. McQueen made rare TV appearances on the Toast of the Town (aka "The Ed Sullivan Show"), What's My Line? and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.

Steve McQueen got his only nomination for an Academy Award (Best Actor) for this film.

Average Shot Length = 5 seconds

During filming on the USS Texas at the San Jacinto Battleground outside Houston, Texas, Steve McQueen sent waves of fear (and consternation) through director Robert Wise when an old friend brought his Triumph motorcycle out to him - McQueen jumped on the motorcycle and roared off, not returning for almost an hour.

Pat Boone badly wanted the lead role. He says he believes he didn't get it because director Robert Wise wanted a "real actor" instead of a singer-turned-actor.

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