The Return of Monte Cristo (1946 film)

The Return of Monte Cristo
Directed byHenry Levin
Screenplay by
Story byCurt Siodmak
Arnold Lippschitz
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyCharles Lawton Jr.
Edited byRichard Fantl
Music byLucien Moraweck
Production
company
Distributed byColumbia Pictures
Release date
  • December 19, 1946 (1946-12-19)
Running time
92 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$658,284[1]

The Return of Monte Cristo is a 1946 American historical adventure film directed by Henry Levin and starring Louis Hayward, Barbara Britton and George Macready. It was produced by Edward Small for distribution by Columbia Pictures. A swashbuckler, it is a sequel to The Count of Monte Cristo (1934) and The Son of Monte Cristo (1940), the latter of which also stars Hayward.[2]

Plot

The grandson of the Count of Monte Cristo is falsely accused of a crime and imprisoned on Devil's Island. He escapes and seeks revenge against those responsible for his imprisonment.

Cast

Production

Edward Small's previous two Monte Cristo films - The Count of Monte Cristo with Robert Donat and Son of Monte Cristo with Louis Hayward - were made through United Artists. However this one was financed with Columbia. It was done using an old commitment Small had with Louis Hayward.[2] Hayward was paid $35,000; director Henry Levin's fee was $6,033.[1] Small provided the package of a script and star, plus some partial funding, but he did not actively produce the film.[3][4] 25% of the budget was Small's overhead; exclusive of that the film cost $526,627 of which $108,853 went on sc script, cast and direction, the rest on production.[1]

Filming started June 1946.

Reception

Reviews were positive.[5]

Edward Small announced plans to star Louis Hayward in The Treasure of Monte Cristo but Glenn Langan played the role instead and Small was not inovlved.[6][7]

References

  1. ^ a b c Dick, Bernard (1993). The Merchant Prince of Poverty Row: Harry Cohn of Columbia Pictures. Lexington, Kentucky: University Press of Kentucky. p. 135.
  2. ^ a b "PARAMOUNT BUYS HARVESTING STORY: Studio Will Produce Houston Branch's 'The Big Haircut' --Lead to Alan Ladd". The New York Times. Hollywood, California. May 11, 1946. p. 23. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  3. ^ "Small's new UA, EL Deals". Variety. July 2, 1947. p. 4.
  4. ^ "If UA-Small renew". Variety. May 15, 1946. p. 4.
  5. ^ Scott, John L. (January 15, 1947). "'Return of Monte Cristo' Exciting Drama". Los Angeles Times. p. A2.
  6. ^ Schallert, Edwin (June 15, 1948). "Again, Monte Cristo! Beery Jr. Joins 'Scout'". Los Angeles Times. p. 22.
  7. ^ Brady, Thomas F. (June 15, 1948). "SMALL PLANS FILM ON 'MONTE CRISTO': Seeks Louis Hayward for Lead in Movie on Dumas Hero -- Beloin Doing Hope Script". The New York Times. p. 33. Retrieved July 9, 2025.