This week’s mystery movie has been the 1957 MGM film “Until They Sail,” with Jean Simmons, Joan Fontaine, Paul Newman, Piper Laurie, Charles Drake, Sandra Dee, Wally Cassell, Alan Napier, Ralph Votrian, John Wilder, Tige Andrews, Adam Kennedy and Mickey Shaughnessy.
The screenplay was by Robert Anderson from a story by James A. Michener, with music by David Raksin and typical schlocky 1950s title song by Sammy Cahn, performed by Eydie Gorme. The film was photographed in CinemaScope by Joseph Ruttenberg, with art direction by William A. Horning and Paul Groesse (Groesse scouted the New Zealand locations) and set decorations by Edwin B. Willis and Henry Grace. The film was produced by Charles Schnee and directed by Robert Wise.
The film is available on DVD from Warner Archive for $19.99.
The film was reviewed twice in the Los Angeles Times, first by Philip K. Scheuer in a feature noting that it was the first of three Michener adaptations coming the screen, to be followed by “Sayonara” and “South Pacific.” He called it “a genuinely moving adaptation … of the long short story about the loneliness and hunger of women without men.”
Edwin Schallert’s Oct. 31, 1957, review carries the bizarre headline “Film Tells of Strange War Loves.”
Writing in the New York Times (Oct. 9, 1957), Bosley Crowther said:
THE terrible loneliness of New Zealand’s women whose men were away at war and the aftermaths of their liaisons with G. I.’s are given serious, if unspectacular, consideration in “Until They Sail.” The feature arrived at Loew’s State yesterday.But despite an adult approach to an important facet of World War II, these romances and blighted affairs seem only wistful remembrances of things past. The genuine tugs at the heart are few and far between in this bittersweet but basically restrained chronicle.
For Monday, we have a mystery guest in a newsboy cap!
Update: This is Wally Cassell
For Tuesday, we have a mystery chap on the phone.
Update: This is Adam Kennedy.
Brain Trust roll call: Michael Ryerson (mystery movie and Monday’s mystery guest) and Don Danard (Monday’s mystery guest).
For Wednesday, we have this mystery chap. He is in hospital, being visited by a mystery guest who will appear Friday.
Update: This is Charles Drake.
Brain Trust roll call: Michael Ryerson (Tuesday’s mystery guest).
For Thursday, we have a semi-mysterious chap.
Update: This is John Wilder.
Brain Trust roll call: Michael Ryerson (Wednesday’s mystery guest), Don Danard (Wednesday’s mystery guest), Howard Mandelbaum (mystery movie and all our mystery guests), B.J. Merholz (Wednesday’s mystery guest), Jenny M. (mystery movie and Wednesday’s mystery guest) and — after a long absence — Tucson Barbara (mystery movie and Wednesday’s mystery guest).
And for Friday:
Mystery couple No. 1.
This is Paul Newman and Jean Simmons. “Until They Sail” was under the Hecht-Lancaster banner at one time, with Burt Lancaster as the lead.
Mystery couple No. 2.
Update: This is Joan Fontaine and Charles Drake. At one point Ava Gardner was considered for this role.
Mystery couple No. 3.
Update: This is Sandra Dee, in her film debut, and John Wilder.
Mystery couple No. 4.
Update: This is Wally Cassell and Piper Laurie. Natalie Wood was considered for this role at one point.
Brain Trust roll call: Michael Ryerson (Thursday’s mystery guest) and Howard Mandelbaum (Thursday’s mystery guest).
ladailymirror.com 
Wally Cassell
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Maybe it’s Fred Griffiths in Passport to Pimlico.
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Interesting guess. But alas, I’m afraid not.
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I don’t know that I think it’s entirely fair of you to pick a frame where the subject’s hand obscures half of his face, however, I’m going to plunk for Sid James.
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Mondays are intended to be the most difficult image of the week, so that anybody who gets a guest — and especially the mystery movie — on a Monday can be pleased with themselves.
And alas, I’m afraid not.
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I’m going to guess Until They Sail (1957)
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Just throwing it out there: “Witness for the Prosecution.”
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Interesting guess. But alas, I’m afraid not.
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Michael Balfour
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Alas, I’m afraid not.
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No. It’s John Slater.
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Alas, I’m afraid not.
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I know it is not, but the cigar chomper has a bit of Robert Newton in him. Which bit I cannot say.
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Yes, I was thinking The Talk Like a Pirate King also but hesitated to chime in.
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He looks like one of the cast of “City Across the River” ..can’t remember his name….but the Bobby in the bg means the shot is from England.
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Leo McKern.
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Alas, I’m afraid not.
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It’s Wally Cassell – “City Across the River”.
And I guess Police Officers back then wore helmets like that!!
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I think Tuesday is going to be Adam Kennedy.
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Just throwing it out there: “The Americanization of Emily.” (I’m planning on doing a lot of throwing out this week.)
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Interesting guess, but alas, I’m afraid not.
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Wednesday is a mysteriously cheerful Charles Drake.
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Rod Taylor today?
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Leif Erickson
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Looks like Charles Drake today.
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UNTIL THEY SAIL: New Zealand, Culver City style, with Wally Cassell, Adam Kennedy, and Charles Drake,
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Oops! It’s Charles Drake
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Wednesday: Van Johnson, “White Cliffs of Dover?”
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Right genre, but alas, I’m afraid not.
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Charles Drake in Until They Sail.
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Tues phone talker looks a lot like old Laramie’s star, John Smith.
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Charles Drake in “Until They Sail.”
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Thursday is a fresh-faced John Wilder.
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John Wilder.
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wow, a cavalry charge of mystery guests for Friday.
Fridays guests Jean Simmons and Paul Newman
Couple no. 1 Joan Fontaine and Charles Drake
Couple no. 2 Sandra Dee and John Wilder
Couple no. 3 Piper Laurie and Wally Cassell
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I knew that was Wally Cassell on monday. Plus Charles Drake on wednesday and the following Paul Newman, Jean Simmons, Joan Fontaine, Piper Laurie, Sandra Dee in UNTIL THEY SAIL.
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Paul Newman & Jean Simmons; Joan Fontaine & Charles Drake; Sandra Dee & John Wilder; Wally Cassell & Piper Laurie.
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Until today I had never heard of this movie. Until They Sail. I know where I was in 1957 so I guess I am excused.
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UNTIL THEY FALL. Paul Newman and Jean Simmons, Joan Fontaine and Charles Drake, Sandra Dee and John Wilder, and Piper Laurie.
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“Until They Sail”!!!! #1 Paul Newman & Jean Simmons, #2 Joan Fontaine & Charles Drake, #3 the adorable Sandra Dee, #4 Wally Cassell (no relation, but love his last name) & Piper Laurie. I’d like to see this movie again.
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Friday #4 are Piper Laurie and Wally Cassell. #2 are Joan Fontaine and Charles Drake. #1 are Jean Simmons and Paul Newman. #3 are Sandra Dee and John Wilder. The movie is Until They Sail.
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Thurs is John Wilder. Wed is Charles Drake.
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Tues is Adam Kennedy
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