Raw Wind in Eden explained

Raw Wind in Eden
Director:	Richard Wilson
Producer:	William Alland
Screenplay:	Elizabeth Wilson Richard Wilson
Based On:	Dan Lundberg Elizabeth Wilson (From a story by)
Starring:	Esther Williams Jeff Chandler
Music:	Hans J. Salter
Cinematography:	Enzo Serafin
Editing:	Russell F. Schoengarth
Color Process:	Eastmancolor
Studio:	Universal International Pictures
Distributor:	Universal Pictures
Runtime:	93 minutes
Country:	United States
Language:	English
Gross:	$1.1 million^[1]

Raw Wind in Eden is a 1958 American CinemaScope South Seas film noir directed by Richard Wilson and starring Esther Williams, Jeff Chandler.

Plot

Frustrated while having a fling with a married man, fashion model Laura is persuaded to fly in playboy Wally Drucker's private plane to a party aboard a yacht. The plane crashes near a small Mediterranean island, where a man named Moore, the native Urbano, and the latter's daughter, Costanza, seem to be the only people there.

Laura is unhurt but Wally's injuries are treated by Moore, a former World War II medic. Moore is vague about his past or why he is living in this solitary fashion. Laura's interest in him makes Drucker jealous and irritates Costanza, who is herself desired by an older man from a nearby island who wishes to marry her.

A beached yacht belonging to Moore is found. It turns out he was a wealthy man from North Carolina suspected of murdering his wife, who drunkenly fell from the boat and drowned. Moore gave his millions to charity and dropped out of sight. Moore must fight the other men for Laura, who then persuades him to sail back to America and begin a new life.

Cast

• Esther Williams as Laura
• Jeff Chandler as Mark Moore / Scott Moorehouse
• Rossana Podestà as Costanza Verno
• Carlos Thompson as Wally Drucker
• Rik Battaglia as Gavino
• Eduardo De Filippo as Urbano Verno

Production

The film was originally known as The Islander.^[2]

John Gavin was meant to appear in the film. Accordingly, he was replaced on The Female Animal by George Nader. However, Gavin did not make the cast.^[3]

Filming started in Italy in June 1957.^[4] It was shot off the Tuscan coast between Rome and Pisa.^[5]

It was the last film made by William Alland under his long term arrangement with Universal.^[6]

See also

• List of American films of 1958

Notes and References

1. Top Grossers of 1958. Variety. 7 January 1959. 48. Please note figures are for US and Canada only and are domestic rentals accruing to dsitributors as opposed to theatre gross
2. News: Looking at Hollywood: Colorful 'Islander' Role Goes to Jeff Chandler. Hopper, Hedda. May 2, 1957. Chicago Daily Tribune. c6.
3. News: UNIVERSAL CASTS TWO IN NEW FILM: Jane Powell, George Nader to Appear in 'Female Animal' --Actor Replaces Gavin. THOMAS M. PRYOR. May 17, 1957. New York Times. 19.
4. News: FILM PACT SIGNED BY GREENE, ROUSE: They Will Work Separately and as Team in Exclusive Associated Artists Deal Of Local Origin. THOMAS M. PRYOR. June 3, 1957. New York Times. 30.
5. News: OBSERVATIONS ON THE ITALIAN SCREEN SCENE: Between "Takes" Promising Talent Full Schedule Vanguard. ROBERT F. HAWKINSRobert F. Hawkins. Aug 4, 1957. New York Times. X5.
6. News: TWO STUDIOS SUED OVER SCRIPT USE: Warners, Universal Charged With Story Appropriation-- Alland to Produce Alone Universal Producer Quits. July 20, 1957. New York Times. 9.