Swell Hogan Explained

Swell Hogan
Producer:	Howard Hughes
Starring:	Ralph Graves
Country:	United States
Language:	Silent
Budget:	$80,000

Swell Hogan is an unreleased 1926 American film written by and starring Ralph Graves. A sentimental comedy, it is about a Bowery bum who helps orphans.^{[1] [2] [3]} It was financed by Howard Hughes and was his first production.^[4] Sources differ as to whether Hughes did^{[3] [5]} or did not^[6] direct it. IMDb credits Graves as the director.

Graves persuaded Hughes to put up the money, claiming that it would only take $40,000.^[6] In the end, it was double that amount.^[6] After the film was completed, Hughes screened the finished product several times and thought it was a disaster; his uncle Rupert Hughes, a film director and screenwriter, confirmed that opinion.^[7] Hughes is believed to have ordered the film to be destroyed.^{[4] [8]}

Notes and References

1. Book: Longworth, Karina. Seduction: Sex, Lies, and Stardom in Howard Hughes's Hollywood. November 13, 2018. HarperCollins. 9780062440532. Google Books.
2. Book: Thomas, Tony. Howard Hughes in Hollywood. November 22, 1985. Citadel Press. 9780806509761. Google Books.
3. Web site: The Real Howard Hughes Story. Nelson C.. Madden. November 22, 1976. Manor Books. Google Books.
4. Lost Hughes pix surface . McCarthy . Todd . November 28, 2004 . Variety.
5. Web site: The Moneymakers: The Great Big New Rich in America. Lamott. Kenneth Church. 1969.
6. "Nice town. I'll take it." Howard Hughes and Hollywood . Brand . Paul . January 31, 2005 . Bright Lights Film Journal.
7. Web site: Howard Hughes and the Creation of Modern Hollywood. Jeffrey. Richardson. July 4, 2019. Fonthill Media. Google Books.
8. Book: Porter, Darwin. Howard Hughes: Hell's Angel. November 22, 2005. Blood Moon Productions, Ltd.. 9780974811819. Google Books.