Robert L Lippert, a notorious skinflint as a producer, caring much more about profits than quality much less art, once stopped a film in production for running over budget, it's director begging him to allow a scene or two more in order to make sense of the story, refused and released it as is, with an unresolved story line. And it made money.
His films, most made for less than 100K, and seldom aiming at a better than mediocre product were always profitable, as he had a knack for choosing entertaining stories and hiring excellent actors on the cheap.
He did however, despite their low budgets, make a few classics. Little Bighorn with Lloyd Bridges, John Ireland, Marie Windsor and a group of excellent character actors caught lightening in a bottle with a great story, was one of these.
Two others, coincidentally (or maybe not) also starring Bridges were Rocketship X-M, and The Tall Texan the last with a supporting cast under investigation by HUAC, thus temporarily blackballed and so desperate for money including Bridges himself, also included Lee J Cobb and Luther Adler. All three made in the early '50s continue to hold up well into the current century despite their miserly budgets because of their great stories and exceptionally fine acting.
His films, most made for less than 100K, and seldom aiming at a better than mediocre product were always profitable, as he had a knack for choosing entertaining stories and hiring excellent actors on the cheap.
He did however, despite their low budgets, make a few classics. Little Bighorn with Lloyd Bridges, John Ireland, Marie Windsor and a group of excellent character actors caught lightening in a bottle with a great story, was one of these.
Two others, coincidentally (or maybe not) also starring Bridges were Rocketship X-M, and The Tall Texan the last with a supporting cast under investigation by HUAC, thus temporarily blackballed and so desperate for money including Bridges himself, also included Lee J Cobb and Luther Adler. All three made in the early '50s continue to hold up well into the current century despite their miserly budgets because of their great stories and exceptionally fine acting.