Operation Raintree

Operation Raintree (1957)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

This is a decent promo piece from MGM about the making of their Civil War epic RAINTREE COUNTY. The promo runs just under 6-minutes so there's really not too much detail given except for the fact that the studio went to twelve different states trying to find the perfect location before settling on Danville, KY. The film introduces the cast to us but we're given very little actual footage of them, although there are a few nice shots of Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift. The one should-have-been interesting piece is at a parade the day before shooting started when Taylor speaks to the crowd but sadly we don't get to hear what she's saying as it's been muted so that the narrator can talk over here. This was a real shame because it would have been interesting to hear what she had to say. Overall, if you're a fan of the film or the cast then you might want to check this out but I'm going to guess that the majority of people will find very little interest in this thing.

BEING SOME SORT of jettisoned appendage from the 1957 production of: RAINTREE COUNTY, this brief (5 minute) one reeler short is a close relative and immediate family member of the feature film production of RAINTREE COUNTY (MGM, 1957). It is essentially a filmed character witness and apologist for the feature.

THE SHORT PROVES to be one of little wasted time or frames of celluloid; as we are instantly informed about how meticulous was the choosing of various sites throughout the Southern U.S. and the painstakingly degree of perfection that were achieved in rescuing and use of old Railroad locomotive for use in the train scenes. Added to these elements, we learn of how many local residents will be used as costumed extras in this Civil War drama.

THE FILM MAKES good use of behind the scenes footage of the cast including: Elizabeth Taylor, Montgomery Clift, Myrna Hansen, Lee Marvin, Eva Marie Saint, Rod Taylor, Agnes Morehead and Nigel Patrick.

ACTING AS THE Narrator of this movie "infomercial" is our old buddy-pal, George Fennermon (who was Groucho Marx's announcer & favourite comic foil on the old YOU BET YOUR LIFE Show). Although the words were never spoken as such, the message was that of comparing RAINTREE COUNTY to GONE WITH THE WIND.

EVEN THOUGH MR. George never spoke those words, we wonder. Did his nose grow?

What can I possibly say about this dull MGM promotional short for one of their biggest flops--RAINTREE COUNTY--supposed to be their answer to GONE WITH THE WIND.

The film itself is a great big sprawling mess--a large canvas in search of a story. The idea of looking for the magical Raintree is nicely expressed in Johnny Green's rich background score, but that's the only thing besides pretty sets and costumes that the picture has going for it.

This short merely shows cameras, cast and crew getting ready to set up scenes for the film, thanks to the help and cooperation of inhabitants of Danville, Kentucky, where much of the town scenes were filmed. We get barely a glimpse of the stars, the most interesting aspect being the recreation of a railroad station and an old train used for a key scene. Everything else is puffed up to resemble a narrative that will bring people to see the film.

Summing up: As dull as the film itself.

This short is a promo for the 1957 MGM film "Raintree County", and it is occasionally shown on TCM.

The narrator quickly lists the great stars appearing in the film, "necessary to match the greatness of the novel". The search for and use of various locations are discussed. The little town of Danville, Kentucky (the main filming location) is shown welcoming the small army of cast and crew with a parade. The complex details of making a film of this magnitude are illustrated by showing clips discussing the costumes, makeup, props, antique fixtures, posters, the construction of a railroad station, the use of a century old locomotive, film equipment, etc. And this wraps up by mentioning the recruitment and training of 1,500 men for the "Sherman's March" scene, from which a clip is shown. No interviews with cast or crew.

Typical film promo from that era. Not very interesting and quite forgettable. And it comes off sounding like MGM patting themselves on the back for the amount of effort that was going into a film of epic scope (a "Gone with the Wind" wannabe), which unfortunately turned out to be average at best.