Captain Nordahl, an associate in a Norwegian whaling company, Bland-Nordahl, is on a factory shipSouthern Harvester in Antarctic waters, when he is lost overboard.
Duncan Craig, an American, meets Judie Nordahl, the captain's daughter on his way to South Africa, where he gets even with a business partner who cheated him. With little money left and a desire to see Judie again, Craig signs on to be a mate on the ship taking Judie to Antarctica.
On arrival in Antarctic waters, Craig finds suspicious evidence that seems to implicate skipper Erik Bland, the new captain of the factory ship, in a conspiracy. Another murder follows and the film concludes with a dramatic showdown on the ice.
The movie was based on a 1949 British novel The White South by Hammond Innes. Film rights were obtained by Warwick Productions who had a deal with Columbia Pictures to make films in Britain.[4]
The movie was the second in a two-picture deal Ladd made with Warwick Films, following The Red Beret.[5][6][7][8] (He also made The Black Knight for Warwick.) Ladd's fee was $200,000 against 10% of the profits.[9][10]
During production the film was also known as White South and White Mantle.[11] Director Mark Robson wanted Eugene Pallette to play a role but Pallette was unhappy with the size of the part in the script.[12] Stanley Baker, who had been in The Red Beret with Ladd, was brought back for Hell Below Zero.[13]
According to one report the film had a budget of approximately $1 million.[9] Records revealed the final budget was £247,512 plus the fees of Ladd, Broccoli and Allen, screenwriter Maibaum and the director.[1]
The makers of a sound documentary called Hell Below Zero sued the filmmakers for $1.5 million in damages.[16]
Release
The film was launched in Britain with what Variety called "slambang, saturation technique" of marketing.[17]
Reception
Critical
Variety called the film "a vigorous action drama which should play sturdy dividends at the box office."[18]
Box office
According to Kinematograph Weekly the film was a "money maker" at the British box office in 1954.[19]Variety estimated its North American rentals at $1.7 million.[2]
References
12Chapman, J. (2022). The Money Behind the Screen: A History of British Film Finance, 1945-1985. Edinburgh University Press p 358
12"1954 Box Office Champs". Variety Weekly. January 5, 1955. p.59. - figures are rentals in the US and Canada
↑Broccoli, Albert R. & Zec, Donald (1999). When the Snow Melts: The Autobiography of Cubby Broccoli. Trans-Atlantic Publications.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
↑"STUDIOS PLANNING 2 ALAN LADD FILMS: Warwick and Columbia to Join in Offering 'The Red Beret' and 'The White South'". New York Times. July 15, 1952. p.17.
↑"LADD PLANS MOVIE OF A WHALING TRIP: Actor to Make 'White South,' About Antarctic Expedition, Abroad for Irving Allen". New York Times. November 3, 1952. p.36.
12Scheuer, Philip K. (June 13, 1954). "A TOWN CALLED HOLLYWOOD: Producers Want English Clear--Even in Oklahoma". Los Angeles Times. p.D4.
↑"ROBSON TO DIRECT WHALING PICTURE: Ladd Stars in 'White Mantle,' to Be Filmed in England for Warwick Productions". New York Times. December 3, 1952. p.45.
↑Schallert, Edwin (February 7, 1953). "Freeman Gives Light on New 3-D Process; Ryan Set for 'Inferno'". Los Angeles Times. p.13.
