What Titanic's Survivors Thought of the Movies

It's 1958 and a major movie is about to be released. The media is going crazy because this is not just any movie. A night to remember. It is based on a legendary book of the same name and details in graphic reality the sinking of the Titanic. What had happened just 46 years earlier, on the red carpet that night was the usual group of producers, directors, writers and actors, including big names of the day like Kenneth Moore, but mixed in with that crowd were three older gentlemen who could have They had gone unnoticed by the press and the crowd, but their story and importance could not be underestimated because they had actually been there that night when the Titanic sank.

Their names were Joseph Boxel, fourth mate, Herbert Pitman, third mate, and saloon steward, Walter Nichols. What these men had experienced that night was Horrendous and they had seen the Titanic plummet with their own eyes now they are about to see it again they walked into the Odom Theater in London and the projector was turned on to Premier one night to remind the world it is a question I get asked Many Titanic

survivors

saw one of the

movies

and, if so,

what

did you think? The answer is yes, many experienced the various films made about the Titanic and fortunately the historical record has recorded their reactions and some may surprise you with their dismay. and those offended by the content and proud and even a Survivor who had to be prevented from joining as an extra to experience the sinking again thanks to the research of historians and some excellent articles in the

titanic

encyclopedia today we will explore the reactions of the

survivors

of the Titanic to the

movies

and see how accurately Hollywood portrayed the story, ladies and gentlemen.

I'm your friend Mike Brady from ocean liner designs and this is

what

the Titanic survivors

thought

about the movies. You've probably seen a movie about the Titanic in At some point, some people avoid the most famous one like the plague simply because it was so popular, but the fact is that the Titanic movies have captivated audiences since the same year in that the ship sank. Now, this story should probably begin in about May 1912. Immediately after the Titanic disaster, the news had now shocked the world and had become one of the first truly successful world news stories and naturally generated an insatiable appetite for souvenir merchandise and the trendy new media of entertainment, silent movies, there was now only one.

The problem with this news is that the real cameraman hadn't bothered to film the Titanic. The ship was so identical in outward appearance to her sister ship Olympic that images of the latter were altered to pass her off as the genuine article that helped cause the Titanic to be lost. Captain Edward Smith also had Skipper Olympic for her inaugural season, so this news reel was shown to a fascinated public and introduced as Titanic, but the telltale sign that it had been faked from the tugs, their names on the log port have been crossed out frame by frame. because they would have said New York and that's where this part of the Olympic footage was filmed and of course the Titanic never made it to New York, it was a cruel and fake trick but it worked.

Documentaries about the Titanic continue to show this footage to this day. but it wasn't a movie in the real sense of the word, just recycled news footage, the race to produce a film about the disaster was on and it leads to probably one of the strangest sagas in all of history. Dorothy Gibson was one of the first movie stars at a time when theater artists were highly regarded, at the age of 22 she had boarded the Titanic in first class and charmed the male passengers in particular, and on the night of the sinking she Had stayed up late playing Wist bridge and along with her mother and a group of some of Wist's bridge players had boarded the first lifeboat to abandon ship, now incredibly almost as soon as she returned to New York, Gibson was attached to a production about the sinking with the aim of profiting from that enormous Unfortunately, international interest in the disaster film has been lost to history, but we now know a little about it.

We probably used the same Olympic footage to give an air of authenticity because the same producer who did that infamous news role was behind it. the new film to give it a more touch of realism Gibson actually used the suit he had worn aboard the lifeboat when he evacuated the saved Titanic ship was released less than a month after the Titanic sank and in fact filming took only a week. Using a Derel transport ship to replace the Lost lighter, the film was a huge success, selling out tickets around the world, but the reviews were not all that good.

Firstly, there was the obvious fact that the film was a callous attempt to profit from the disaster while the victims' bodies were still recovering in the sea, so what did the survivors think of the film? Well, first there's Gibson herself, and while it may seem like she was a willing participant, it seems the truth is a little more uncomfortable than she may have been. She had been manipulated or pressured by the producer with whom she was having an affair. Now throughout production Gibson's nerves were frayed. She cried openly in the middle of filming. Her discomfort did not go unnoticed.

One critic said that Gibson had the appearance of someone whose nerves were broken. Very surprised, another critic denounced the blatant exploitation saying that the very idea of ​​trying to reproduce in a studio, no matter how well equipped it is or through recreated scenes from SE, in case of the atrocious nature of the Titanic disaster with these 1,600 victims, is disgusting, especially at this time when the horrors of the event are so fresh in the mind and that a young girl who so recently arrived with her good mother safe and sound through harrowing scenes can now decide to market her good fortune for the grace of God, it is something that can no longer be understood.

Other survivors

thought

that this film was sadly lost to history, but perhaps the reaction can be gauged by what happened to Gibson next, because she left the movie business for good and Saved from the Titanic became the last film of she. Around the 1950s any serious or worthwhile attempt was made to depict the Titanic disaster on film. Again, by then, most of the Titanic survivors were already elderly, but the passage of time brought some convenient factors for the filmmakers, as many survivors were over 40 years old. The event is now ready to talk about its experiences. Researchers such as Walter Lord were conducting deeper investigations into the disaster.

Lord would publish his findings in the best-selling book A Night to Remember in 1955, but 2 years earlier, in '53, the first major Hollywood film about Titanic was released and many survivors of the real disaster jumped at the chance to go see it. The film, appropriately named Titanic, was released in 1953 to ACC acclaim and boasted a star-studded cast, but objectively the film wasn't all that good as it was full of inaccuracies that will frustrate any serious Titanic nerd, e.g. throughout the sinking and annoying alarm explosions almost non-stop, which of course simply didn't happen in real life, but given the paucity of serious research done on the disaster and the fact that this was Hollywood's first attempt to depict it , the effect was fascinating, of course, the newspapers rushed to interview survivors who had seen it and, fortunately, many did.

Eugene Dy had been a young steerage passenger aboard the Titanic and his survival was notable for the fact that so few passengers of his demographic actually emerged from the ship alive. He became known on the ship for playing the flute when the The ship sailed from Ireland and attempted to board a lifeboat at the beginning of the sinking, but was pulled out by force and ultimately narrowly escaped the sinking ship by helping to free one of the folding boats from the roof of the ship's officers' quarters. , climbing out of the icy water after the ship had floated free of the wreckage when the Titanic came to light in 1953.

Daly was then 72 years old. He highly praised the film, saying that the producers had done a good job of reproducing the feeling of the night since they had not experienced it themselves. He liked it so much that he went to see it a second time, although he did criticize it. The lack of resemblance between actor Brian Aarn and his character, Captain Smith, was especially moved by the depiction of Catholic priests offering absolution as the ship sank, something he said was one of the last places there were. visited from aboard the liner and now other survivors. Reactions to the 1953 film Titanic were mixed at best.

In fact, it's really an interesting depiction of the wide variety of testimony that often conflicts with the event of the night itself and demonstrates at least a little why eyewitnesses can sometimes be a little unreliable. Anna Nen had been another third class passenger, only 22 years old, she often suffered nightmares after the disaster, but in 1953 she overcame her trauma and went to see the film, she cried throughout the process and afterwards said: "I wanted to see the film , not yet, I wouldn't do it." I would feel good if I didn't, but I cried, I remembered some things, the movie was wonderfully made.

Another survivor was Bera Moren, also third class, as she watched the movie and the lifeboats were lowered, she exclaimed, "That's how she thought the movie." She was very good even though reliving the memory of her must have been traumatizing since she had lost her brother in the sinking. Addie Wells was a second class passenger aboard the ship in the movie, she said, "I don't understand how those movie people found out." The scenery looked so real, she said it looked like the Titanic just as she remembered it. Other survivors were less enthusiastic about the film. Percy Oxenham had been a second-class passenger on board the ship and, after surviving, joked that he would not return to England unless a bridge was built. was built on the other side of the Atlantic, criticized the 1953 film first for the depiction of the orchestra playing its instruments to the end, said there was no band playing accompaniment near my God to you, it was impossible to play because all the instruments They were down in the rooms and the hatchers were closed with slats.

This is an unfair criticism because, although Oxenham might not have heard or seen the band, we know, of course, that they actually played his instruments throughout the sinking, but the next point is fair, he noted. that John Jacob Aster, the richest passenger on the Titanic, is depicted as selfishly giving up his place on a ship for a woman with a baby, but in reality Aster had asked to join his wife in a lifeboat, but was denied, So he simply stepped back, Jack Ryson, who had been traveling with his family. In First Class he simply said the movie wasn't real.

Interestingly, other survivors criticize the film for being too depressing in its realistic depiction of the sinking ship, which, if you think about it, is probably more of a compliment to the film's production qualities given the circumstances, survivors Leia Ax and Selena Cook watched the movie together and it made them cry. Leia described it as depressingly realistic, a strange contrast to Cook, who called it good entertainment for everyone. Edie Wells, who had previously commented on the realistic scenarios. and the special effects agreed with Leah Ax when she called it horribly depressing. Now many more survivors saw the film, but the reactions were not recorded.

Historical inaccuracies aside, obviously, the opportunity to relive the events was a big draw for many, whether for closure or like Selena Cook. Set it up for good entertainment, but nothing would come close to hollow blue just 5 years later when Walter Lord's book was turned into a film that still stands today as possibly the most incredibly accurate depiction of the Titanic ever filmed, this time the passengers survivors, the crew and even the ship's own officers were brought in as consultants to help M's accuracy and realism and the results speak for themselves. A Night to Remember is considered one of the best historical films of all time because it did so much to avoid the overdramatization and sensationalism that had been linked to the story of the Titanic for almost 50 years since the sinking of Walter Lord's book came out. trash thanks to their exhaustive research now, fortunately, meant that, when it came time to make the film, thesurvivors he had already interviewed for the book and became friends.

They were eager to help with the film and with the filmmakers' credits. The producers were eager to please him. The film's chief consultant was Joseph Boxel, who had played a key role in The Voyage, The Sinking, and the Evacuation. Because he had been the Titanic's fourth officer, the sinking of the Titanic had been a source of despair for Boxal since he had barely spoken about it, so family and friends were surprised when he agreed to serve as a consultant on the film. . Boxel was naturally a quiet and reserved man on the night of the sinking, he, as one of the junior officers, was on duty and arrived at the bridge just after the collision, made an inspection of the damage and was then assigned the task of calculating the ship's position to receive distress calls.

He sent to the position he was about 15 Mi or 30 km too northwest of the actual disaster site, but was close enough for the rescue ship Carpathia to arrive to pick up the survivors a few hours later. Now this was not really an indictment of his seamanship because Captain Smith himself also made an incorrect calculation that was even more wrong, it could have been due to the strange atmospheric conditions that altered the size and brightness of the stars in the sky despite the clarity of the afternoon. The ship sank about half an hour before she took her final step, and when she finally boarded the Carpathia the next morning, his voice had cracked with emotion as he reported to the captain of the rescue ship what had happened. happened.

The experience did not dampen his enthusiasm for At Sea - in fact, he went on to serve aboard the Titanic's sister ship Olympic - but he was always reluctant to remember the disaster he had experienced when he first heard about a night to remember. . He wasn't impressed and didn't really want to participate. production, but he was gradually convinced thanks in part to his friend Commodore Harry Grage, who had commanded many famous liners after two months of back and four boxhall, agreed to help saying that it was his duty to see how the old ship sank properly now that it could.

It began reluctantly, but in the end her participation in the film became a real source of closure for Boxel, who found a new chance in life thanks to it. Originally she said she would not even leave her home in Christ Church, but the images They show him walking. wistfully around the production set together to remember, he said: I have great admiration for those film guys who had to endure each take three times in the October cold while stumbling around in Ru slip Reservoir. Boxall attended the film's premiere. in 1958 and sadly his deepest thoughts on the film were never made public, he said he was pleased with the result and impressed by the amount of money actually spent on the film, but luckily we have this fascinating photo of Boxel sitting watching the film. him filming himself what he was thinking as he relived the events of that night, of course, we will never know, but he is definitely captivating now.

Joseph Boxel was not the only senior member of the team to see the film. Herbert Pitman had been the third officer of the Titanic. film at the premiere with his former colleague Boxel and said that the film is an excellent representation of what happened and I don't remember a single technical error Syia Loler was the widow of Second Officer Charles Loler played by the film's star Kenneth Moore In fact, Sylvia is seen here being kissed by Moore in this rare Real News film. She had also been a consultant on the film. In fact, she was portrayed at the beginning of the film.

She was glowing in praise of Moore's portrayal of her husband and said. the film is really the truth and has not been embroidered, there is no doubt that Loler, who died a few years earlier, would probably have taken the opportunity to help on the project also now, another VI from the set of Night to Remember was Edith Russell, No. Rosenb, she is one of those Titanic characters that is so memorable, she was very energetic and extremely direct, she had traveled first class and tried to take out insurance for her large amount of trunks and belongings, but she said she was told that, since that the Titanic was practically unsinkable. was now unnecessary, on the night of the sinking, he said he had seen the iceberg slide past his cabin window while he was undressing, he quickly reported to the lifeboat stations on the ship's deck and now, later, sent his stellar He returned to his cabin to retrieve a prized possession of his, which was a small musical toy.

Pig Edith became an accomplished journalist and even reported from the front lines of the First World War, but she was never afraid to talk about her experience in the sinking of the Titanic. and since she was being photographed on a night to remember she was invited to the set and what she saw left a great impression the film's producer William McQuitty toured her and the normally talkative Russell was stunned she stayed silent for a while watching he placed her about a third of the ship's deck with two imposing funnels and all the lifeboats on their davits.

I can't believe it, she said this is where I stood once the movie came out. Russell quickly got around to seeing her and she had really mixed comments, she said Captain Smith is perfect, also the set and dinner setting, the dining room perfect, but they make me put my jewelry aside and take the pork The State Room, all different from the facts and is an objective film that is now probably one of the most moving reactions from anyone who visited the set were from Helen Melville Smith, who was actually Captain Smith's daughter. She was just 14 when her father died with Titanic and surviving letters portray Smith as a loving and devoted father when Helen visited the set.

She came face to face with Lawrence Naith, who was actually playing her father, and she was understandably excited by the whole experience. Now, one of the funniest stories about the production of a gentleman to remember involves the survivor Lawrence Beasley, now that he had actually boarded as a Second Class Passenger, in fact, he makes a small cameo in one of the most famous shots taken On board the ship, in the first class gym, unlike others, he did not hesitate to talk about the disaster; In fact, he published a memoir just nine weeks after the sinking. When he heard about the production of Night to Remember in 1957, the 80-year-old took charge of Gate Crash production by sneaking onto the set dressed in period-correct clothing from 1912, a section of the ship's deck had been recreated for scenes of the final dive and Beasley was apparently eager to go down with the ship once more, but at the last moment before the cameras began rolling, he was spotted and the game ended apparently because of the rules of the Actors Union, but also probably because he subdued an 80-year-old man. -Iced water and a sloping roof were discouraged.

Beasley was asked to leave the set. Many passengers watched T Night to Remember, possibly because its reputation is an accurate representation and the fact that consultants had been used began to spread among the remaining survivors. and the general public only increased his appeal: the surprising insights that came from survivors around the world Richard Norris Williams had been a first-class passenger and a budding tennis player; in fact, he had traveled with his father and, on the night of the sinking, the The couple had remained on the ship until the last minute, they were part of the crowd fighting around the folding lifeboats in the first funnel, then that funnel that collapsing had barely missed Richard, who watched in amazement as it crashed right on top of his father and was pulled from the water by many more, but his time in the freezing and cold had taken a huge toll on him.

His legs probably needed amputation thanks to frostbite, but Norris refused. He overcame his condition and became an accomplished tennis star, winning competitions even since In 1912 he saw the film and said that the realism of it was moderate, but vivid in the depiction of him. He could envision it happening again, particularly the collapsing funnel scenes were something he described as chilling even to Lawrence Beasley, who tried to sneak onto the set. He got to see the film and fortunately, his actual response was captured by news cameras. I thought it was most extraordinary. I had no idea that realism could be produced in such a wonderful way.

Others were excited about the movie Gretchen Longley had been in. first class and she said she had to cry as she kept thinking about that beautiful ship and all those wonderful people. She was returning from Europe with my two aunts. I turned down the only remaining spot on the third lifeboat to stay with them, but we found space. on the fourth ship now some of the comments were very positive the writer May Futrell had lost her husband the author and journalist Jaqu Futrell in the sinking obviously the anticipation for the premiere of the film was great, then they asked her what she thought and she said Yes' I had wondered that the first time I saw it I couldn't have told you because I was too upset, but after the second screening I can tell you that I think it is remarkably accurate, honest and moving, a more inaccurate film has been written about and without sense. the Titanic that I have time to tell you about, but speaking of the parts of that image that relate to my own experiences and what I saw and heard, I can only tell you that this is how it happened.

I've been there and I know the sad truth. is that the vast majority of survivors who watched A Night to Remember found the experience too emotionally draining. Renee Harris, the theater's producing director, was traveling first class with her husband when he bought her a lifeboat and actually jumped out of it, so she was desperate to stay with him, but was eventually evacuated just before the ship's final descent, while her husband Henry was left behind and lost 46 years later, the pain was still too much. I'm afraid I am one. She said she couldn't. I managed to attend the premiere, but I submitted to watching it privately.

I only saw the beginning. It was so realistic that I couldn't accept it. In fact, at a special screening of the film before its general release, she had left the theater. I will do that. I never saw the rest of this, she said she took me too realistically to that night. She later said it was a night to forget. Now the same thing happened with two other survivors, Anab Bolton and Eva Hart. Anna said simply that as the ship began to sink. I left. Eva was only 7 years old when she played Titanic, but memories of her were still fresh and vivid.

She reflected on a night to remember when she said my personal feelings were mixed. I thought and still think it was a really wonderful movie. The doubt can be improved, but there were one or two scenes of the actual sinking that I couldn't bear to see, although I have seen them many times. I still close my eyes when they appear on the screen. One Survivor's reaction to the film is particularly moving even without any recorded verbal testimony Emma Bliss was a stewardess on board the ship in 1958, she was over 90 years old and watched the film emotionally supported by her nurse, her thoughts were not recorded, but a series of photographs of the display show it. just breaking up next to the sinking now naturally as time went by the number of Titanic survivors started to dwindle as they went on when the 70's, 80's and 90's came along with the next batch of Titanic movies. ready for production there were very few people left who could actually remember the night of the sinking in 1997 James Ceron Titanic was released to great global success, naturally it sparked a huge resurgence and interest in the Titanic story and there was a Mad Dash to secure the thoughts . of the survivors, the only problem was that there were very few left Elanor Johnson was only 2 years old aboard the Titanic and her survival was also notable because very few third class children had made it out alive; in fact, survival rates were around 40%. or less, of course, she couldn't really remember the events of the night, but she had vague memories of being squeezed into a lifeboat in her mother's arms and the screams of the people around her.

Elanor was moved by the film, but still enjoyed it. I actually watched it twice and especially enjoyed the opening scenes of the ship at the bottom of the ocean. Other parts were difficult for him to see. I cried a lot. She said that Milina Dean was the last living survivor of the shipwreck and her opinion of the films was Simply put, she too had been just a child aboard the Titanic, but the disaster had left a lasting impact because she lost her father in the sinking. Seeing a night to remember in the 1950s had brought her nightmares and in 1997 she refused.emphatically to see James Cameron's movie for her it was all too real the Titanic was a tragedy that destroyed so many families she said I lost my father and he lies in that shipwreck I think it is disrespectful to entertain such a tragedy in May 2009 milina Dean passed away at the age of 97 years old putting an end to the living memory of the Titanic now all we can do is rely on testimonies and investigations to bring that fateful night to life, but fortunately thanks to newspaper reports and rare interviews we have a idea of ​​what many Titanic survivors thought. disaster in the years since and her reaction to Hollywood's attempts to recreate it, ladies and gentlemen, is her friend Mike Brady of Ocean liner designs.

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