Swell Hogan

Swell Hogan
Written byRalph Graves
Produced byHoward Hughes
StarringRalph Graves
CountryUnited States
LanguageSilent
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.[7]

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.[8] Hughes is believed to have ordered the film to be destroyed.[4][9]

References

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