Question 1

Why did Duke Ellington's score for Assault on a Queen have only five of his cues in the final film?

Accepted Answer

Duke Ellington had to leave scoring the film to go on tour. Van Cleave and Frank Comstock were brought in to orchestrate, finish the score, and arrange material. Only five of Ellington's cues survived.

Question 2

What is the historical inaccuracy about the Queen Mary's designation in Leonard Maltin's Movie and Video Guide?

Accepted Answer

The 2003 edition of Leonard Maltin's 'Movie and Video Guide' refers to the ocean liner as 'HMS Queen Mary', implying it was a warship. Its correct designation is 'RMS', meaning 'Royal Mail Steamer' or 'Royal Mail Ship'.

Question 3

What prototype feature did the Coast Guard cutter in the film display?

Accepted Answer

The Coast Guard cutter featured in the film displays the prototype of the modern racing stripe now used on all cutters. It was designed by Raymond Loewy / William Snaith and adopted servicewide on April 6, 1967.

Question 4

What happened to the RMS Queen Mary after the film's release?

Accepted Answer

Filmed in the penultimate year of cruising for the RMS Queen Mary. She was withdrawn from service at the end of 1967 and sold to Long Beach, California for use as a hotel, museum, and tourist attraction.

Question 5

What is ironic about the hat colors worn by characters in Assault on a Queen?

Accepted Answer

Mark Brittain (Frank Sinatra) and Vic Rossiter (Anthony Franciosa) wore white covered hats while Eric Lauffnauer (Alf Kjellin) wore a black covered hat. On a U-boat, the captain wore white and other officers wore black.

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Assault on a Queen

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