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Movie: Rosemary's Baby (1968)Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon Star in Horror Film
Director Roman Polanski brought Rosemary's Baby to the silver screen in 1968. A tale of the supernatural, the movie starred Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes and Ruth Gordon.
Ira Levin's bestselling horror novel creeped into movie theaters in 1968. Bearing the innocent title Rosemary's Baby, the film starred Mia Farrow as Rosemary, with John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon, Sidney Blackmer and Ralph Bellamy along for the descent into cinematic hell. Ira Levin's Rosemary's BabyRosemary's Baby was based on the novel of the same name by Ira Levin (1929-2007). A 245-page hardcover published by Random House in 1967 (price: $4.95), Rosemary's Baby became a runaway bestseller, with 2.3 million copies sold by June of 1968. Screenplay, Director, MusicProduced by William Castle for Paramount Pictures, Rosemary's Baby was written for the screen by Roman Polanski, who also directed. Christopher Komeda crafted the movie's eerie music score. Rosemary's Baby CastMia Farrow and John Cassavetes starred as Rosemary and Guy Woodhouse. Other principal cast members were: Ruth Gordon (Minnie Castevet), Sidney Blackmer (Roman Castevet), Maurice Evans (Edward "Hutch" Hutchins), Ralph Bellamy (Dr. Abraham Sapirstein), former Playboy Playmate Victoria Vetri, as Angela Dorian (Terry Gionoffrio), Patsy Kelly (Laura-Louise McBirney) and Elisha Cook Jr. (Mr. Nicklas). Heard but not seen was Tony Curtis, who voiced the character of actor Donald Baumgart over the phone. Jane Fonda and Robert Redford were the original choices to play Rosemary and Guy. Others considered included (ladies first): Tuesday Weld, Sharon Tate, Julie Christie, Elizabeth Hartman and Joanna Pettet. And for the guys: Jack Nicholson, Richard Chamberlain, Warren Beatty, James Fox and Laurence Harvey. Budget, Filming LocationsBudgeted at $3.2 million, Rosemary's Baby was filmed from August 21 to December 6, 1967. The movie's exteriors were primarily filmed at the Dakota Building on Manhattan's Upper West Side, which served as the fictional Bramford Apartments. The interior scenes were shot on a Hollywood soundstage, as the Dakota doesn't allow filming. All of Them WitchesRosemary's Baby begins with a panoramic view of New York City, eventually ending with a shot of the fictional Bramford Apartments. Settling into Apartment 7E are Guy and Rosemary Woodhouse, who are warned by their old friend Hutch that the Bramford has a gruesome history, including rumors of witchcraft. In fact, Rosemary is later presented a book titled All of Them Witches via a friend of Hutch's. The Woodhouses are befriended by their neighbors the Castevets, who turn out to be the leaders of a coven. They desire Rosemary as a vessel for the offspring of Satan, no less, and conspire to achieve that goal through special herbs and the coercion of her husband. Guy sells out "Ro" to the Castevets in exchange for a coveted role on Broadway. The original star -- Donald Baumgart -- has mysteriously gone blind, with Guy now receiving other acting offers as well, including the lead role in a TV series titled Miami Beach. Rosemary conceives on "baby night" and undergoes a difficult pregnancy. She later gives birth to a baby boy, only to be told that the infant has died... Release, ReviewsRosemary's Baby -- later spoofed in Mad magazine as Rosemia's Boo-boo (January 1969) -- was released on June 12, 1968. "A sly, stylish, and ultimately suspenseful film..." reported Hollis Alpert of Saturday Review (6/15/68). Academy Award, Box OfficeRosemary's Baby won one Academy Award, Ruth Gordon for Best Supporting Actress. Rosemary's Baby grossed $15 million at the box office, good for the #7 slot on the list of Hollywood's top moneymaking films of 1968. "Come with us quietly, Rosemary. Don't argue or make a scene," Dr. Sapirstein warns the frightened young woman. Run, Rosemary, run! And don't forget your contraceptives!
The copyright of the article Movie: Rosemary's Baby (1968) in Horror Films is owned by William J. Felchner. Permission to republish Movie: Rosemary's Baby (1968) in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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