Blindfold (1966)

Interesting facts

• Filmed in: New York City and Florida

Blindfold is a 1966 American romantic comedy film co-written and directed by Philip Dunne that was his last feature film. It starred Rock Hudson in his 50th film, which he produced through his film production company, Gibraltar Productions. It co-starred Claudia Cardinale, Jack Warden and Guy Stockwell. The film was distributed by Universal Pictures. It was based on Lucille Fletcher's 1960 novel of the same name. Sequences were filmed in Central Park in New York City and in Silver Springs, Florida.

Production

The film was based on a 1960 novel by Lucille Fletcher. The New York Times called it "swiftly told and entertaining".

In June 1961, 20th Century Fox bought the screen rights and assigned the project to producer David Helwell. Robert Bassing wrote the first screenplay.

The film took a number of years to be made. It was reactivated in September 1964 by former press agent turned producer Marvin Schwartz, who set up the project at Universal with Rock Hudson attached to star and Phil Dunne to direct. Dunne wrote the script with W.H. Menger. "The whole thing is a spoof on aspects of our security", said Hudson.

Dunne says that Ronald Reagan auditioned for the role of the villain. "Seemed perfectly lightweight", he said, "I just didn't think he could handle it and told him so, and he said it was okay, that he was thinking of going into politics anyhow. If I'd hired him, he might not have gotten to the White House."

Filming started in January 1965. Florida second unit scenes were shot in February 1965 at Paradise Park on Silver River, Sharpes Ferry Bridge, Indian Lake and at the Silver Springs Airport with members of an Ocala, Florida, community theatre group called the Marion Players acting as stand-ins and doubles for the principal actors. Ross Allen's Reptile Institute provided most of the alligators for the swamp scenes.

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