The Adventures Of Marco Polo - Gary Cooper - 9th Biggest Hollywood Flick of 1938

Notes by Bill Russo Samuel Goldwyn’s lavish production of Marco Polo was indeed the 9th top film of 1938 judging by Box Office receipts of more than 1.7 million dollars. But the movie was also the biggest flop of the year! It was so expensive to make, that after all the beans were counted, there was a net loss of more than $700,. There was blame to be laid everywhere. Some critics said the lead role should not have gone to Cooper, but to Rudolph Valentino! A New York Times critic said the actor’s accents were wrong! Be that as it may, if you are a fan of celebrities from the old days, you’ll have a ball star gazing. There’s old reliable Basil Rathbone along with Jason Robards, Alan Hale, and Lana Turner, as a maid. Not all the reviews were bad. Variety loved the film, saying that it is “a spectacular melodrama“ and “an excellent vehicle for Cooper“. Film Daily called the film a “thrilling, romantic offering"