Description:

Kennedy John



PT-109 Movie Production Snap Shots and Campaign Pins Owned by JFK's Skipper "Barney" Ross

 

PT-109 movie souvenirs personally owned by George H.R. "Barney" Ross, one of the surviving crew members of the original World War II shipwreck and also an uncredited cast member. Including 24 glossy black and white photos taken during the filming and post-production festivities of the Warner Bros. film, as well as two fine examples of PT-109 Kennedy campaign pins. From the estate of "Barney" Ross.

 

The 3.5" square snap shots, some of them dated July 1962, show the movie's cast, members of the press, Navy brass, and other guests during production and after filming. Of interest is a candid shot taken of Cliff Robertson in costume (shorts, no shirt, sailor's cap with upturned brim, and sunglasses) relaxing in a director's chair on set, likely on Little Palm Island in the Florida Keys. Another photo shows "Barney" Ross posing in front of a highway motel sign emblazoned "Welcome Warner Bros Cast + Crew, PT 109." A naval vessel modified to resemble the defunct PT boat is shown dockside, and a damaged ship deck model is shown on a tilted stage.

 

Also including two handsome examples of Kennedy political campaign lapel pins. The larger of the two is sterling silver, stamped verso, measuring 2.5" long. The smaller appears to be flash gold-plated brass, measuring 1.75" long. Both in near fine condition with expected surface wear.

 

The loss of the PT-109 had all the narrative elements of a superb adventure story: a catastrophic explosion and shipwreck; an exciting and unpredictable rescue; and acts of heroism, physical endurance, and ingenuity. Its storybook characters included the young and handsome Commander Kennedy, his nefarious enemies the Japanese, and his unexpected indigenous allies. In the 20 years following the event, Kennedy and others used the story of the PT-109 for their own ends. For Kennedy the aspiring politician, the PT-109 represented his outstanding military record, one that compensated for his political inexperience. For Hollywood, the PT-109 represented unlimited entertainment potential.

 

Warner Brothers Studios released its feature-length film PT-109, an adaptation of Robert L. Donovan's non-fiction account of the PT-109: John F. Kennedy in World War II, in June 1963. The 140-minute-long movie filmed in Panavision and technicolor had blown through a $4 million budget and did not recoup its costs. Cliff Robertson played John F. Kennedy, Robert Culp played "Barney" Ross; Errol John played Benjamin Kevu; and "Barney" Ross played the uncredited role of Chief Petty Officer Benson. Critics favorably reviewed Robertson's performance, but audiences did not like its long running time.

 

John F. Kennedy's heroic leadership as Commander of the ill-fated PT-109 proved useful during his later political career. Kennedy frequently alluded to his war record during his 1947 Congressional race, 1953 Senate race, and 1960 presidential race. PT-109 pin-back buttons, booklets, paperweights, tie clips, and floating bath toys were just some of Kennedy's promotional propaganda. The tie clips, which could be made of brass, bronze, sterling silver, gold plate, and solid gold, depict a silhouette of the torpedo boat usually engraved "Kennedy" on the hull.

 

Ensign George Henry Robertson "Barney" Ross (1918-1983) was an itinerant skipper and PT-109 survivor. Ross accompanied Kennedy on August 5th reconnaissance mission to Naru Island, and was later awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal. In 1959, Kennedy asked Ross to help him drum up support for his presidential campaign, and during his administration, Ross served as a special committee adviser.

 

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