The Fountainhead Overview:

The Fountainhead (1949) was a Drama - Film Adaptation Film directed by King Vidor and produced by Henry Blanke.

The film was based on the novel of the same name written by Ayn Rand published in 1943.

BlogHub Articles:

THE FOUNTAINHEAD ( 1949 )

By Theresa Brown on Apr 8, 2016 From CineMaven's Essays from the Couch

They say there?s no frigate like a book. But what happens when you turn a frigate into a movie? What?ve you got then? Now Voyaging and Speakeasy have partnered up again to host this weekend?s ?BOOK TO COVER: Books to Film Blogathon.? It?s pretty self-explanatory: ?This blogathon is your opportunity... Read full article


The Fountainhead (1949)

By Beatrice on Jun 10, 2015 From Flickers in Time

The Fountainhead Directed by King Vidor Written by Ayn Rand based on her novel 1949/USA Warner Bros. First viewing/Hulu Plus I cannot fully express my feelings about this film without spoilers. ?Normally, I would suggest that my readers watch the film first but in this case I wouldn’t go ... Read full article


The Fountainhead, Often and Oftener Viewings Makes It Better and Better

By C. S. Williams on Dec 8, 2014 From Classic Film Aficionados

With each viewing of The Fountainhead rather than growing tired of the 65 year old picture, I admire it more and more. Raymond Massey was never more sleazy (in the first two-thirds of the movie), Cooper, strong, silent, never more Cooperesque than in The Fountainhead and Patricia Neal, never more be... Read full article


The Fountainhead, Often and Oftener Viewings Makes It Better and Better

By C. S. Williams on Dec 8, 2014 From Classic Film Aficionados

With each viewing of The Fountainhead rather than growing tired of the 65 year old picture, I admire it more and more. Raymond Massey was never more sleazy (in the first two-thirds of the movie), Cooper, strong, silent, never more Cooperesque than in The Fountainhead and Patricia Neal, never more be... Read full article


The Fountainhead, Often and Oftener Viewings Makes It Better and Better

By C. S. Williams on Dec 8, 2014 From Classic Film Aficionados

With each viewing of The Fountainhead rather than growing tired of the 65 year old picture, I admire it more and more. Raymond Massey was never more sleazy (in the first two-thirds of the movie), Cooper, strong, silent, never more Cooperesque than in The Fountainhead and Patricia Neal, never more be... Read full article


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Quotes from

Howard Roark: [delivering the closing statements of his own defense] Thousands of years ago the first man discovered how to make fire. He was probably burned at the stake he had taught his brothers to light, but he left them a gift they had not conceived of, and he lifted darkness off the earth. Through out the centuries there were men who took first steps down new roads, armed with nothing but their own vision. The great creators, the thinkers, the artists, the scientists, the inventors, stood alone against the men of their time. Every new thought was opposed. Every new invention was denounced. But the men of unborrowed vision went ahead. They fought, they suffered, and they paid - but they won.


Ellsworth Toohey: There's the building that should have been yours. There are buildings going up all over the city which are great chances refused and given to incompetent fools. You're walking the streets while they're doing the work that you love but cannot obtain. This city is closed to you. It is I who have done it! Don't you want to know my motive?
Howard Roark: No!
Ellsworth Toohey: I'm fighting you and shall fight you in every way I can.
Howard Roark: You're free to do what you please!
Ellsworth Toohey: Mr. Roark, we're alone here. Why don't you tell me what you think of me in any words you wish.
Howard Roark: But I don't think of you!
[Roark walks away and Toohey's head slumps down]


Ellsworth Toohey: I play the stock market of the spirit and I sell short


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Facts about

According to Barbara Branden's biography, Ayn Rand was furious when the courtroom speech was edited without her approval and refused to ever work with Warner Bros. in the future.
Roark (Gary Cooper)'s courtroom speech was the longest in film history up until that time.
The original novel was a favorite among America's armed forces, during World War II. The lengthy book helped pass the time when things were slow, and it provided inspiration to the troops, to survive the war and build their own dreams after they got home.
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Also directed by King Vidor




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Also produced by Henry Blanke




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