Interestingly, given Gregory Peck's mixed opinion of the production and his performance, Peck's final acting role was as Father Mapple in a mini-series version of "Moby Dick." His sermon seems to follow that of Orson Welles in the John Huston production.
The interior of the church had to be copied because the structure could not withstand the weight of motion picture cameras and lights. Huston had the interior of the church copied and rebuilt it as a set. The impressive pulpit was a cinematic creation, but the church wound up installing a new pulpit that looked like the bow of a ship albeit on a more modest scale. Tourists demanded it.
With the passage of time, the reputation of "Moby Dick" has improved considerably.
It is amazing to think that Richard Basehart was in his forties when he played Ishmael.
Dan
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