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Tomahawk (film)

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Tomahawk
Theatrical Poster
Directed byGeorge Sherman
Screenplay bySilvia Richards
Maurice Geraghty
Based onstory by Daniel Jarrett
Produced byLeonard Goldstein
StarringVan Heflin
Yvonne De Carlo
CinematographyCharles P. Boyle
Edited byDanny B. Landres
Music byHans J. Salter
Color processTechnicolor
Production
company
Distributed byUniversal Pictures
Release date
  • February 5, 1951 (1951-02-05) (United States)
Running time
82 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$750,000[1]
Box office$2 million (U.S. rentals)[2]

Tomahawk is a 1951 American Western film directed by George Sherman and starring Van Heflin and Yvonne De Carlo. The film is loosely based on events that took place in Wyoming in 1866 to 1868 around Fort Phil Kearny on the Bozeman Trail, such as the Fetterman Fight and Wagon Box Fight. In the UK, the film was released as The Battle of Powder River.[3]

Plot

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Jim Bridger, who has the Indian name of "Tomahawk", leads a group of fur traders and Sioux Indians. A small show run by Julie Madden is protected by an escort, led by Lt. Rob Dancy, as it travels cross-country to a fort. On the route, Dancy kills a young unarmed Sioux boy without provocation. In retaliation the following day, several mounted Sioux ambush the traveling show, hitting Julie's elderly companion Dan with an arrow in the chest. They take Dan to the fort, but the doctor refuses to operate. Julie persuades Jim to operate, saving Dan's life. Jim asks Julie to help his female Cheyenne traveling companion Monahseetah, the daughter of Chief Black Kettle.

The Sioux approach the fort in small groups and target one sentry at a time before riding away. Julie has taken a horse without permission and they chase her. Jim tries to stop the men, but one man, Red Cloud's favorite son, will not comply and Jim fights and kills him. When they return to the fort, they can hear the Sioux war drums.

Jim discovers that Dancy killed his Cheyenne wife, Monahseetah's sister, after Dancy leads a suicidal attack on a group of Sioux in which he is the sole survivor. The Sioux attack the fort in waves, but the newly arrived breech-loading rifles defeat them.

Cast

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Production

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The film is based on a story by Daniel Jarrett. Universal Pictures purchased the film rights in 1947 and assigned Leonard Goldstein to produce and George Sherman to direct.[5][6] In August 1948, Universal announced that the film would be among its Technicolor productions for the following year, along with Calamity Jane and Sam Bass, Sierra, Streets of Cairo, Bloomer Girl and Bagdad.[7]

In May 1949, Stephen McNally was announced for the lead[8] but later withdrew and was replaced by Van Heflin in March 1950.[9] In April, Yvonne De Carlo was cast opposite Heflin.[10] Edna Anhalt was originally hired to write the script,[8] but the film's writing credits are assigned to Silvia Richards and Maurice Geraghty.

Shooting began in May 1950. The film was shot partly on location in South Dakota.[11]

Reception

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In a contemporary review for The New York Times, critic Bosley Crowther wrote: "'Tomahawk' is nothing exceptional in the cavalry-and-Indians line, outside of its generous intimation of pro-Indian sentiment. The story is strictly two-dimensional, with the conflict narrowly reduced to a rivalry between Mr. Bridger and Lieutenant Dancy, who just loves to kill redskins. The history is hopelessly fuzzy, the Indian fighting and charges are perfunctorily staged and the scenery, while pretty in Technicolor, is nothing to take way your breath."[12]

Critic John L. Scott of the Los Angeles Times called the film "a well-made, exciting movie" and wrote: "Like some other fairly recent pictures of this type, sympathy is generated for the Indians and their efforts to protect their hunting grounds. ... While some of the scenes in 'Tomahawk' are slow paced, there is plenty of action in others."[13]

Legacy

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In July 1952, Van Heflin and George Sherman were reported to be working on a follow-up to the film.[14]

References

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  1. ↑ "Variety (February 1948)". Variety. February 18, 1948. p. 14.
  2. ↑ "Top Grossers of 1951". Variety. 185 (4): 70. January 2, 1952.
  3. ↑ "Kensington Amusement Guide: Next Week's Programmes". Kensington Post. London, England. March 2, 1951. p. 5.
  4. ↑ "When the circus walked to Golden". May 9, 2020.
  5. ↑ Scheuer, Philip K. (August 20, 1947). "'Kiss of Death' Villain Gets Pact, Role at 20th". Los Angeles Times. p. 3, Part II.
  6. ↑ Brady, Thomas F. (August 21, 1947). "Lew Ayres Signed for Warner Film". The New York Times. p. 33.
  7. ↑ "Universal-International Plans 23 Films Under New Program". Los Angeles Times. August 13, 1948. p. 4.
  8. 1 2 Brady, Thomas F. (May 31, 1949). "Paramount Signs Goddard to Pact". The New York Times. p. 19.
  9. ↑ Brady, Thomas F. (March 7, 1950). "Van Heflin Signs for Lead in Film". The New York Times. p. 23.
  10. ↑ Brady, Thomas F. (April 21, 1950). "Metro Will Film Book on Pilgrims". The New York Times. p. 19.
  11. ↑ Schallert, Edwin (May 27, 1954). "Saville Seeks Russell as Spillane Star; Coca Deal Near Finalizing". Los Angeles Times. p. 11, Part II.
  12. ↑ Crowther, Bosley (February 19, 1951). "The Screen in Review". The New York Times. p. 19.
  13. ↑ Scott, John L. (February 22, 1951). "'Tomahawk' Early West Action Tale". Los Angeles Times. p. 8, Part III.
  14. ↑ "Movieland Briefs". Los Angeles Times. July 22, 1952. p. 6, Part II.
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