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Comanche (1956 film)

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Comanche
Theatrical release poster
Directed byGeorge Sherman
Screenplay byCarl Krueger
Produced byCarl Kreuger
Starring
CinematographyJorge Stahl Jr.
Edited byCharles L. Kimball
Music byHerschel Burke Gilbert
Color processColor by Deluxe
Production
company
Carl Krueger Productions
Distributed byUnited Artists
Release date
  • March 1956 (1956-03)
Running time
88 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$1.15 million (US)[1]

Comanche is a 1956 American CinemaScope Western film directed by George Sherman and starring Dana Andrews. The film has a theme song "A Man Is As Good As His Word" sung by The Lancers.

Plot

In 1875, near Durango, Mexico, a group of renegade Comanche attack a peaceful village and kidnap the daughter of a Spanish aristocrat. They escape the Mexican Army by crossing into US territory. Jim Read (Dana Andrews), a frontier scout, is sent to investigate and ease tensions between the Mexicans and the Comanche. But long standing hatred and the profitable business of scalp-hunting does not help in resolving the conflict. Read is sent to negotiate with the Comanche chief, Quanah (Kent Smith). Whilst searching for Quanah, Read sees Art Downey (Stacy Harris), a local scalp-hunter, shoot and injure a Comanche. Read rescues him and takes him to Quanah. Read however is himself accused of the shooting by Black Cloud (Henry Brandon), the renegade leader, until the injured brave recovers enough to clear his name. Read reveals to Quanah that they are cousins and that his mother was the sister of Quanah's mother. Quanah swears loyalty to his white friend. Read leaves to fetch government officials to a peace council, but discovers a cavalry detachment that has been massacred by Black Cloud and his renegades. The Government official, Commissioner Ward (Lowell Gilmore), has ordered the cavalry to subdue the Indians, by force if necessary. Black Cloud attacks a column of cavalry troopers and captures Ward. Quanah and a large force of loyal Comanche intervene and threaten to attack Black Cloud. Vengeful Black Cloud kills Ward. In the ensuing battle, Read kills Downey and Black Cloud and peace is restored.

Cast

Production

Writer-producer Carl Krueger spent five to six years researching the story. He says he was offered up to $30,000 for the script but held out to make it independently as he wanted the film shot in Mexico.[2]

Reception

The film received some good reviews with the location work in Durango, Mexico much praised.[3] TV Guide and the Radio Times both rated it two out of four stars, each citing it as interesting mostly for introducing Cristal to North American audiences.[4][5]

See also

References

  1. ^ 'The Top Box-Office Hits of 1956', Variety Weekly, January 2, 1957
  2. ^ Schallert, Edwin (Oct 23, 1955). "War Whoops Again Fill Old Durango". Los Angeles Times. p. D1.
  3. ^ "Drama: Film Vividly Portrays Indians' Mexican Raid Schallert". Edwin. Los Angeles Times. Mar 30, 1956. p. 24.
  4. ^ "Comanche". TV Guide. Retrieved 2015-02-19.
  5. ^ Sloman, Tony. "Comanche". Radio Times. Retrieved 2015-02-19.
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