Fort Yuma (film)
| Fort Yuma | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Lesley Selander |
| Produced by |
Howard W. Koch Aubrey Schenck |
| Screenplay by | Danny Arnold |
| Story by | Danny Arnold |
| Starring |
Peter Graves Joan Vohs John Hudson Joan Taylor |
| Music by | Paul Dunlap |
| Cinematography | Gordon Avil |
| Edited by | John F. Schreyer |
Production company |
Bel-Air Productions |
| Distributed by | United Artists |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 78 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Fort Yuma is a 1955 Technicolor Western film directed by Lesley Selander starring Peter Graves, Joan Vohs, John Hudson and Joan Taylor
Plot
When word reaches a U.S. Cavalry command that an Apache chief's son is planning an attack on Fort Yuma, a column of soldiers led by Lt. Ben Keegan is sent to deliver ammunition and supplies. Keegan has a longstanding hatred of the Indians and even resents that his chief scout, Sgt. Jonas, is an Apache himself.
Accompanying them is missionary Melanie Crown, an educated and enlightened woman from the East who despises prejudice and strongly believes everyone can live together in harmony, and the sergeant's sister, Francesca, whose mutual attraction with Keegan is complicated, considering his views.
The company is attacked, its soldiers being picked off one by one until only the two officers and two women remain alive. Apaches steal the dead soldiers' uniforms and intend to approach the fort in disguise. Fighting off two Apache attackers, Keegan kills one and hangs the other, against the appeals of the others.
Francesca is killed, dying in Keegan's arms, which brings about a change in his attitudes. He and the others reach the fort just as the disguised Apaches' real identities are discovered. A fierce battle, saber vs. knife, ensues between Keegan and the Apache chief's son, man to man. Keegan survives and experiences remorse for his beliefs, while Melanie and Jonas intend to set an example for the others how to co-exist in peace.
Production
The film was edited before release with many violent scenes being excised.[1]
The film was originally denied a seal from the Production Code Administration. Geoffrey Shurlock told producer Howard W. Koch that it contained "sadism and excessive gruesomeness". To get a seal, Koch reduced the number of killings from 24 to 10. Removed were scenes where a man is spread-eagled and torn apart by horses; an arrow impaling a hand to wood; and a scene depicting the bodies of hanged Indians, swaying from tree limbs.[2]
Cast
- Peter Graves as the Lt. Ben Keegan
- Joan Vohs as Melanie Crown
- John Hudson as Sgt. Jonas
- Joan Taylor as Francesca
- William 'Bill' Phillips as Sgt. Milo Hallock (as Wm. 'Bill' Phillips)
- James O'Hara as Cpl. Taylor
- Abel Fernandez as Mangas
- Addison Richards as Gen. Crook
See also
Notes
- ↑ p. 142 Goldstein, Jeffrey H. Why We Watch: The Attractions of Violent Entertainment Oxford University Press, 1998
- ↑ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0048090/trivia?ref_=tt_trv_trv
References
- Langman, Larry & Borg, Ed Encyclopedia of American War Films Garland Publ., 1989
- Wetta, Frank Joseph & Curley, Stephen J. Celluloid Wars: A Guide to Film and the American Experience of War Greenwood Publishing Group, 01/01/1992
External links
- Fort Yuma at the Internet Movie Database
- Fort Yuma at the TCM Movie Database