Saskatchewan (film)
| Saskatchewan | |
|---|---|
| File:Poster of the movie Saskatchewan.jpg | |
| Directed by | Raoul Walsh |
| Produced by | Aaron Rosenberg |
| Written by | Gil Doud |
| Based on | story bu Gil Doud |
| Starring | Alan Ladd Shelley Winters |
| Cinematography | John F. Seitz |
| Edited by | Frank Gross |
|
Production
company |
Universal International
|
| Distributed by | Universal-International |
|
Release dates
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Running time
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87 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $2.25 million (US)[1] 1,667,136 admissions (France)[2] |
Saskatchewan is a 1954 fictional American Northern/western Technicolor film directed by Raoul Walsh and starring Alan Ladd and Shelley Winters. The title refers to Fort Saskatchewan in modern Alberta. Shooting was in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada, not far from the headwaters of the Saskatchewan River. The film was titled O'Rourke of the Canadian Mounted in the UK.
Plot
North-West Mounted Police Sub-Inspector O'Rourke and his Cree half brother Cajou are returning from a trapping trip in northern Canada when they encounter a burned wagon train and sole survivor Grace. Despite the advice of the Metis scout Batouche the naive new Mountie commander Inspector Benton (recently arrived from England) believes it to be a Cree attack, however the Sioux from across the border are trying to force the Cree into being allies in their struggle with the U.S. 7th Cavalry .
O'Rourke goes against his commanding officer who have offended the Cree by disarming them; O'Rourke losing his friendship with Cajou when he personally has to take his rifle away. He later mutinies to save the Mounties who have to leave their Fort Saskatchewan for a rendezvous with a larger command at Fort Walsh. He must also aid Grace (with whom he falls in love), but she is not as helpless as she first seems as an American lawman (Hugh O'Brian) has papers for her extradition for murder.
Cast
- Alan Ladd as Thomas O'Rourke
- Shelley Winters as Grace Markey
- J. Carrol Naish as Batouche
- Hugh O'Brian as Carl Smith
- Robert Douglas as Benton
- George J. Lewis as Lawson
- Richard Long as Patrick J. Scanlon
- Jay Silverheels as Cajou
- Anton Moreno as Chief Dark Cloud
- Frank Chase as Keller
- Lowell Gilmore as Banks
- Anthony Caruso as Spotted Eagle
- Henry Wills as Merrill
- Bob Herron as Brill
Production
It was Alan Ladd's second starring vehicle for Universal, for whom he had made Desert Legion. The arrangement was made in England, where Ladd was shooting Hell Below Zero.[3] The film was to be shot on location in Canada, enabling Ladd to get a tax exemption from the US government.[4][5]
"I see absolutely no reason why I should not avail myself of the exemption because it is a law," said Ladd.[6]
Shelley Winters was his co-star in June. She contracted an eye infection when she arrived on location at Lake Louise but was able to make the movie.[7] Filming started August 1953.[8]
See also
References
- ↑ 'The Top Box-Office Hits of 1954', Variety Weekly, January 5, 1955.
- ↑ Box office results of Raoul Walsh films in France at Box Office Story
- ↑ LANZA AND METRO REPORTED IN TUNE: Singer Expected to Return to Studio Fold After 7-Month Controversy, Official Says BY THOMAS M. PRYORSpecial to THE NEW YORK TIMES.. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 04 Mar 1953: 24
- ↑ Looking at Hollywood: Alan Ladd Set for Role of a Canadian Mountie Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune (1923-1963) [Chicago, Ill] 04 Mar 1953: a2.
- ↑ Steve Cochran Plans Directing Career; 'Space Station' Put on Roster Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 22 May 1953: B9.
- ↑ Ladd Defends Actors' Tax Exemption Abroad; Bard Intrigues Greene Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 03 June 1953: 21.
- ↑ FILMING SPEEDED AT MAJOR STUDIOS: 44 Features Will Se Made in Hollywood This Month, a Big Rise Over Spring By THOMAS M. PRYORSpecial to THE NEW YORK TIMES.. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 08 Aug 1953: 14.
- ↑ STEINER TO LEAVE POST AT WARNERS: Three-Time Academy Award Winner for Musical Scores Plans Publishing Business Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES.. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 15 July 1953: 22.
