Ambush (1950 film)
Ambush is a 1950 American Western film directed by Sam Wood and starring Robert Taylor, John Hodiak and Arlene Dahl. The plot is based on the serial story Ambush by Luke Short in The Saturday Evening Post (25 Dec 1948–12 Feb 1949). It is also the first MGM film in the 1950s'. [3]
| Ambush | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | Sam Wood |
| Produced by | Armand Deutsch, Sam Wood |
| Screenplay by | Marguerite Roberts |
| Based on | Ambush 1948 serial story by Luke Short |
| Starring | Robert Taylor John Hodiak Arlene Dahl |
| Music by | Rudolph G. Kopp |
| Cinematography | Harold Lipstein |
| Edited by | Ben Lewis |
| Color process | Black and white |
Production company | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
| Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer[1] |
Release date |
|
Running time | 89 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $1,754,000[2] |
| Box office | $3,215,000[2] |
The movie was filmed on location at the Corriganville Ranch in Simi Valley, California, home of hundreds of western movies and television shows through the decades as well as such outdoor action films as The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) and Jungle Jim (1948). Additional location work for the film took place in and around Gallup, New Mexico.[4]
Plot summary
In 1878, Ward Kinsman (Robert Taylor), a prospector and Indian scout, has been persuaded by the US Cavalry to find Mary Carlyle, the daughter of a general, who has been taken by Apaches.
Setting out on the trail with a few cavalrymen and Ann Duverall (Arlene Dahl), Mary’s sister, they come across an Apache encampment. Ward learns from an Apache woman that Mary has been taken by an Apache called Diablito. Returning to the cavalry fort with Tana, a captive Apache, preparations are made for a full-scale expedition to find Diablito.
Captain Lorrison (John Hodiak) proposes to Ann. Ann tells Ward that she has accepted his marriage proposal, but Ward persuades her that she is in love with him.
The expedition sets off. Tana (who?) tries a double-cross and Ward kills him in self-defence. Eventually the trackers come across Diablito’s camp and stampede the horses. A gun battle ensues. A cavalry re-enforcement column arrives and routs the band of Indians. Ward rescues Mary. Lorrison sets off in pursuit of the escaping Apache, but he is ambushed and killed. Mary and Ann are re-united back at the fort.
Cast
- Robert Taylor as Ward Kinsman
- Arlene Dahl as Ann Duverall
- John Hodiak as Capt. Ben Lorrison
- Don Taylor as Lt. Linus Delaney
- Jean Hagen as Martha Conovan
- Bruce Cowling as Tom Conovan
- Leon Ames as Maj. Breverly
- John McIntire as Frank Holly
- Pat Moriarity as Sgt. Mack
- Charles Stevens as Diablito
- Chief Thundercloud as Tana
- Ray Teal as Capt. Wolverson
- Robin Short as L.t. Storrow
- Richard Bailey as L.t. Tremaine
Reception
According to MGM records the film earned $2,108,000 in the US and Canada and $1,107,000 overseas, resulting in a $401,000 profit.[2]
References
- Ambush at the American Film Institute Catalog
- The Eddie Mannix Ledger, Los Angeles: Margaret Herrick Library, Center for Motion Picture Study.
- http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=25830
- http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/974/Ambush/articles.html
External links
- Ambush on IMDb
- Ambush at AllMovie
- Ambush at the TCM Movie Database
- Ambush at the American Film Institute Catalog