Apache Drums
Apache Drums is a 1951 American Technicolor Western film directed by Hugo Fregonese and produced by Val Lewton. The drama features Stephen McNally, Coleen Gray, and Willard Parker. The film was based on an original story: Stand at Spanish Boot, by Harry Brown.[2] Apache Drums was the last film Val Lewton produced before his death.[3]
| Apache Drums | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Hugo Fregonese |
| Produced by | Val Lewton |
| Screenplay by | David Chandler |
| Story by | Harry Brown |
| Based on | His original story "Stand at Spanish Boot" |
| Starring | Stephen McNally Coleen Gray |
| Music by | Hans J. Salter |
| Cinematography | Charles P. Boyle |
| Edited by | Milton Carruth |
Production company | Universal Pictures |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 76 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $1.4 million (US rentals)[1] |
Premise
A notorious gambler is thrown out of a small town named Spanish Boot, but he quickly returns when he discovers the town is threatened by the Mescalero Apaches led by Chief Victorio.
Cast
- Stephen McNally as Sam Leeds
- Coleen Gray as Sally
- Willard Parker as Mayor Joe Madden
- Arthur Shields as Rev. Griffin
- James Griffith as Lt. Glidden
- Armando Silvestre as Pedro-Peter
- Georgia Backus as Mrs. Keon
- Clarence Muse as Jehu
- Ruthelma Stevens as Betty Careless
- James Best as Bert Keon
- Chinto Guzman as Chacho
- Ray Bennett as Mr. Keon
Reception
When the film was released The New York Times gave the film a mixed review and wrote, "Apache Drums is tense and exciting fare when its green and red-painted Indians, yelping and keening, ride to attack or literally bite the dust with authentic thuds. When it is loquaciously appraising its principals, it is, to quote one of them, 'kind of dull and tame.'"[4]
Recently, film critic Dennis Schwartz reviewed the film favorably, writing, "It's the kind of effective kickass B western where the cavalry comes in the nick of time to rescue the white folks from the attacking Indians. Director Hugo Fregonese (Untamed Frontier) gives a nod to Lewton's eye for detail and shadowy photography...David Chandler turns in a crisp screenplay that's always tense and filled with exciting action sequences except when he keeps things too chatty, which tamps down the narrative with a dull soap opera romantic feud...Pretty darn good stuff for such a modest western, showing that it takes all kinds to be brave and that the worst situation might bring out the best in a man."[5]
Time Out London's review was also complimentary, writing, "Beautifully staged by Fregonese, especially the climactic attack on the church where the survivors make their stand, with painted Apaches erupting through the high windows like demons from hell. Val Lewton's last production, it is full of touches instantly recognisable from his RKO series: the subtle ambivalence undermining attitudes and ethical principles, the generous stance against racism, the concern for childhood (the gambler distracts the frightened kids with an exhibition of sleight of hand), the love of traditional songs (the kids led into a chorus of 'Oranges and Lemons'; the minister countering the Apache chanting by launching into 'The Men of Harlech')."[6]
References
- 'The Top Box Office Hits of 1951', Variety, January 2, 1952
- Apache Drums on IMDb.
- Erikson, Hal. Apache Drums at AllMovie.
- New York Times, film review, "Cavalry Arrives in Nick of Time", May 7, 1951. Last accessed: February 11, 2011.
- Schwartz, Dennis. Ozus' World Movie Reviews, film review, November 12, 2006. Last accessed: February 11, 2011.
- Time Out Archived July 17, 2011, at the Wayback Machine London, Film review. Last accessed: February 11, 2011