A Thunder of Drums
| A Thunder of Drums | |
|---|---|
William Spencer | |
| Edited by | Ferris Webster |
| Music by | Harry Sukman |
| Color process | Metrocolor |
Production company | Robert J. Enders Productions |
| Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
Release date |
|
Running time | 97 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $1 million[1] |
A Thunder of Drums is a 1961 American
Plot
In 1870
On the day McQuade reports, Maddocks is burying four troopers from a patrol led by Lt. Porter (Chamberlain), killed in a running fight with a large band of "hostiles" believed to be Comanches. They have also brought back a severely traumatized little girl, the only survivor of the massacre of a family at a distant ranch. The funeral casts gloom on the otherwise festive visit of Tracey Hamilton, also from the East and soon to wed Maddocks' second-in-command, Lt. Tom Gresham (Douglas). McQuade had previously been romantically involved with Tracey and immediately renews their affair. Gresham is assigned to lead another patrol to the suspected location of the hostiles but on the evening of his departure discovers the affair and an ugly scene ensues.
When Maddocks learns the next day that Gresham deviated from his orders, he leads McQuade and the troop in search of him without success. Finally one night they discover the bodies of Gresham and his men when they stop to
The tactic works but McQuade's small group is hard-pressed by their attackers. Maddocks arrives with the main body in time to win the engagement but Rodermill is killed. McQuade discovers that their opponents were not Comanches at all, but Apaches, which Maddocks knew all along, having learned to "out-think them all." Maddocks is satisfied that a change in McQuade's attitude means that he is on the road to becoming a good officer. Upon his return to Canby, McQuade finds Tracey leaving, taking the little girl to her relatives in the East. Maddocks consoles McQuade with the thought that bachelors make the best soldiers because "they have nothing to lose but their loneliness."
Cast
- Richard Boone as Captain Stephen Maddocks
- George Hamilton as Lieutenant Curtis McQuade
- Luana Patten as Tracey Hamilton
- Arthur O'Connell as Sergeant Karl Rodermill
- Charles Bronson as Trooper Hanna
- Richard Chamberlain as Lieutenant Porter
- James Douglas as Lieutenant Thomas Gresham
- Tammy Marihugh as Laurie Detweiler
- Carole Wells as Camden Yates
- Duane Eddy as Trooper Eddy
- Slim Pickens as Trooper Erschick
- Clem Harvey as Trooper Denton
- Casey Tibbs as Trooper Baker
- Irene Tedrow as Mrs. Scarborough
- Marjorie Bennett as Mrs. Yates
- J. Edward McKinley as Captain Alan Scarborough
Uncredited
- Frank Gerstle as Trooper Drortmander
- Carol Henry as Trooper Hart
Production
The film starred a number of young actors under contract to MGM including George Hamilton, Richard Chamberlain, Carole Wells and James Douglas.[2]
George Hamilton made the movie "to avoid the Ivy curse" and play a different kind of role.[3]
The movie is notable for starring three well-known actors in relatively minor roles. Charles Bronson of Death Wish fame and rock musician Duane Eddy star as troopers, while Richard Chamberlain portrays Lieutenant Porter. Slim Pickens and Arthur O'Connell also had roles.
It was Robert Enders' first movie as an independent producer for MGM.[4]
A Thunder of Drums is the second time the story hit the moving pictures. "The Best of the Post, season 1, episode 1, Command"[5] (hard to find but available online), told the same story with more familiar names.
Box office
According to MGM records, the film recorded a loss of $42,000.[6]
See also
References
- ^ "1961 Rentals and Potential". Variety. January 10, 1961. p. 58.
- ^ Scheuer, Philip K. (February 24, 1961). "Young MGM Stars Cast for New Films: Burton and Mason 'Dig' Dylan; Glenn Ford Will Make Classic". Los Angeles Times. p. 22.
- ^ George Hamilton & William Stadiem, Don't Mind If I Do, Simon & Schuster 2008 p 149
- ^ A.H. WEILER (September 25, 1961). "MOVIE TO RELATE STORY OF A HORSE: Bob Hope May Play Role of 'Snowman's' Rescuer". New York Times. p. 39.
- ^ ""The Best of the Post" Command (TV Episode 1960) - IMDb". IMDb.
- ^ The Eddie Mannix Ledger, Los Angeles: Margaret Herrick Library, Center for Motion Picture Study.
External links
- A Thunder of Drums at IMDb
- A Thunder of Drums at the TCM Movie Database
- A Thunder of Drums at AllMovie
- ISBN 0-520-20970-2. Retrieved September 24, 2009.
- Blum, Daniel (1962). Screen World 1962. Biblio and Tannen. p. 80. ISBN 0-8196-0303-1. Retrieved September 24, 2009.
- Nielsen Business Media, Inc (April 24, 1961). "Dicourse". Billboard. p. 39. Retrieved September 24, 2009.
{{cite magazine}}:|author1=has generic name (help) - ISBN 978-1-4165-4507-1. Retrieved September 24, 2009.
- Lisanti, Tom (2003). Drive-in dream girls: a galaxy of B-movie starlets of the sixties. McFarland. p. 194. ISBN 0-7864-1575-4. Retrieved September 24, 2009.
- Nielsen Business Media, Inc (May 8, 1961). "Talent Topics: Hollywood". Billboard. p. 5. Retrieved September 24, 2009.
{{cite magazine}}:|author1=has generic name (help) - Weiler, A.H. (September 27, 1961). "A Thunder of Drums Comes to Capitol". The New York Times. Retrieved September 24, 2009.
- The Best of the Post at IMDb
- The Best of the Post at CVTA with list of episodes
