The Scarlet Coat
The Scarlet Coat | |
---|---|
Directed by | John Sturges |
Written by | Karl Tunberg |
Produced by | Nicholas Nayfack |
Starring | Cornel Wilde Michael Wilding George Sanders Anne Francis |
Narrated by | Paul Frees |
Cinematography | Paul C. Vogel |
Edited by | Ben Lewis |
Music by | Conrad Salinger |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
Release date |
|
Running time | 101 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $1.6 million[1][2] |
Box office | $1.2 million[1] |
The Scarlet Coat is a 1955 American
The film purports to tell the story of the creation of the "American Secret Service". It weaves a
While historically André and Major Benjamin Tallmadge, Bolton's historical counterpart, did meet shortly before André was to be hanged as a spy (Talmadge's regiment of light dragoons was charged with guarding André), their acquaintance was not the longer-term and deeper friendship suggested in the film. Bolton betrays this friendship out of duty in the film, but Karl Tunberg's script ameliorates that difficulty by having Bolton make attempts to save Andre's life. Another important departure from history is that during the course of events André saves Bolton when the latter is arrested for being a spy, something that never occurred.[a]
André is treated sympathetically in the film while Wilde's fictional Major Bolton is portrayed as more ruthless, particularly in the brutality he employs to accomplish his objectives. The script is noted for its even-handedness in depicting both sides of the conflict.[3]
It was Olaf Hytten's last film appearance.
Plot
In 1780 General Benedict Arnold commands the
A pass through the lines found hidden in Winfield's boot reveals that the impostor was actually Moody, a spy, who had another
Bolton is sent with two Tory agents to sabotage the
To trap him, Odell writes a false dispatch from "Mr. Osborn" for Bolton to steal. At another dinner, Bolton notices that Sally Cameron only pretends to toast the King. She has also fallen in love with him and warns Bolton about Odell's trap. The British attack on Verplanck is crushed and results in Bolton's arrest as a Rebel spy. He is saved from hanging by André, who intervenes for him after Sally confesses her feelings for Bolton and begs him to vouch on Bolton's behalf. He does so, despite her refusal of his marriage proposal. Putting duty before personal considerations, André asks Bolton to accompany him to a meeting between "Gustavus" and "Osborn" aboard the sloop Vulture. André assures Bolton that "Gustavus" and "Osborn" have conjured a quick end to the war. The wily "Gustavus" changes the meeting at the last moment to the house of a Tory sympathizer and orders André to come alone. Bolton persuades André to go in uniform, and not in civilian clothing, lest he be captured as a spy. Soon after, Odell detects Bolton warning American shore batteries of the British presence, but Bolton escapes by swimming ashore to the American garrison. The American commander, Col. Jameson (James Westerfield), is skeptical of Bolton's loyalties and stubbornly holds him until Howe can vouch for him. "Gustavus" escapes. "Osborn" is captured and Bolton realizes that Benedict Arnold is "Gustavus". To his horror, Bolton learns that "Osborn" is André, and worse, that he changed into civilian clothes trying to escape.
At André's court-martial, Bolton testifies that André entered the lines in uniform and changed into civilian clothing only at Arnold's treacherous orders. The court reluctantly sentences André to be executed as a spy. André pledges his continuing friendship with Bolton and asks him to protect Sally from any retribution. Bolton brokers a last-minute deal to exchange André for Arnold, but André considers the suggestion a taint on his honor and declines.
Cast
- Cornel Wilde as Major John Bolton
- Michael Wilding as Major John André
- Anne Francis as Sally Cameron
- George Sanders as Dr. Jonathan Odell
- Robert Douglas as Benedict Arnold
- John McIntire as General Robert Howe
- Rhys Williamsas Peter
- John Dehner as General Nathanael Greene
- James Westerfield as Col. Jameson
- Ashley Cowan as Mr. Brown
- Paul Cavanagh as Sir Henry Clinton
- John Alderson as Mr. Durkin
- John O'Malley as Col. Winfield
- Bobby Driscoll as Ben Potter
- Paul Frees as Narrator (uncredited)
- Olaf Hytten as Maj. Andre's Butler (uncredited)
- Gordon Richards as Mr. Cameron (uncredited)
Production
As reported in April 1952 in Daily Variety, the genesis of the film was the original story "Betrayal on the Hudson" by Hollister Noble and Sidney Harmon, purchased by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer as the basis for the screenplay of The Scarlet Coat. In January 1953 The Hollywood Reporter listed Stewart Granger in the role of John Bolton and Robert Pirosh as the film's director. Later that year Robert Taylor was named Granger's replacement, to co-star with Michael Wilding.
In June 1954 production was delayed because of a shortage of sound stage space and stagehands. Exteriors filmed on location in Tarrytown, New York and on the Hudson River were shot in the autumn of 1954 to capture fall foliage for depicting the historical September 1780 time frame.
The film is available for streaming and on Region 1 NTSC DVD at Amazon. For several years it has been shown on Turner Classic Movies on Independence Day.
Reception
According to MGM records, the film earned $449,000 in the U.S. and Canada and $719,000 elsewhere, resulting in a loss of $1,158,000.[1]
See also
- List of films about the American Revolution
- List of television series and miniseries about the American Revolution
References
Footnotes
- Culper Spy Ringwas "John Bolton", never undertook spy activities out of uniform, as Wilde's character does.
- ^ Although the actual Odell studied medicine, he chose as his vocation ordination as a minister.
- ^ Both Bolton's "5th Dragoons" and Winfield's "2nd Connecticut Light Horse" were entirely fictional. Only four mounted regiments existed in the Continental Army, all part of the Continental Light Dragoons. Only two state regiments were mustered, both part of the Southern Army, and were unnumbered.
- ^ The film is in error placing the chain between Verplanck and Stony Point. Verplanck was however the location of the strategic King's Ferry crossing of the Hudson, held by the Americans in 1780, and used a year later by Washington's army marching to Yorktown.
Citations
External links
- The Scarlet Coat at IMDb
- The Scarlet Coat at the TCM Movie Database
- The Scarlet Coat at AllMovie
- The Scarlet Coat at the American Film Institute Catalog