A Thunder of Drums (1961)

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  • A THUNDER OF DRUMS


    DIRECTED BY JOSEPH M. NEWMAN
    PRODUCED BY STANLEY BASS/ ROBERT ENDERS
    METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER (MGM)



    Plot Summary
    Captain Maddocks will never be promoted beyond Captain because of a mistake that he made in the past.
    Lt. McQuade is a green rookie who is now under the command of the tough Captain
    and he does not seem to be able to do anything right. Lt. McQuade also has trouble with Tracey,
    but it will be the renegade Indians that will test him and teach him the importance of following orders.
    Written by Tony Fontana <[email protected]>



    Full Cast
    Richard Boone ... Captain Stephen Maddocks
    George Hamilton ... Lt. Curtis McQuade
    Luana Patten ... Tracey Hamilton
    Arthur O'Connell ... Sgt. Karl Rodermill
    Charles Bronson ... Trooper Hanna
    Richard Chamberlain ... Lt. Porter
    James Douglas ... Lt. Thomas Gresham
    Tammy Marihugh ... Laurie Detweiler
    Carole Wells ... Camden Yates
    Duane Eddy ... Trooper Eddy
    Slim Pickens ... Trooper Erschick
    Clem Harvey ... Trooper Denton
    Casey Tibbs ... Trooper Baker
    Irene Tedrow ... Mrs. Scarborough
    Marjorie Bennett ... Mrs. Yates
    J. Edward McKinley ... Capt. Alan Scarborough
    Mark Allen ... Cole Daugherty (uncredited)
    John Ayres ... Captain Owen Yates (uncredited)
    Ray Dawe ... Paymaster (uncredited)
    Alice Foote ... Wife (uncredited)
    Frank Gerstle ... Trooper Drortmander (uncredited)
    Darlene Hendricks ... Daughter (uncredited)
    Carol Henry ... Trooper Hart (uncredited)
    Kenner G. Kemp ... Officer at Party (uncredited)


    Writing Credits
    James Warner Bellah


    Original Music
    Harry Sukman


    Cinematography
    William W. Spencer


    Goofs
    Anachronisms
    On the night before the final battle: around the campfire, bottom right,
    ribbed shoe-prints are clearly visible in the dust.
    They were obviously made by modern footwear with synthetic soles.


    Memorable Quotes
    Captain Stephen Maddocks:
    Bachelors make the best soldiers.
    All they have to lose is their loneliness.


    Filming Locations
    Santa Clarita, California, USA
    Old Tucson - 201 S. Kinney Road, Tucson, Arizona, USA
    Sabino Canyon, Tucson, Arizona, USA
    Vasquez Rocks, Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park - 10700 W. Escondido Canyon Rd., Agua Dulce, California, USA

    Best Wishes
    Keith
    London- England

    Edited once, last by ethanedwards ().

  • A Thunder of Drums is a 1961 Western directed by Joseph M. Newman,
    starring Richard Boone, George Hamilton and Luana Patten.


    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.


    I watched this movie initially, because as a teenager I was
    a huge Duane Eddy fan.
    However besides that, thought it an enjoyable film


    User Reviews

    Quote

    Richard Boone's interpretation compared with John Wayne, 7 December 2004
    Author: krc-1 from Sheffield, England


    This movie is interesting, as the two central characters played by Richard Boone and George Hamilton are,in the story by James Warner Bellah, Capt. Nathan Brittles and Lt. Clint Cohill, who appear in the John Ford classic 'She Wore a Yellow Ribbon'. John Wayne's gruff but fatherly character contrasts with Boone's gruff but miserable martinet. We also know (or may infer) from 'Ribbon' that it is Cohill's father,General Cohill, who has blocked Brittles's promotion. Hence the 'attitude'. Boone's character could have been played more sympathetically, but he does come across as an experienced old hand who outwits his Apache foe and in the process teaches valuable lessons to his protege.


    Best Wishes
    Keith
    London- England

  • Ethan, great idea to highlight this little known film. In another post, Ringo pointed out that it's available in widescreen from WB's burn to order catalog.
    This was a tough film for 1961 and still packs a punch. Boone's character is memorable. Bronson had not hit it big, even though he had been in "The Magnificent Seven" in 1960. He was still playing roles on TV at this time so his appearance here in a minor role is understandable.
    The Ford trilogy got me hooked on cavalry pictures and although this is not on a par with any of Ford's work, it merits viewing.




    We deal in lead, friend.

  • I know some members are planning on viewing this film soon, but I want to post a few images. There are no spoilers in this batch. Later on, if anyone is interested, I can post more.
    Here's Boone: