CANADIAN PACIFIC
DIRECTED BY EDWIN L.MARIN
MUSIC BY DIMITRI TIOMKEN
NAT HOLT PRODUCTIONS
TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX FILM CORPORATION
INFORMATION FROM IMDb
Plot Summary
After finding a vital pass through the Canadian Rockies for the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway, Tom Andrews tells his boss Cornelius Van Horne that he is resigning to marry the girl he loves, Cecille Gautier. From Cecille, Tom learns that fur trader Dirk Rourke fears the coming of the railroad because it threatens his hold on the Indians and other trappers. Tom and Rorke have a bitter fight over Cecille, and Tom asks her to wait for him, as he has to go back and finish his job with the railroad. Aided by Dynamite Dawson, Tom finds evidence of Rourke's work against the railroad construction and almost loses his life when Rourke fires into some crates of dynamite Tom is unloading. The construction camp's doctor, Edith Cabot, gives her own blood in a transfusion to save Tom's life. Cecille, realizing that her father is working with Rourke against the railroad,rides off to warn Tom. Rourke intercepts her and tells her that Tom is in love with the lady doctor, but she bullwhips ...
Written by Les Adams
Cast
Randolph Scott ... Tom Andrews
Jane Wyatt ... Dr. Edith Cabot
J. Carrol Naish ... Dynamite Dawson
Victor Jory ... Dirk Rourke
Nancy Olson ... Cecille Gautier
Robert Barrat ... Cornelius Van Horne
Walter Sande ... Mike Brannigan
Don Haggerty ... Cagle
Grandon Rhodes ... Dr. Mason
Mary Kent ... Mrs. Gautier
John Parrish ... Mr. Gautier
John Hamilton ... Pere Lacomb
Dick Wessel ... Bailey (as Richard Wessel)
Howard Negley ... Mallis
and many more...
Directed
Edwin L. Marin
Writing Credits
Jack DeWitt ... (story)(writer)
Kenneth Gamet ... (writer)
Produced
Nat Holt ... producer
Harry Howard ... associate producer
Music
Dimitri Tiomkin
Cinematography
Fred Jackman Jr.
Trivia
At the beginning when Tom Andrews is in Cornelius Van Horne's private train car, there is a picture of a 4-4-0 engine. This is a print of the Western & Atlantic Railroad engine, "The General" famous for the Andrews Raid during the American Civil War. The General used to be in Chattanooga, TN, but is now housed in Kennesaw, GA.
The CPR provided rail construction gangs that starred in the film and set up a stretch of fake tracks beside the main line.The CPR also provided an authentic 1800s construction train.
Nat Holt's debut as an independent producer after many years at RKO.
The producers employed Indians from the Yiskabee or Stony Sioux tribes to portray the natives in the film.
It's the first Cinecolor film to use a post-exposure flashing technique to enable interior scenes to be shot with less light.
Film debut of Nancy Olson.
At about 25 minutes into the movie, Nancy Olson's character lifts her left arm and we can see the armpit of her white top is discolored. We didn't often see the evidence of "ladies" perspiration on their clothing in that era of filmmaking.
Goofs
Anachronisms
Nancy Olson's hair styles, costumes, and general demeanor are all strictly in the 1949 mode, despite the fact that the story is taking place in the mid-1880s.
In the movie dynamite is used. But at the time, dynamite was a fairly recent invention, and was not yet in common use in Canada. In building the CPR, nitroglycerin was used instead.
Errors in geography
Dynamite is in frequent use, apparently as part of preparing the roadbed. But at this point they are laying track across level prairie, where no blasting is required.
Factual errors
The Metis people are often discussed, but mispronounced in this film. It should be "May-tee", not "Met-is".
Miscellaneous
At the end of the film when the Indian's come into the camp they speak in their own language, which needs to be translated by the pastor. Yet when the pastor (who the leader of railroad gang is speaking to the Indian's through) explains the railroads decision to the Indian's he speaks English back to Indians; leaving us to wonder how the Indian's now understand English.
Revealing mistakes
Tom said he thought he heard the sound of a rifle just before the dynamite blew up. But a bullet travels faster than sound, so the explosion would have taken place before the sound of the shot could reach him.
The Bailey's Saloon tent that's torn down by the train at Tom Andrews' (Randolph Scott) direction was considerably smaller than the one in which the action scenes were filmed earlier.
Several times we hear the engine's whistle blow the distinctive four blasts for a crossing; but there are no crossings yet at the railhead.
When the Indians are about to attack, Tom and the workers are alerted by the sound of drums. In reality, the Indians would not use drums while attacking.
Filming Locations
Banff, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
General Service Studios - 1040 N. Las Palmas, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA (studio)
Kicking Horse Pass, Yoho National Park, British Columbia, Canada
Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
Morley Indian Reserve, Morley, Alberta, Canada
Yoho Valley, Yoho National Park, British Columbia, Canada
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Watch the Movie
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