Thanks for the photos, particularly the one of Duane Eddy.
I was a huge fan as a teenager, and he's still twangin 'away
Posts from ethanedwards in thread „A Thunder of Drums (1961)“
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Thanks for these Bill,
great photo of my teenage hero Duane Eddy
and also on the last but one
just a glimpse, to the right of Boone at the back -
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 filmUser Reviews
QuoteRichard Boone's interpretation compared with John Wayne, 7 December 2004
Author: krc-1 from Sheffield, EnglandThis 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.
QuoteGem,
11 May 2002
Author: JoeytheBritI watched this movie expecting to see a run-of-the-mill second-feature western, so I was pleasantly surprised to discover something of a gem. While this is by no means a classic, it does possess an intelligent script, nicely paced plot, great location photography, and assured direction from old hand Joseph M. Newman.
The story primarily concerns the conflict between the captain of a cavalry outpost, and a newly assigned lieutenant. Richard Boone, as the gruff, fiery-tempered captain, is nothing short of a revelation. Boone has never really made much of an impression on me in the movies of his that I have seen, but in this one he is truly outstanding, and completely convincing. Hamilton, always a lightweight actor, becomes part of the scenery in their shared scenes. In fact, Hamilton's acting is a little flat in places, especially in his final scene with Luana Patten.
This movie also boasts quite an impressive cast: Boone, Arthur O' Connell, Charles Bronson, Richard Chamberlain, Slim Pickens, Duane Eddy(!). Be sure to catch this one if it resurfaces on TV.
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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 BellahOriginal Music
Harry SukmanCinematography
William W. SpencerGoofs
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