A Distant Trumpet *** (1964, Troy Donahue, Suzanne Pleshette, Diane McBain, James Gregory, William Reynolds) – Classic Movie Review 6819

Director Raoul Walsh’s last film is a robustly handled but soapy cavalry Western about problems with romance, discipline and Indians on the warpath at Fort Delivery, a frontier outpost in Arizona Territory.

There, rookie Second Lieutenant Matt Hazard (Troy Donahue) falls for Mrs Kitty Mainwaring (Suzanne Pleshette), the lovely and lusty young wife of his commanding officer, First Lieutenant Teddy Mainwaring (William Reynolds) – and then his fiancée hoves up too. She is Laura Frelief (Diane McBain), the niece of Major General Alexander Upton Quaint (James Gregory).

A Distant Trumpet (1964) boasts robust direction with strong action scenes from the 77-year-old veteran Walsh, who made High Sierra and White Heat. That and the fine work from the supporting players make up for a routine, often vacuous screenplay, based on a novel by Paul Horgan, and the wooden acting from the pretty lead players, though admittedly they have difficult dialogue to negotiate.

The other two main assets are the Technicolor cinematography (William H Clothier) and score (Max Steiner), which help to add up to a first-rate Warner Bros production

Also in the cast are Claude Akins, Kent Smith, Judson Pratt, Bartlett Robinson, Bobby Bare, Larry Ward, Richard X Slattery, Mary Patton, Russell Johnson, Lane Bradford and Guy Eltsosis.

A Distant Trumpet is directed by Raoul Walsh, runs 117 minutes, is made by Warner Bros, is written by John Twist, Albert Beich and Richard Fielder, based on a novel by Paul Horgan, is shot in Technicolor and widescreen by William H Clothier, is produced by William H Wright, is scored by Max Steiner, and is designed by William L Campbell.

Troy Donahue (1936–2001).

The teen idol heart-throb Donahue was enjoying a hit career with A Summer Place, Parrish, Susan Slade, Rome Adventure (1962) and Palm Springs Weekend.

Suzanne Pleshette (1937–2008).

In 1964, Pleshette wed Donahue, her co-star in Rome Adventure (1962) and A Distant Trumpet, but the marriage lasted less than a year, ending apparently acrimoniously after just eight months.

Walsh retired and lived on till 31 December 1980, when he was 93.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 6819

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