Fort Defiance ** (1952, Dane Clark, Ben Johnson, Peter Graves) – Classic Movie Review 12,554

‘This is killer country… and the story of the guns that won its glory!’

Ben Johnson enlivens director John Rawlins’s modest, cheaply made 1952 colour Western film Fort Defiance as Ben Shelby, a never-say-die Texan, seeking revenge for his brother’s killing.

Shelby chases US Civil War deserter Johnny Tallon (Dane Clark) across Indian land. First he finds Clark’s blind brother Ned (Peter Graves) and uncle Charlie (George Cleveland).

Apart from the asset of a distinguished Johnson performance, it also does have the big benefit of looking great in Cinecolor thanks to ace cinematographer Stanley Cortez.

Also Tracey Roberts, George Cleveland, Dennis Moore, Iron Eyes Cody, Ralph Sanford, Craig Woods, Dick Elliott, Kit Guard, Duke York, and Phil Rawlins.

The film is written by Louis Lantz, is made by Ventura Pictures Corporation, and was released on 9 October 1951 by United Artists.

It runs 82 minutes.

The cast are Dane Clark as Johnny Tallon, Ben Johnson as Ben Shelby, Peter Graves as Ned Tallon, Tracey Roberts as Julie Morse, George Cleveland as Uncle Charlie Tallon, Ralph Sanford as Stagecoach Driver Jed Brown,  Iron Eyes Cody as Brave Bear, Dennis Moore as Lt. Lucas, Craig Woods as Dave Parker, Dick Elliott as Kincaid, Bryan ‘Slim’ Hightower as Hankey, Phil Rawlins as Les, Jerry Ambler as Cheyenne, Kit Guard as Tracy, Wes Hudman as Stranger, and Hugh Hooker as Ed.

© Derek Winnert 2023 – Classic Movie Review 12,554

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