Drums along the Mohawk
First screened in April 2006 / Most recently screened in January 2016
Director: John Ford. Cast: Henry Fonda, Claudette Colbert, Edna May Oliver, John Carradine, Eddie Collins, Dorris Bowdon, Chief John Big Tree, Robert Lowery, Jessie Ralph, Arthur Shields, Roger Imhof, Ward Bond, Francis Ford, Spencer Charters, Russell Simpson, Arthur Aylesworth, Paul McVey, Kay Linaker, Tiny Jones, Edwin Maxwell, Si Jenks, Jack Pennick, Mae Marsh. Screenplay: Lamar Trotti and Sonya Levien, with rumored assists by William Faulkner (based on the novel by Walter D. Edmonds).

Twitter Capsule: Antiquated depiction of Red Threat (the other one) but still a lusty, complex, rounded image of community.

VOR:   Politically limited in ways you'd predict from a 1939 film, but its views of American sociality are catholic in other ways. Fascinating mix of tones and deft use of color.



Photo © 1939 20th Century Fox

Not yet reviewed in full. Grade: B+

(in April 2006: C+)


Academy Award Nominations and Winners:
Best Supporting Actress: Edna May Oliver
Best Cinematography: Ray Rennahan and Bert Glennon

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