The Swordsman (1948 film)
The Swordsman is a 1948 American swashbuckler film directed by Joseph H. Lewis and starring Larry Parks, Ellen Drew and George Macready.[2] It was produced and distributed by Columbia Pictures.
| The Swordsman | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Joseph H. Lewis |
| Written by | Wilfred H. Petitt |
| Produced by | Burt Kelly |
| Starring | Larry Parks Ellen Drew George Macready |
| Cinematography | William E. Snyder |
| Edited by | Al Clark |
| Music by | Hugo Friedhofer |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 80 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $1.7 million (US rentals)[1] |
Plot
In 18th-century in Scotland, the McArden and Glowan clans stand a violent and long hostility. Alexander, an attractive member of the McArdens clan, falls in love with the beautiful Barbara Glowan. Quickly, their relationship awakens anger of Barbara's cousin, Robert Glowan, who tries to destroy the enemy family forever. The boyfriend, anxious to marry his lover, intends that the two clans live in peace.
Cast
- Larry Parks as Alexander MacArden aka Donald Frazer
- Ellen Drew as Barbara Glowan
- George Macready as Robert Glowan
- Edgar Buchanan as Angus MacArden
- Ray Collins as MacIan, a MacArden
- Marc Platt as Murdoch Glowan
- Michael Duane as Colin Glowan
- Holmes Herbert as Lord Glowan
- Nedrick Young as Bruce Glowan
- Robert Shayne as Ronald MacArden
- Billy Bevan as Old Andrew
Production
The film was based on an original script by Wilfrid Pitit. It was originally called Annie Laurie, then in November 1946, the title was changed to The Forge Man by which time Larry Parks was set to star and Joseph H Lewis was to direct.[3] The same month, Hedda Hopper said the movie's title was Glencoe and that it was filming in secrecy.[4]
Filming finished by March 1947.[5]
Reception
The New York Times called it "a plain old fashioned horse opera" noting many of the situations and dialogue could have come straight from a Western.[6]
References
- "Top Grossers of 1948", Variety 5 January 1949 p 46
- The Swordsman at the American Film Institute Catalog
- BLONDELL TO PLAY ROLE FOR BOGEAUS: TO ACT INGENUE ROLE Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES. New York Times 19 Nov 1946: 50.
- Who Said All Work and No Play! Hopper, Hedda. The Washington Post 05 Nov 1946: 6.
- By THOMAS F BRADY Special to The New York Times. (1947, Nov 18). LARRY PARKS TO DO FILM FOR COLUMBIA.
- ' The Swordsman,' a Western, of the Scottish Type, With Larry Parks, Ellen Drew, Seen at Capitol By BOSLEY CROWTHER. New York Times 17 Oct 1947: 18.
External links
- The Swordsman at IMDb
- The Swordsman at AllMovie
- The Swordsman at the TCM Movie Database
- Review of film at Variety