La poursuite fantastique

Monogram Pictures changed its name to Allied Artists in an effort to change its image from that of a cheap B-studio. For the most part, it didn't really work. Allied Artists' product suffered from the same deficiencies that Monogram's did: shoddy production values, lesser talent--both in front of and behind the cameras--and a lack of originality in its stories. This film, however, does not fall into that mold. While the story--survivors of an Indian attack make their way across the desert to safety--may seem trite, what is done with it isn't. Director Harold D. Schuster, a former editor, is hardly a household name, but he has made several tight little B pictures (1954's "Loophole" is a first-rate film-noir thriller about a bank teller framed for a robbery), and this is one of them. Dennis O'Keefe does a very good job as a cavalry officer who survives an Indian attack, and must lead a disparate group to safety across the desert. They come across a group of traders who aren't exactly what they seem to be, and must band together with them for mutual protection. Jack Elam plays a gunfighter who isn't quite what he seems to be, either. There's a good musical score, Schuster handles the action scenes quite well, and there are some interesting plot twists. Altogether, a well-paced, intriguing little western, highly recommended.

A small group of travellers stranded in the Arizona Desert. One of the group is an outlaw (Barry O'Sullivan) who is being taken to trial, and another is a cavalry captain (Dennis O'Keefe) whose troop has been wiped out by the Apaches. Matters are complicated by the presence of two women and an unscrupulous gunrunner.

Dragoon Wells Massacre is a western featuring an assortment of characters left to fend off the Apaches in the rough terrain, however there's some effort to add some refreshing elements such as fleshing out the characters. It's tautly-drawn, has great cinematography and some good action, but it's the characters that makes this film interesting. The acting is great too, particularly Jack Elam, who plays a misunderstood man. Mona Freeman can be an irritating character with her self-centredness, but the other characters such as Barry Sullivan put her in her place.

The most striking thing about this movie is just how splendid it looks ,thanks to the wonderful Technicolor photography by William Clothier .His credits also include Cheyenne Autumn and The Alamo(John Wayne version).He makes superb use of the rugged outdoors locations and does not neglect close-ups which also look very fine indeed .

The plot is pretty standard fare in the Western -a trek by wagon train across hostile Indian country .The train is being escorted by Captain Riordan (Dennis O'Keefe).Among its passengers is a US Marshall (Trevor Bardette) ,his prisoner ,a killer (Barry Sullivan) a lady of the night (Katy Jurado)a "nice girl"(Mona Freeman)and sundry others.They are forced to put aside their differences in the face of repeated attacks by hostiles and form a bond wrought by adversity .

The script gives each of the figures on the train a turn in the spotlight and the cast responds well with a string of strong performances well in evidence .Especially noteworthy is Jack Elam in a rare sympathetic role. Veteran action director Harold Schuster keeps things moving and the overall result is a strong ,well made Western that will please most genre lovers

Marshal Bill Haney, his assistant Tom and driver Jud are transporting prisoners Link Ferris and Tioga through Apache Indian territory and hopefully on to Fort Smith, Arkansas. On an adjacent trail, shifty Indian trader Jonah McAdam happens upon a cavalry troop that has been massacred by the Yellow Claw lead Apaches, the only survivor of the attack is Capt. Riordan, who orders McAdam to take him to Fort Dragoon Wells. Before they set off they are met by the prison wagon and not too long after that a stagecoach carrying Ann Bradley, Phillip Scott and Mexican entertainer Mara Fay also arrives on the scene. All of them now under serious threat of attacks by the Apaches. So Riordan orders the two prisoners to be unshackled so they can aid the defence of the group as they attempt to make it to Fort Dragoon Wells. But the Apache are not the only problem facing them, not all in the group are quite what they seem and with food and water at a premium, the odds are heavily stacked against them making it to safety.

As it was directed by journeyman Harold D. Schuster and coming out of B-studio Allied Artists, the omens weren't that great for Dragoon Wells Massacre being anything other than a poor B Western picture. That it breaks free from budgetary restrains and becomes a fine genre entry is largely down to three key points. First is the screenplay by Warren Douglas, secondly is a few fine acting performances and thirdly is having William Clothier on cinematography duties.

Though very similar in plotting to a number of other Westerns, this boasts a great script that gives weighty substance to the characters, and with Schuster effectively not letting the pace sag, the pic is both entertaining and intriguing. It would have been easy for this to turn out as a bunch of stereotypical caricatures meandering across the plains, but thanks to Douglas these become real people in very real peril. They not only must survive the constant attacks as the Indians try to pick them off at opportune moments, they must also survive each other. Thus with twists and surprising developments popping up during the journey, story doesn't lack for inventiveness.

Casting aside Mona Freeman's awful and grating on the nerves turn as Ann Bradley, the cast deliver some quality characterisations, particularly notable are Barry Sullivan (Ferris), Dennis O'Keefe (Riordan), Jack Elam (Tioga) & Katy Jurado (Mara Fay). While Sebastian Cabot is weasel personified as Jonah McAdam. William Clothier is no strange name to Western fans, his work with John Ford, Howard Hawks & Budd Boetticher ensures he's a name to be excited about on a Western credit list. As usual, he doesn't disappoint. Superbly photographing the rugged terrain (Kanab, Utah) as it imposes on our under duress group, he also does fine work with the close up shots as well. Shot in CinemaScope with De Luxe Color, it's a shame that the print is of average quality.

This is a film that is crying out to be remastered, but its lesser known status lends one to believe that that is unlikely to ever happen. However, it's a testament to Clothier's ability that the piece still manages to look fabulous. There's some bad editing in the mix, and in truth Schuster is no skilled craftsman when it comes to action set pieces. Yet the faults are easily forgiven, for this is all about character emphasis, as nobody on this journey is merely canon fodder, they all are given time and thought to involve the audience. So that coupled with Clothier's work makes this a strong Western that's recommended with confidence to the serious Western fan. 7.5/10

Dragoon Wells Massacre(1957) is an engaging effort about two disparate groups of travelers who must band together to fight off savage Indians . As a cavalry officer, Capt. Matt Riordan (Dennis O'Keefe) , the sole survivor of an Indian assault , along with stagecoach passengers (Mona Freeman , Katy Jurado , Max Showalter) and a wagon load of prisoners (Barry Sullivan) travel through hostile Indian country. The column remains under the command of the officer , along with a wagon owned by traitor gunrunner Jonah (Sebastian Cabot) that contains hidden repeating rifles , Winchester rifles , ammunition , supplies and whiskey for the rebellious Indians . As the expedition heading for an Union Fort and along the way suffering rampaging native American attacks commanded by Yellow Claw (John War Eagle) , Jeronimo's follower .

Standard Western set during the Arizona Indian Wars with the rebel upheaval of brave chief Yellow Claw , when fear and violence spread throughout the land . This one shows a campy , amusing and entertaining glimpse in the Wild West . This sharp, well-paced film packs thrills , noisy action , horse pursuits , crossfire , high body-count , and it is fast-moving and quite entertaining . It's a medium/low budget film with passable actors , technicians , functional production values and pleasing results . There is plenty of action in the movie , guaranteeing some shoot'em up or stunts every few minutes . Bursting with appealing characters, interesting themes as the peculiar relationships among the prisoners and soldiers, romance , sub-plots , and with very decent filmmaking and interpretation . There is an odd implementation of shots in the camera work during some particular scenes as the film approaches its climax , as the battles between the besieged people and Indians . Nice production design creating an adequate scenario with luminous outdoors , plains , montains and rocky landscapes under a glimmer sun and atmospheric sets but in B-series style . Here stands out its top-notch main and support cast with plenty of famous actors such as Barry Sullivan , Dennis O'Keefe , Mona Freeman, Katy Jurado , Sebastian Cabot , Max Showalter , Jack Elam , Trevor Bardette and Hank Worden , John Ford's regular . Schuster's western Dragoon Wells Massacre (1957) , despite its potboiler title, has nice writing, a rousing score by Paul Dunlap and Schuster's tight direction raise this several notches above the product normally churned out by its studio, the usually low-grade Allied Artists. As well colorful cinematography by expert cameraman William H. Clothier , though a perfect remastering being really necessary, due to the film copy is faded.

This well-crafted B western was decently directed by veteran programmer man, Harold D. Schuster . A highly regarded editor, in fact he cut the classic Murnau's Sunrise (1927) , Harold D. Schuster started out in films as an actor. It didn't take him long to abandon that career, and he turned to the production side of the business, working his way up to editor and eventually taking the reins as a director. While much of his directorial output is run-of-the-mill , there are some real gems scattered throughout such as My Friend Flicka (1943) . Although typed as an "outdoors" director, Schuster could turn out tough, gritty little thrillers when he wanted to, such as Loophole (1954), about a bank teller who gets framed for an embezzlement; it ranks right up there with the edgy crime dramas of Don Siegel and Phil Karlson. Schuster made all kinds of genres in films as Wings of the morning , South of Karanga , Breakfast in Hollywood , Security Risk , Loophole , Jack Slade , Girl Trouble , The Postman Didn't Ring , Small Town Deb , On the Sunny Side , A Very Young Lady , Zanzibar , Frame , Bomber's Moon , My Friend Flicka . Schuster eventually turned to series television, and finished out his career there , directing episodes of notorious series such as Twilight zone , Legend of Jesse James, U. S. Marshall , Wire Service, Detective McGraw , Zane Grey , Lassie , Tombstone Territory , among others .