A well-researched and beautifully written historical novel is often of far greater value than a textbook in bringing to life a period in history for the reader. Perhaps producer E. B. Derr had something of this sort in mind when he decided to do a series of program pictures with Tom Keene which placed the protagonist in the context of various events in American history. Pressbooks included suggestions for prompting teachers to endorse these historical dramas for young habitués of the Saturday matinee. Mr. Derr acquired stories written by John Thomas Neville, a Missourian whose filmed works apart from the Derr series did not fictionalize American history, and swiftly turned out DRUMS OF DESTINY and a batch of similar features.
DRUMS OF DESTINY and another entry in the series, OLD LOUISIANA, had very similar casts. Versatile Budd Buster is the rustic sidekick, "Kentuck," in both features. Carlos de Valdez portrays the stubborn, misguided Spanish official in both - and Robert Fiske is splendid as the knave who is deceiving the Spanish government for his own gain, ably assisted by Raphael Bennett, dependable heavy in scores of Westerns. Situations and players are identical in both titles. Whereas the beautiful Rita Hayworth is the leading lady in OLD LOUISIANA, however, a nearly identical role in DRUMS OF DESTINY is enacted by dancer/actress Edna Lawrence, whose very good performance causes one to wonder why her screen work was so limited.
David Sharpe is seen as Keene's brother, whom the hero must rescue from a firing squad in Florida - when the territory was yet under Spanish rule. The script makes reference to Andrew Jackson's struggles with the Seminoles and to earlier events at the Battle of New Orleans, but the focus is on vanquishing the evil-doers and permitting romance to blossom for the Spanish lady and the valiant soldier. In setting out to produce a different type of series, Mr. Derr met with success. DRUMS OF DESTINY provides the historical backdrop as well as its limited budget allows, and a good cast makes for a lively and diverting feature.
