Allegheny Uprising (1939)

In British colonial America, Captain Swanson's adherence to the rules results in Trader Callendar's selling to the Indians under cover of a government permit. Jim Smith won't sit still for ... See full summary »

Director:

William A. Seiter

Writers:

P.J. Wolfson (screen play), Neil H. Swanson (based on: the factual story "The First Rebel")

Stars:

Claire Trevor, John Wayne, George Sanders

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Claire Trevor	...	Janie
John Wayne	...	Jim Smith
George Sanders	...	Capt. Swanson
Brian Donlevy	...	Callendar
Wilfrid Lawson	...	MacDougall
Robert Barrat	...	Duncan
John F. Hamilton	...	Professor
Moroni Olsen	...	Calhoon
Eddie Quillan	...	Anderson
Chill Wills	...	M'Cammon
Ian Wolfe	...	Poole
Wallis Clark	...	McGlashan
Monte Montague	...	Morris
Olaf Hytten	...	General Gage
Eddy Waller	...	Jailer

Storyline

In British colonial America, Captain Swanson's adherence to the rules results in Trader Callendar's selling to the Indians under cover of a government permit. Jim Smith won't sit still for that. He organizes troopers to dress up as Indians and intercept the shipments which, of course, gets him thrown in jail.

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Plot Keywords:

colonial america | british | trader | fort | trial | 

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Taglines:

The Thrill-Romance Giant Of The Year! (1957 reissue poster)

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Genres:

Adventure | History | Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 November 1939 (USA)

Also Known As:

Allegheny Frontier

Filming Locations:

Lake Sherwood, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

81 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

The shirt worn by the man who was the reason for the trial was shown in court and didn't have the slightest blood stain on it.

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Quotes

James 'Jim' Smith: Put that gun down!
Janie MacDougall: I won't! I'm not going to be a widow before I'm even a wife.

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Soundtracks

"Yankee Doodle"
(uncredited)
Music traditional - English origin (ca. 1755)
Sung by the men at MacDougall's tavern
Reprised by the men after the trial
Variations in the score throughout

User Reviews

Great, forgotten film

This 1939 movie, a period piece set in the early 1760's, comes from the days when John Wayne took second billing to Claire Trevor, as he had that same year in "Stagecoach", the film that made Wayne a star. It is a somewhat forgotten film, but it doesn't deserve to be, since it tells a really good story in a really entertaining fashion. And it has a great cast.

Wayne plays Jim Smith, leader of a band of settlers of southern Pennsylvania's Conococheague Valley in the years immediately following the French and Indian War. Smith & Company's efforts to deal with a crooked Indian trader (veteran Hollywood villain Brian Donlevy) are hampered by an officious, pig-headed, and not-too-bright British Army officer (veteran Hollywood stuffed shirt George Sanders). Smith also has to deal with the local tomboy (Miss Trevor) who has a deep yearning for adventure and excitement, as well as the affections of Jim Smith.

Wilfrid Lawson also appears as MacDougall, the rowdy Scotsman who loves fighting almost as much as drinking. John F. Hamilton is the eloquent but enigmatic sidekick, known as the Professor. Moroni Olsen, possessor of one of filmdom's coolest names, is the stalwart Tom Calhoon. Veteran second-string Hollywood villain Ian Wolfe is the evil trader's Evil sidekick. Also appearing in small roles are Chill Wills (another cool name) and Charles Middleton, heretofore best known as the stone-faced Fredonian prosecutor in "Duck Soup".

Interesting historical detail: in a courtroom scene, a witness is asked to "swear or affirm" that what he's about to say is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. This should serve to remind the viewer that Pennsylvania was a Quaker Commonwealth. (Quakers don't believe in swearing, you see...)