The Shepherd of the Hills (1941)

Young Matt Masters, an Ozark Mountains moonshiner, hates the father he has never seen, who apparently deserted Matt's mother and left her to die. His obsession contributes to the hatred ... See full summary »

Director:

Henry Hathaway

Writers:

Harold Bell Wright (novel), Grover Jones (screenplay),

Stars:

John Wayne, Betty Field, Harry Carey

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Wayne	...	Young Matt
Betty Field	...	Sammy Lane
Harry Carey	...	Daniel Howitt
Beulah Bondi	...	Aunt Mollie
James Barton	...	Old Matt
Samuel S. Hinds	...	Andy Beeler
Marjorie Main	...	Granny Becky
Ward Bond	...	Wash Gibbs
Marc Lawrence	...	Pete
John Qualen	...	Coot Royal
Fuzzy Knight	...	Mr. Palestrom
Tom Fadden	...	Jim Lane
Olin Howland	...	Corky
Dorothy Adams	...	Elvy
Virita Campbell	...	Baby

Storyline

Young Matt Masters, an Ozark Mountains moonshiner, hates the father he has never seen, who apparently deserted Matt's mother and left her to die. His obsession contributes to the hatred rampant in the mountains. However, the arrival of a stranger, Daniel Howitt, begins to positively affect the mountain people, who learn to shed their hatred under his gentle influence. Still, Matt does not quite trust Howitt.....

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Plot Keywords:

hate | six shooter | cabin | fire | cowboy boots | 

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Taglines:

Fury in the wild Ozarks! Hatred unleashed on the "Trail of the Lonsome Pine"!

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 July 1941 (USA)

Also Known As:

El pastor de las colinas

Filming Locations:

Big Bear Lake, Big Bear Valley, San Bernardino National Forest, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of over 700 Paramount Productions, filmed between 1929 and 1949, which were sold to MCA/Universal in 1958 for television distribution, and have been owned and controlled by Universal ever since.

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Goofs

When Old Mat goes into the house at Moaning Meadow and opens the window there are papers (probably sheet music) on the piano. When the camera angle changes the papers are gone.

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Quotes

Young Matt: The bigger the man, the deeper the imprint. And when he's in love, he suffers knowing it's a dead end.

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Connections

Remade as The Shepherd of the Hills (1964)

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Soundtracks

"There's a Happy Hunting Ground"
(uncredited)
Written by Sam Coslow

User Reviews

A lyric piece of film making.

This is John Wayne's first color film and my only complaint is that the cinematographer failed to pick up the unique almost purple color of his eyes!

Taken from a much-loved novel of the time, The Shepard of the Hills tells a simple story exceptionally well.

An older man appears at a cabin door and gives aid without a question as to how the accident happened. He saves a child. He wants to purchase a piece of property and settle down.

The mountain people of the Ozark region do not welcome strangers, yet this man seems to fit in with his quiet ways and his vast knowledge of the outside world most of the mountain people have never seen.

Harry Carey is this quiet man. He is splendid in every scene. John Wayne plays 'Young Matt Matthews'a young man still mourning his mother and who has sworn a blood oath to kill the man responsible, his father.

Betty Field is marvelous as 'Young Matt's' girlfriend. Harry Carey thoughtful and quietly charming at 'Mr. Howard', the Shepard of the Hills, as his new neighbors call him. Beula Bondi is fascinating as 'Aunt Molly' and Margery Main shines as the blind woman that 'Mr. Howard' sends to the city to have her sight restored.

Many of the scenes are extraordinary for their detail and sense of authenticity.

Some are incredibly beautiful. For example, when 'Mr. Howard' meets the young man who was struck by lightning and can no longer speak.

A thoroughly absorbing and skillfully made film well worth watching again and again.