The Kentuckian (1955)

A Kentucky widower bound for 1820's Texas with his young son is thwarted in his efforts by a corrupt constable, a long-standing family feud, and a beautiful indentured servant.

Director:

Burt Lancaster

Writers:

A.B. Guthrie Jr. (screenplay), Felix Holt (novel)

Stars:

Burt Lancaster, Dianne Foster, Diana Lynn

1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Burt Lancaster	...	Elias Wakefield (Big Eli)
Dianne Foster	...	Hannah Bolen
Diana Lynn	...	Susie Spann
John McIntire	...	Zack Wakefield
Una Merkel	...	Sophie Wakefield
John Carradine	...	Fletcher
John Litel	...	Pleasant Tuesday Babson
Rhys Williams	...	Constable
Edward Norris	...	Roulette Dealer
Walter Matthau	...	Stan Bodine
Donald MacDonald	...	Little Eli Wakefield

Storyline

A frontiersman in 1820s Kentucky finds the area too civilized for his tastes, so he makes plans for he and his son to leave for the wild Texas country. However, he buys an indentured servant along the way, and her presence throws a monkey wrench into his plans.

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Plot Keywords:

indentured servant | kentucky | 1820s | texas | family feud | 

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Taglines:

Hunter...Frontiersman...Adventurer!

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Genres:

Drama | Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 August 1955 (Japan)

Also Known As:

The Gabriel Horn

Filming Locations:

Cumberland Falls State Park, Corbin, Kentucky, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

United Artists, Hecht-Lancaster Productions, James Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.55 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The riverboat used in the movie was the Delta Queen. The company spent almost $10,000 to add the fake smokestacks.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Little Eli Wakefield: How long now, Pa? How many more days?
Elias Wakefield: We ain't much more than started!

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Connections

Referenced in Hollywood Remembers Walter Matthau (2001)

User Reviews

Who Dast? Who Dast?! (who dares/darest)

That was the boastful phrase uttered by Walter Matthau to everyone else at the gathering; he stood before them snapping his bullwhip in air, its wicked cracking part of an old cultural ritual where a man stands before the tribe boasting of his might.

This movie is totally underrated--not only does Matthau give one of his best performances in a smaller role, but there is tons of folklore and history in this gem.