White Feather (1955)

The story of the peace mission from the US cavalry to the Cheyenne Indians in Wyoming during the 1870s. The mission is threatened when a civilian surveyor befriends the chief's son and ... See full summary »

Director:

Robert D. Webb

Writers:

Delmer Daves (screenplay), Leo Townsend (screenplay),

Stars:

Robert Wagner, John Lund, Debra Paget

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Robert Wagner	...	Josh Tanner
John Lund	...	Col. Lindsay
Debra Paget	...	Appearing Day
Jeffrey Hunter	...	Little Dog
Eduard Franz	...	Chief Broken Hand
Noah Beery Jr.	...	Lt. Ferguson (as Noah Beery)
Virginia Leith	...	Ann Magruder
Emile Meyer	...	Magruder
Hugh O'Brian	...	American Horse
Milburn Stone	...	Commissioner Trenton

Storyline

The story of the peace mission from the US cavalry to the Cheyenne Indians in Wyoming during the 1870s. The mission is threatened when a civilian surveyor befriends the chief's son and falls for the chief's daughter.

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Plot Keywords:

surveyor | u.s. cavalry | wyoming | cavalry | cheyenne indian | 

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Genres:

History | Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 February 1955 (USA)

Also Known As:

Die weiße Feder

Filming Locations:

Durango, Mexico

Company Credits

Production Co:

Panoramic Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.55 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

First American movie filmed (in 1954) in Durango City, Mexico, because art director Jack Martin Smith liked the soundstages in the city and found the surrounding landscapes to be just what he was looking for.

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Goofs

When Appearing Day shows Josh Tanner how the Cheyenne were practicing for war, a camera shot shows several horses entering the fray. You can see that at least one of the horses has metal horseshoes, which would not have been the case in those days.

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Connections

Referenced in Chappaqua (1966)

User Reviews

"White Feather" follows "Broken Arrow" in being another good Western that was favorably disposed to the Indian cause…

The film is a respectful telling of the 1877 campaign in Wyoming to contain the Indians by persuading them to leave the plains, sign the treaty of peace, and move to a new land in the south…

Wagner who affirms to colonel John Lund in charge of Fort Laramie that he has no feeling about Indians, makes Indians friends, particularly with two young warriors Little Dog and American Horse...

Complications arise when Chief Broken Hand's daughter Appearing Day (Debra Paget) engaged to American Horse falls in love with Tanner (Wagner) and he with her… Tanner's friendship with Little Dog grows slowly but surely… It is one of the most enduring traits of the film, having just the right amount of momentum, frustration and humor...

Jeffrey Hunter steals the show with a great performance of the proud warrior Little Dog whose pen does not fit Cheyenne warriors' hand as well as the arrow… Little Dog's blood ran hot at the council, gets angry and chooses—with his pal American Horse— to meet the troops in battle…

Eduard Franz is superb as the venerable Indian chief, Broken Hand, who called the council to tell them that on this day, they have agreed to take the offer of the white man and leave this country… Hugh O'Brian is well chosen as Hunter's best friend, American Horse… Noah Beery does one of his better work as the obedient cavalry lieutenant…

Debra Paget reprises her role as the radiant Indian girl Appearing Day who would be happy in a white man's world… We all remember her role as the delicate Indian healer girl Sonseeahray in Delmer Daves' memorable Western "Broken Arrow."

Robert D. Webb captures splendid panoramic shots that site expansive stretches of green fields and blue skies… Webb does provide a handful of transcendent moments, the most spellbinding of which is Tanner's participation in honoring his brave friend…