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Buffalo Bill

  • 19441944
  • PGPG
  • 1h 30m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
1.5K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Maureen O'Hara and Joel McCrea in Buffalo Bill (1944)
Western

The story of William "Buffalo Bill" Cody, legendary westerner, from his days as an army scout to his later activities as owner of a Wild West show.The story of William "Buffalo Bill" Cody, legendary westerner, from his days as an army scout to his later activities as owner of a Wild West show.The story of William "Buffalo Bill" Cody, legendary westerner, from his days as an army scout to his later activities as owner of a Wild West show.

IMDb RATING
6.4/10
1.5K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • William A. Wellman
  • Writers
    • Æneas MacKenzie(screenplay)
    • Clements Ripley(screenplay)
    • Cecile Kramer(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Joel McCrea
    • Maureen O'Hara
    • Linda Darnell
Top credits
  • Director
    • William A. Wellman
  • Writers
    • Æneas MacKenzie(screenplay)
    • Clements Ripley(screenplay)
    • Cecile Kramer(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Joel McCrea
    • Maureen O'Hara
    • Linda Darnell
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 28User reviews
    • 8Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos22

    Anthony Quinn, Chief Many Treaties, and Joel McCrea in Buffalo Bill (1944)
    Joel McCrea in Buffalo Bill (1944)
    Maureen O'Hara and Joel McCrea in Buffalo Bill (1944)
    Maureen O'Hara and Joel McCrea in Buffalo Bill (1944)
    Anthony Quinn, Matt Briggs, Chief Many Treaties, and Larry Lawson in Buffalo Bill (1944)
    Joel McCrea in Buffalo Bill (1944)
    Maureen O'Hara and Joel McCrea in Buffalo Bill (1944)
    Joel McCrea in Buffalo Bill (1944)
    Matt Briggs in Buffalo Bill (1944)
    Linda Darnell in Buffalo Bill (1944)
    Anthony Quinn in Buffalo Bill (1944)
    Maureen O'Hara, Linda Darnell, and Joel McCrea in Buffalo Bill (1944)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Joel McCrea
    Joel McCrea
    • William Frederick 'Buffalo Bill' Codyas William Frederick 'Buffalo Bill' Cody
    Maureen O'Hara
    Maureen O'Hara
    • Louisa Frederici Codyas Louisa Frederici Cody
    Linda Darnell
    Linda Darnell
    • Dawn Starlightas Dawn Starlight
    Thomas Mitchell
    Thomas Mitchell
    • Ned Buntlineas Ned Buntline
    Edgar Buchanan
    Edgar Buchanan
    • Sgt. Chips McGrawas Sgt. Chips McGraw
    Anthony Quinn
    Anthony Quinn
    • Chief Yellow Handas Chief Yellow Hand
    Moroni Olsen
    Moroni Olsen
    • Sen. Fredericias Sen. Frederici
    Frank Fenton
    Frank Fenton
    • Murdo Carvellas Murdo Carvell
    Matt Briggs
    Matt Briggs
    • Gen. Blazieras Gen. Blazier
    George Lessey
    George Lessey
    • Mr. Schyler Vandervereas Mr. Schyler Vandervere
    Frank Orth
    Frank Orth
    • Sherman - Shooting Gallery Owneras Sherman - Shooting Gallery Owner
    Carl Andre
    • Trooperas Trooper
    • (uncredited)
    Arthur Aylesworth
    Arthur Aylesworth
    • Pool Player Debunking Codyas Pool Player Debunking Cody
    • (uncredited)
    Evelyn Beresford
    Evelyn Beresford
    • Queen Victoriaas Queen Victoria
    • (uncredited)
    Edward Biby
    Edward Biby
    • Sergeantas Sergeant
    • (uncredited)
    Sidney Blackmer
    Sidney Blackmer
    • Theodore Rooseveltas Theodore Roosevelt
    • (uncredited)
    Billy Bletcher
    Billy Bletcher
    • Short Manas Short Man
    • (uncredited)
    William A. Boardway
    William A. Boardway
    • Washington DC Cafe Customeras Washington DC Cafe Customer
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • William A. Wellman
    • Writers
      • Æneas MacKenzie(screenplay)
      • Clements Ripley(screenplay)
      • Cecile Kramer(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit
    A fictionalized account of the life of William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody. A hunter and Army Scout in the early part of his life, he rescues a US Senator and his beautiful daughter, Louisa Frederici. Cody is portrayed as someone who admires and respects the Indians and is a good friend of Yellow Hand who will eventually become Chief of the Cheyenne. Everyone else, including the military, politicians and businessmen on the other hand hate the Indians and are perfectly prepared to trample on their lands and destroy their buffalo hunting grounds. He's eventually forced to fight the Cheyenne however. He's also met a writer, Ned Buntline, who writes about Cody's exploits and he becomes a sensation when he travels East. His career is not assured however, particularly when he attacks those in positions of authority over their maltreatment of the Native American population. He eventually establishes his wild west show that becomes an international sensation. —garykmcd
    reference to arizonazion national parkbuffaloracial prejudicereference to kit carson138 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • His adventure made him a hero.His showmanship made him a legend.
    • Genre
      • Western
    • Certificate
      • PG
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Much of Cody's life as depicted in the film was true: He did fight to the death with Chief Yellow Hand and he did receive the Congressional Medal of Honor (although it was rescinded in 1917 because he was not in the army); his son, Kit Carson Cody, did die (but of scarlet fever, not diphtheria); his wife (not the daughter of a senator) had three other children.
    • Goofs
      When Bill receives the letter regarding his son's illness the letter is dated the 20th of Aug. and after that date he receives an invitation for an event dated Aug. 15.
    • Quotes

      William F. 'Buffalo Bill' Cody: What killed my son?

      Doctor: Diptheria.

      William F. 'Buffalo Bill' Cody: What's that?

      Doctor: A germ.

      William F. 'Buffalo Bill' Cody: Where does it come from?

      Doctor: Water systems... and sewage. It's a crowd disease. A disease of civilization.

    • Connections
      Edited from Drums Along the Mohawk (1939)
    • Soundtracks
      Taps
      (1862) (uncredited)

      Written by Daniel Butterfield

      Played offscreen by a bugler

    User reviews28

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Buffalo Bill (1944)
    While as Biography, "Buffalo Bill" is probably as accurate as the depiction of Custer in "They Died With Their boots On", it is still excellent film making and a fine vehicle for stalwart Joel McCrea, who, despite performances in excellent non-westerns such as "Sullivan's Travels" and "Foreign Correspondent" was known primarily as a Cowboy Star.

    I would also hold this film up as another example, along with John Ford's Cavalry Trilogy, of a film which depicted Native Americans as a noble race, victimized by the march of western civilization, long before the advent of films such as "Little Big Man" or "Dances With Wolves" The White Man is clearly the villain in this and the Ford films. Early on, Cody admonishes a Government representative, telling him that Yellow hand (Anthony Quinn, who also plays Crazy Horse in "They Died With Their boots On") is a Prince of his people, and should be treated as such.

    Plus, if the reunion at the shooting gallery and the Wild West Show farewell scenes don't put a lump in your throat, better check your pulse.
    helpful•14
    3
    • amazeika
    • Apr 25, 2005

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 1944 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Buffalo Bill, der weiße Indianer
    • Filming locations
      • House Rock Canyon, Arizona, USA
    • Production company
      • Twentieth Century Fox
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 30 minutes
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

    Related news

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    Charlie Robinson, ‘Night Court’ Actor, Dead at 75
    Jul 13Rollingstone.com
    Charlie Robinson Dies: ‘Night Court’ & ‘Buffalo Bill’ Actor Was 75
    Charlie Robinson Dies: ‘Night Court’ & ‘Buffalo Bill’ Actor Was 75
    Jul 12Deadline Film + TV

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