6.5/10
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17 user 7 critic

Thunder Over the Plains (1953)

Approved | | Romance, War, Western | 27 October 1953 (USA)
Thunder Over the Plains Poster
In Post-Bellum Texas, an army captain tries to keep the peace between overtaxed, impoverished farmers and greedy carpetbaggers.

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(as Russell Hughes)

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Cast

Complete credited cast:
...
...
...
...
...
Lt. Col. Chandler
...
Joseph Standish
...
H.L. Balfour
...
Mike Faraday
...
Conrad
...
Kirby
Mark Dana ...
Lt. Williams
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Storyline

It's 1869, Texas has not yet been readmitted to the Union, and carpetbaggers have taken over the state. Federal Captain Porter, a Texan, has to carry out orders against his own people. He brings in the rebel leader whom he knows is innocent of the murder for which he is charged. But in trying to prove his innocence, Porter now finds he is a wanted man. Written by Maurice VanAuken <mvanauken@a1access.net>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

texas | carpetbagger | post bellum | union | texan | See All (48) »

Taglines:

HIS WAS THE MOMENT HE HAD TO COUNT HIS BULLETS...because he couldn't count on his friends! (original insert-card poster) See more »

Genres:

Romance | War | Western

Certificate:

Approved | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

27 October 1953 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Come on Texas  »

Filming Locations:

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Company Credits

Production Co:

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(RCA Sound System)

Color:

(WarnerColor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

First role for Lex Barker after completing five Tarzan movies. See more »

Goofs

The Cavalry men are seen using Cold Model 1873 pistols in a movie that takes place in 1869. See more »

Quotes

Norah Porter: Whatever became of Frances Bilky?
Captain Bill Hodges: I don't know. She married a colonel, I think. Maybe it was a general. At any rate, she outranks all of us.
Norah Porter: But that's wonderful! Now she'll have her lifelong ambition to lead the cotillion. Well, I guess that's what I always wanted too.
Captain Bill Hodges: You don't have anything like that around here, do you, Captain?
Captain David Porter: Oh, I don't know. The Indians come down once a month and dance for us.
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Connections

Referenced in They Came to Rob Las Vegas (1968) See more »

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User Reviews

Complex but Entertaining
16 April 2012 | by – See all my reviews

Complex western that manages pretty well to stay afloat. You may need a scorecard since the screenplay involves four different factions bouncing off one another. Scott displays his usual iron-jawed determination as the captain torn between loyalty to his native Texas and the Union cavalry. The bad guys, as usual in these post-Civil War oaters, are the greedy carpetbaggers, headed up by that excellent actor Hugh Sanders. And who can overlook perennial fall guy Elisha Cook doing his usual fierce rabbit bit.

The rivalry between the two captains, Scott and Barker, is an interesting feature, especially when it extends to Scott's wife (Kirk). That scene where the home-sick wife is captivated by the handsome Barker is both well played and unusual for a western. Note too how Scott is compelled by the byplay to fade into the background, another unusual feature for a western hero.

Though filmed just west of LA, the rolling scenery makes a good Technicolor backdrop to the action. Much credit for making the elements work should go to director de Toth who was skilled at handling conflict as shown in his masterwork, Ramrod (1947). The redoubtable Sam Peckinpah also selected de Toth to direct many episodes of his groundbreaking TV series The Westerner (1960).

On the whole, it's a complicated story of personal and political conflict but still delivers the goods for fans of westerns.
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