The Last Wagon (1956)

Wagon train survivors of an Apache attack entrust the sheriff's prisoner, scout Comanche Todd, with their lives despite his wanted-for-murder status.

Director:

Delmer Daves

Writers:

James Edward Grant (screenplay), Delmer Daves (screenplay)

Stars:

Richard Widmark, Felicia Farr, Susan Kohner

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Richard Widmark	...	Comanche Todd
Felicia Farr	...	Jenny
Susan Kohner	...	Jolie Normand
Tommy Rettig	...	Billy
Stephanie Griffin	...	Valinda Normand
Ray Stricklyn	...	Clint
Nick Adams	...	Ridge
Carl Benton Reid	...	Gen. Howard
Douglas Kennedy	...	Col. Normand
George Mathews	...	Sheriff Bull Harper
James Drury	...	Lt. Kelly
Ken Clark	...	Sergeant

Storyline

Accused of murdering three of Sheriff Bull Harper's brothers, the Comanche-reared white man, "Comanche" Todd, is captured and dragged to trial. Cautiously, as the two men ride across hostile Apache territory, they will join Colonel Normand's wagon train of women and children, only to be ambushed and massacred by the Indians whose families were slaughtered by the whites. Now, the few survivors have no other choice but to trust their dubious protector, Todd, as hundreds of vengeful Apaches track them down, thirsting for blood. Can they make it out alive?

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Plot Keywords:

apache territory | apache | arizona | arizona territory | murder | 

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Taglines:

Nothing could stop the last wagon from coming through!

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 September 1956 (USA)

Also Known As:

Der letzte Wagen

Filming Locations:

Bell Rock, Sedona, Arizona, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,670,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

3 Channel Stereo (Westrex Recording System) (5.0) (L-R)

Color:

Color (Color by Deluxe)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was the second of two films that Tommy Rettig made with Richard Widmark: he played Widmark's son in Elia Kazan's "Panic in the Streets" (1950).

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Goofs

Just before The End title comes up, you can see the shadow of the camera crew as Todd rides off.

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Quotes

[after capturing Todd, Sheriff Harper offers to join Colonel Normand's wagon train]
Col. Normand: He's safe in your custody, I suppose. It's just that we got women and children with us.
Sheriff Bull Harper: He'll be safe. The first time he don't look safe, he'll get dead.

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Crazy Credits

Opening credits prologue: 1873 Arizona Territory

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Connections

Referenced in Hollywood Screen Tests: Take 2 (1999)

User Reviews

Widmark was Attached To A Wagon Wheel !

It was great viewing this 1956 film and enjoying the great acting of a very young Richard Widmark,(Comanchi Todd), "Garden of Evil",'54, where he plays a very well experienced man who can deal with almost any situation and understands the Native Americans like a book. The film has great photography through out the entire picture and brings you back to the Old West and the troubles that men and women had to face in the wilderness. Susan Kohner,(Jolie Normand), gave a great supporting role along with Nick Adams,(Ridge), both these characters had their own feels toward Comanchi Todd and some doubted if he was man enough to get them out of many death threatening situations. Comanchi Todd had his problems with a Wagon Wheel and I thought he was never going to get himself away from its burden of weight. If you are a fan of Richard Widmark, you will greatly enjoy this film which he made into a great Western Classic.