Cattle Empire (1958)

Released from prison, a trail boss is solicited by rival cattle barons to drive their respective cattle herds to Fort Clemson.

Director:

Charles Marquis Warren

Writers:

Endre Bohem (screenplay), Eric Norden (screenplay)

Stars:

Joel McCrea, Gloria Talbott, Don Haggerty

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Joel McCrea	...	John Cord
Gloria Talbott	...	Sandy Jeffrey
Don Haggerty	...	Ralph Hamilton
Phyllis Coates	...	Janice Hamilton
Bing Russell	...	Douglas Hamilton
Richard Shannon	...	Garth
Paul Brinegar	...	Tom Jefferson Jeffrey
Charles H. Gray	...	Tom Powis (as Charles Gray)
Hal K. Dawson	...	George Washington Jeffrey
Patrick O'Moore	...	Rex Cogswell
Duane Grey	...	Juan Aruzza
William McGraw	...	Jim Whittaker (as Bill McGraw)
Jack Lomas	...	Sheriff Brewster

Storyline

After serving a five year prison sentence for allowing his men to destroy a town in a drunken spree, a trail boss is hired by the same town's leading citizen to drive their cattle to Fort Clemson. Complicating matters, a rival cattle baron also hires the cattle driver to lead his herd.

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Plot Keywords:

yuma territorial prison | territorial prison | prison | yuma arizona | violence | 

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Taglines:

When the West rocked with the thunder of the Big Cattle Drives that carved a nation out of the lawless wild! [UK]

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

In "Rawhide" Paul Brinegar's full character name was George Washington Wishbone. His brother, who showed up in the episode "Incident of the Tinker's Dam" (1960), was played by Regis Toomey. His character was named Thomas Jefferson Wishbone. In "Cattle Empire" Brinegar is Thomas Jefferson, but his brother, George Washington, is played by another actor.

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Goofs

Joel McCrea was wearing a yellow vest talking outside saloon with two buddies. When they entered the saloon seconds later, he was not wearing vest.When he eventually leaves the saloon he walks towards the door and is next seen by his horse and is then wearing his yellow waistcoat again.

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Quotes

Garth: Got your rump in two saddles at once, huh? Aren't you spreadin' your influence a little too far?

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Soundtracks

Cindy
(uncredited)
Traditional
Arranged by Paul Sawtell

User Reviews

The Formal Drama

In its time the American B western was possessed of a form as rigid as any dramatic form in existence. There would be half a dozen plots that could be used for a western and the story was usually told in a conservative fashion, using techniques that ran back to when William S. Hart, popularizer of the Good Bad Man in the movies, was one of the leading western stars. The conservatism was a combination of practicality and art: the Bs were the stomping grounds of silent A directors who wished to continue to work.... and the fact that the story took place in the outdoors meant that the outdoors formed a good part of the story.

In this one, Joel McCrea is the Good Bad Man -- a great trail boss whose men got out of control and wrecked a town. Now the town is struggling to make a comeback, and has hired McCrea to lead the drive -- and much of the town has come along on the drive The movie is beautifully shot and the plot has a revenge drama quality that makes it peculiarly interesting. Unhappily, most of the acting talent, once you get past McCrea, is less than first rate. Still, it does have its not inconsiderable charm and its easy assumption of what may seem like bizarre attitudes may give you the start of an understanding of the genre.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1958 (UK)

Also Known As:

Cattle Empire

Filming Locations:

Elfrida, Arizona, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Emirau Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

83 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Color by Deluxe)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1