Ambush (1950 film)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
1948 story in The Saturday Evening Post
by Luke Short
| Ambush | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | Sam Wood |
| Screenplay by | Marguerite Roberts |
| Based on | Ambush 1948 story in The Saturday Evening Post by Luke Short |
| Produced by | Armand Deutsch, Sam Wood |
| Starring | Robert Taylor John Hodiak Arlene Dahl |
| Cinematography | Harold Lipstein |
| Edited by | Ben Lewis |
| Music by | Rudolph G. Kopp |
| Color process | Black and white |
Production company | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
| Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer[1] |
Release date |
|
Running time | 89 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $1,754,000[3] |
| Box office | $3,215,000[3] |
Ambush is a 1950 American MGM Western film starring Robert Taylor, John Hodiak and Arlene Dahl and directed by Sam Wood, his final film in a career that spanned more than 30 years
The film is based on the serial story Ambush by Luke Short that was published in The Saturday Evening Post from December 25, 1948 to February 12, 1949.
Principal photography occurred on location at the Corriganville Ranch in Simi Valley, California. Additional location work took place in and around Gallup, New Mexico.[4]
Ambush was the first MGM film released in the 1950s[5]
In 1878, Ward Kinsman, an Indian scout turned prospector, has been persuaded by the U.S. Cavalry to find Mary Carlyle, the daughter of a general, who has been kidnapped by Apache Indians. He returns to town to find the strict Major Lorrison is in charge, having taken command from Kinsman's good friend, an injured colonel. He also meets the curvaceous Ann Carlyle, Mary's sister and Lorrison's fiancée.
On the trail with a few cavalrymen and Ann, they find an Apache encampment. Ward learns from an Apache woman that Mary has been taken by a chief named Diablito. Returning to the cavalry fort with Tana, a captive who had refused to either fight or flee, preparations are made for a full-scale expedition to find Diablito and capture or destroy him and his fellow tribesmen.
Captain Lorrison proposes marriage to Ann, but she postpones a decision. Ann tells Ward that she intends to accept his proposal, but she admits to Ward that she is not in love with him.
The expedition to find Diablito begins. Tana disappears to warn Diablito, but Ward kills him before he can. Eventually the trackers come across Diablito's camp and stampede the horses, and a gun battle ensues. A cavalry reinforcement column arrives and routs the Indians. Ward rescues Mary and Lorrison pursues a small band of escaping warriors, who ambush and decimate their pursuers. After killing Lorrison, Diablito plays dead, lying in wait for Ward, who had previously captured and returned him to a reservation. Sensing a setup, Ward leads Diablito to reveal himself and kills him.
Mary and Ann are reunited back at the fort. Ann concedes that Ward was right and that many lives would be lost while attempting to save just one. He acknowledges that someone had to stop Diablito, and Lorrison was willing to pay that price.
Cast
- Robert Taylor as Ward Kinsman
- Arlene Dahl as Ann Duverall
- John Hodiak as Capt. Ben Lorrison
- Don Taylor as Lt. Linus Delaney
- Jean Hagen as Martha Conovan
- Bruce Cowling as Tom Conovan
- Leon Ames as Maj. Breverly
- John McIntire as Frank Holly
- Pat Moriarity as Sgt. Mack
- Charles Stevens as Diablito
- Chief Thundercloud as Tana
- Ray Teal as Capt. Wolverson
- Robin Short as Lt. Storrow
- Richard Bailey as Lt. Tremaine
