BUGLES IN THE AFTERNOON

US, 1952, 85 minutes, Colour.
Ray Milland, Hugh Marlowe, Helena Carter, Forrest Tucker, Barton Mac Lane, George Reeves, Gertrude Michael.
Directed by Roy Rowland.

Bugles in the afternoon is a routine western, a story about the military and clashes with Indians. There is a human drama, a clash of personalities underlying it. It is the material that John Ford Treated so well.

Set in the Dakota territories in the 1870s, the film also has a glimpse of Little Big Horn. However, it focuses on Ray Milland as a cashiered officer. Milland is too suave a gentleman to be quite credible in this role, especially in an amiable fight with Forrest Tucker. Richard Carlson is the villain.

1.Entertaining western? The cavalry? Indians? Personal clash?

2.Colour photography, the western settings? Musical score?
3.The title, the focus, the clash with the Indians?

4.Kern, his being cashiered, travelling to Dakota, the friendship with Josephine? Enlisting, friendship with Myles? Clash with Garnett and memories of the past? His earning his stripes, the fight with Donovan? Missions, clashes with Garnett, the woodcutting mission and the clash with the Indians? The mission of Custer? The fight, his being pursued with Donovan by the Indians, their deaths? The final clash with Garnett, his being shot by the Indian? The friendship with Josephine, clashes because of Garnett? His being wounded, her brooch, the happy ending?

5.Garnett, the past, stealing Kern's girl? The sabre? In charge, needling him? Orders? Dangerous missions, sending him to the Indians? The dangerous pursuit, the final fight and his death? Rivalry over Josephine?

6.Josephine as a heroine, strength of character, attachment to the two men, in love with Kern? Her being at his side at the end?

7.Donovan and the Irish in the army, bragging, fighting, friendships? His death? The other enlisted men?

8.Myles and his authority, friendship with Kern, the letter to the president and the pardon?

9.The picture of the Indians, reduced to the territories of Dakota, fighting against the cavalry? Little Big Horn? The battles?

10.Familiar western themes? The American heritage?