_THE BATTLE AT APACHE PASS

US, 1952, 85 minutes, Colour.
John Lund, Jeff Chandler, Beverly Tyler, Susan Cabot, James Best, Regis Toomey, Richard Egan, Hugh O’ Brian, Jay Silverheels, Jack Elam.
Directed by George Sherman.

The Battle at Apache Pass is a conventional western, the type of film made by Universal Studios at the time with its stars like Rock Hudson and Tony Curtis. John Lund had been a star of the 1940s. Jeff Chandler had emerged in Broken Arrow as Cochise and plays him again here, as he did also in Tarza, Son of Cochise. There is a strong supporting cast including some actors who were to emerge in film and television series including Richard Egan and Hugh O’ Brian. Jay Silverheels, who was Tonto to the Lone Ranger, plays Geronimo in this film. Jack Elam is a sinister villain as usual.

The film echoes the openness towards Native American Indians that emerged in the late 1940s with such films as Devil’s Doorway and, especially, Broken Arrow.

1. The popularity of this kind of western in the 1950s? Cavalry? Indian wars? Openness to the Native Americans?

2. The location photography, the west, the plains, the forts, the mountains? The Indian villages? The musical score?

3. The focus on Cochise, Jeff Chandler and his playing the role in three films? His bearing, dignity? His leadership of the Apaches? His relationship with Nono? Her pregnancy, the birth of the child at the end? The other braves in the tribe? His friendship with the military, with Major Coulton? His clashes with Geronimo? The physical fight? His supporting the settlement of the west? His promoting the dignity of his people? His shock at the betrayal, his being deceived, the hostilities, the deaths, his brother? The final making peace? Getting his wife to the doctor? The status of Cochise in American tradition?

4. The contrast with Geronimo, rebel, being supplied by dissident whites? Guns, alcohol? His fight with Cochise? The fellow rebels, their impatience with the whites? The intrigues with the official for Indian issues?

5. The clashes with the military, the fights, the skirmishes? The expedition by Major Coulton? The Indian Affairs official and his intrigues, sending out the military substitute? His use of Mescal Jack as intermediary?

6. The massacre, the set-up, the evidence? The battle at Apache Pass?

7. The range of characters, the personnel in the fort? The taking of the wagon train, Mary Carney, her presence at the fort, the attraction for Major Coulton? Her care for Nono? The doctor and his care? Sergeant Bernard and his involvement, Lieutenant Harley?

8. The popular ingredients of the western film – with the new emphasis on support for the Indians and their rights?