20th Century-Fox Dynamo (1954)

In a climax that will unquestionably rank as one of the screen’s most exciting and memorable scenes, Little Dog, pre- ferring death to surrendering his tribe’s land to the white man, defiantly chal- lenges a company of cavalrymen, well knowing he will be killed. Appearing Day tells Josh she has left her tribe to go with him. He, too, has fallen in love with her, but his plea she return to the man to whom she has promised falls on deaf ears. . . In the end, with her father’s unrevealed blessing, they are married. “WHITE FEATHER” THE BEST INDIAN STORY EVER FILMED! The romantic beauty of “Ramona,” the exciting suspense in "Apache,” the warmth and understanding of the lovable characters in “Broken Arrow,” the dramatic impact of “Broken Lance”—these are some of the ingredients that reportedly make “White Feather” the best Indian story ever filmed—in any dimension. Photographed in Cinemascope, this Panoramic special in Technicolor, conies off as memorable entertainment for every age and type of moviegoer. Delmer Daves, who wrote "Broken Arrow,” and Leo Townsend collaborated on the screenplay, based on the story, "My Great-Aunt, Appearing Day.” Produced by Robert L. Jacks and directed by Robert Webb, " White Feather” is reasonably certain of taking its place among the more important classic dramas inspired by the Indians’ fight for sur- vival against the onrush of the fortune-hunting, empire-building white man. The story co-stars Robert Wagner, as a young surveyor in the employ of a St. Louis syndicate of business men who seek an expansive stake in the Black Hills country in 1877, not for gold but land, for his employers believe where there is gold there will be a city sooner or later; Jeffrey Hunter, as a brave, young warrior, Little Dog, who refuses to to allow the white man to push him and his Cheyennes out of their land; Debra Paget as a pretty Indian girl. Appearing Day, daughter of the chief, promised to another warrior for two hundred ponies; John Lund as the harrassed Col. Lindsay of the U.S. Army charged with making peace with the Indians; Virginia Leith as Ann, an outcast even with her father; Hugh O'Brian as American Horse, a young Cheyenne maverick, and Edward Franz as Chief Broken Hand. “White Feather” concerns itself largely with the hopeless opposition of the Chey- ennes to join other tribes in making peace with the government. Ten years previous the government had signed a pact with the Indians declaring the land belonged to them “then and forever.” Now, that same government is trying to force them to sign another treaty saying the land belongs to the white man. The Cheyennes reftise to sign, but, out- numbered, reluctantly agree. . .all except the young warriors, led by the chiefs own son. . . who fight in the “Valley of the Heroic Dead”. American Horse, blaming Josh for Appearing Day’s renunciation of their betrothal, surprises him at the fort and attempts to kill him. He is confined to the fort prison, but that night Little Dog and other Cheyennes manage to effect his escape. Ann Magruder (Virginia Leith), who despises men after a seductive betrayal by a man whom she loved, finds a sym- pathetic friend in Josh. But, her dream that friendship would ripen into love is blasted when Appearing Day wins his heart. Josh (Robert Wagner), a surveyor who, while sympathizing with the Cheyennes believes white man’s progress can tol- erate no interference, learns that Chief Broken Hand’s pretty daughter, Appearing Day (Debra Paget), though betrothed to an Indian warrior, is in love with him. Little Dog (Jeffrey Hunter, left) and American Horse (Hugh O’Brian) make friends with Josh when the latter demon- strates he has no fear of them. . . and wants nothing from the Indians. Col. Lindsay (John Lund, right) and Lieut. Ferguson ( Noah Berry) of the U.S. Cavalry lead troops from Fort Laramie to confer with the Si6ux, Blackfeet, Arapaho, Minneconjou and Crow tribes. Chief Broken Hand shocks his Cheyennes when he announces he has de- cided to sign the pact. . . a statement that brings about a rebellion among his young warriors, led by his son. This action drama is scheduled for release in the domestic market early in 1955. Page 25A