The Swordsman
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJoseph H. Lewis
Written byWilfred H. Petitt
Produced byBurt Kelly
StarringLarry Parks
Ellen Drew
George Macready
CinematographyWilliam E. Snyder
Edited byAl Clark
Music byHugo Friedhofer
Production
company
Distributed byColumbia Pictures
Release date
  • January 2, 1948 (1948-01-02)
Running time
80 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$1.7 million (US rentals)[1]

The Swordsman is a 1948 American swashbuckler film directed by Joseph H. Lewis and starring Larry Parks, Ellen Drew and George Macready.[2] It was produced and distributed by Columbia Pictures.

Plot

In 18th century Scotland the clans McArden and Glowan are at long standing feud. Alexander, an attractive McArden, falls in love with the beautiful Barbara Glowan.

Unfortunately their relationship angers Barbara's cousin, Robert Glowan, who attempts to destroy the McArden clan completely. Alexander, anxious to marry Barbara, works to end the feud and have the two clans live at peace.

Cast

Production

The film was based on an original script by Wilfrid Pitit. It was originally called Annie Laurie, then in November 1946, the title was changed to The Forge Man by which time Larry Parks was set to star and Joseph H Lewis was to direct.[3] The same month, Hedda Hopper said the movie's title was Glencoe and that it was filming in secrecy.[4]

Filming finished by March 1947.[5]

Reception

The New York Times called it "a plain old fashioned horse opera" noting many of the situations and dialogue could have come straight from a Western.[6]

References

  1. ^ "Top Grossers of 1948", Variety 5 January 1949 p 46
  2. ^ The Swordsman at the American Film Institute Catalog
  3. ^ BLONDELL TO PLAY ROLE FOR BOGEAUS: TO ACT INGENUE ROLE Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES. New York Times 19 Nov 1946: 50.
  4. ^ Who Said All Work and No Play! Hopper, Hedda. The Washington Post 05 Nov 1946: 6.
  5. ^ By THOMAS F BRADY Special to The New York Times. (1947, Nov 18). LARRY PARKS TO DO FILM FOR COLUMBIA.
  6. ^ ' The Swordsman,' a Western, of the Scottish Type, With Larry Parks, Ellen Drew, Seen at Capitol By BOSLEY CROWTHER. New York Times 17 Oct 1947: 18.

External links


Films directed by Joseph H. Lewis
Categories