The Pathfinder (1952 film)
| The Pathfinder | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Sidney Salkow |
| Produced by | Sam Katzman |
| Screenplay by | Robert E. Kent |
| Based on | The Pathfinder by James Fenimore Cooper |
| Starring |
George Montgomery Helena Carter Jay Silverheels |
| Narrated by | Michael Fox |
| Music by | Various |
| Cinematography | Henry Freulich |
Production company | |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 79 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Pathfinder is a 1952 Technicolor film inspired by The Pathfinder by James Fenimore Cooper. Produced by Sam Katzman for Columbia Pictures the film stars George Montgomery.[1]
Plot
At the beginning of the French and Indian War in 1754, the Mingo Indians allied to the French massarcre the Mohican tribe allied to British. Pathfinder and Chingachgook discover the only survivor, a child named Uncas. Angered that the British did not protect their allies the Mohicans, Pathfinder gains entry to the British fort and threatens the Scottish commander Colonel Duncannon until it is discovered that the British were unaware due to a Mohican messenger being killed before he could bring the news.
Colonel Duncannon enlists Pathfinder and Chingachgook to spy for the British by posing as French sympathisers. When Pathfinder says they would not be able to discover the plans of the French as they do not speak their language the Colonel assigns Alison, a fluent French speaker to them. Pathfinder is dismayed that Alison is a woman but she earns her place by killing a Mingo with a pistol and infiltrating French society when they arrive at the French fort. Alison discovers that the French have built a road along a mountain pass bringing supplies to the main French port that has a harbour for ships. Blowing up the mountain road with black powder would deny supplies to the French fort meaning all their smaller outposts would fall to the English due to a scarcity of provisions.
Alison came to the North American colonies to marry an English Captain who disgraced himself through alcoholism. She unexpectedly meets him again as he has turned renegade, married a Mingo princess and has a commission in the French army.
Cast
George Montgomery ... Pathfinder
Helena Carter ... Alison
Jay Silverheels ... Chingachgook
Walter Kingsford ... Col. Duncannon
Rodd Redwing ... Chief Arrowhead
Stephen Bekassy ... Col. Brasseau
Elena Verdugo ... Lokawa
Bruce Lester ... Capt. Clint Bradford
Chief Yowlachie ... Eagle Feather
John Hart ... French Sergeant
Lyle Talbot ... French Ship Captain
Edward Coch ... Uncas
References
- ↑ Montgomery Will Star in 'Pathfinder;' Tucker Plays Mutineer Pirate Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 18 Jan 1952: 19.