| When the Daltons Rode | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | George Marshall |
| Screenplay by | Harold Shumate |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Hal Mohr |
| Edited by | Edward Curtiss |
| Music by | Frank Skinner |
Production company | Universal Pictures |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 81 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
When the Daltons Rode is a 1940 American Western film directed by George Marshall starring Randolph Scott, Kay Francis and Brian Donlevy.[1] Based on the book When the Daltons Rode by Emmett Dalton, the sole surviving real-life gang member, and Jack Jungmeyer, the film is about a family friend of the Daltons who tries to dissuade them from becoming outlaws.
Plot
Law-abiding farmers, the Dalton brothers move to Kansas to begin a new life. Bob Dalton meets lawyer Tod Jackson and persuades him to defend his kin Ben Dalton in a court case against a corrupt land development company.
A melee erupts during the trial, resulting in the Daltons needing to shoot their way out of the courtroom. A negative light is cast on the Daltons by cronies of the land developers and the press. Ben is shot in the back. Unable to get by lawfully, the Daltons rob a stage coach and their reputation as dangerous outlaws spreads.
Tod, meantime, has fallen in love with Bob Dalton's fiancee, Julie. He strongly urges the Daltons to change their ways, but they defy brother Bob and decide to pull one more bank job in Kansas, a decision that proves fatal.
Cast
- Randolph Scott as Tod Jackson
- Kay Francis as Julie King
- Brian Donlevy as Grat Dalton
- George Bancroft as Caleb Winters
- Broderick Crawford as Bob Dalton
- Stuart Erwin as Ben Dalton
- Andy Devine as Ozark Jones
- Frank Albertson as Emmett Dalton
- Mary Gordon as Ma Dalton
- Harvey Stephens as Rigby
- Edgar Dearing as Sheriff
- Quen Ramsey as Clem Wilson
- Dorothy Granger as Nancy
- Robert McKenzie as Photographer
- Fay McKenzie as Hannah
- Walter Soderling as Judge Lucius Thorndown (Judge Swain in the credits)
- Mary Ainslee as Minnie
- Erville Alderson as Dist. Atty. Wade
- Sally Payne as Annabella
- Edgar Buchanan as Old Timer (uncredited)
- June Wilkins as Suzy[2]
Production
The film was based on Emmett Dalton's autobiography. Universal announced the project in March 1940 with filming to begin in May. Stuart Anthony and Lester Cole worked on the script.[3]
References
- ^ "When the Daltons Rode". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved August 24, 2012.
((cite web)): Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Full cast and crew for When the Daltons Rode". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved August 24, 2012.
((cite web)): Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ SCREEN NEWS HERE AND IN HOLLYWOOD: Universal to Produce 'When the Daltons Rode'--'Girls' Best Friend' Is Purchased 'TOO MANY HUSBANDS' HERE 'Northwest Passage,' Screen Version of Kenneth Roberts Book, at Capitol Today Of Local Origin New York Times 7 Mar 1940: 27.