Drum Beat
Drum Beat is a 1954 American CinemaScope Western film in WarnerColor written and directed by Delmer Daves and co-produced by Daves and Alan Ladd in his first film for his Jaguar Productions company. Ladd stars along with Audrey Dalton, Charles Bronson as Captain Jack, and Hayden Rorke as President Ulysses S. Grant.
| Drum Beat | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Delmer Daves |
| Written by | Delmer Daves |
| Produced by | Delmer Daves Alan Ladd (uncredited) |
| Starring | Alan Ladd Audrey Dalton Marisa Pavan |
| Cinematography | J. Peverell Marley |
| Edited by | Clarence Kolster |
| Music by | Victor Young |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
Release date |
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Running time | 111 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $1.1 million |
| Box office | $3 million (US) |
The story uses elements of the 1873 Modoc War in its narrative, with Ladd playing a white man asked by the U.S. Army to attempt negotiations with Native Modocs who are about to wage war.
An early role for Charles Bronson (originally Buchinsky), who plays Captain Jack as a memorable villain wearing the coat of a deceased US Cavalry Captain. Prior to murdering General Edward Canby (Warner Anderson) during a peace negotiation, Bronson's character puts on a General's coat and announces to the audience "Me GENERAL Jack now!"