THE LONELY TRAIL

PRODUCED BY NAT LEVINE
DIRECTED BY JOSEPH KANE
REPUBLIC PICTURES

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

INFORMATION FROM IMDb

Plot Summary

Though he fought for the North in the Civil War, John is asked by the Governor of Texas to get rid of some troublesome carpetbaggers. He enlists the help of Holden before learning that Holden too is plundering the local folk.

Summary written by Ed Stephan

Ex-Union officer John Ashley returns to his hometown in Texas and finds law and order being maintained by northerner Benedict Holden's armed troopers. Initially taken in by Holden's smooth talk, Ashley soon discovers Holden is a carpetbagger who, unbeknownst by the governor, is killing and stealing from the locals under cover of state authority. Hoping to thwart Holden's ongoing attacks against the citizens, Ashley enlists in Holden's troops.

Summary written by Doug Sederberg

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Bernard McConville also story
Jack Natteford

Full Cast

John Wayne .... Capt. John Ashley
Ann Rutherford .... Virginia Terry
Cy Kendall .... Adjutant General Benedict Holden
Bob Kortman .... Capt. Hays
Fred 'Snowflake' Toones .... Snowflake (as Snowflake)
Sam Flint .... Governor of Texas
Dennis Moore .... Dick Terry (as Denny Meadows)
Jim Toney .... Trooper Jed Calicutt (as Jim Tony)
Etta McDaniel .... Mammy (as Etta McDaniels)
Yakima Canutt .... Trooper Bull Horrell
Lloyd Ingraham .... Tucker (bookkeeper)
James A. Marcus .... Mayor (as James Marcus)
Bob Burns .... Rancher Jeff Pruitt
Rodney Hildebrand .... Cavalry captain
Eugene Jackson .... Harmonica player/dancer
Floyd Shackelford .... Armstrong, black carpetbagger
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Bob Card .... Rancher (uncredited)
Horace B. Carpenter .... Wagon loader (uncredited)
Oscar Gahan .... Townsman (uncredited)
Henry Hall .... Officer (uncredited)
Jack Ingram .... First sharpshooting trooper (uncredited)
Clyde Kenney .... Trooper (uncredited)
Charles King .... Sentry (uncredited)
Jack Kirk .... Trooper shot by Jed (uncredited)
Tracy Layne .... Trooper shooting at Hays and Holden (uncredited)
Leon Lord .... Blaine (uncredited)
Murdock MacQuarrie .... Rancher (uncredited)
Lafe McKee .... Prisoner shot in the back (uncredited)
Nina Mae McKinney .... Dancer (uncredited)
Tex Phelps .... Trooper (uncredited)
Bud Pope .... Trooper (uncredited)
Francis Walker .... Rancher (uncredited)
Clifton Young .... Son of murdered rancher (uncredited)

Memorable Quotes

[toasting]
Mrs. Kathleen York: To my only rival, the United States Cavalry.

[Lt. Col. York lectures new recruits]
Lt. Col. Kirby York: I don't want you men to be fooled about what's coming up for you. Torture,
at least that. The War Department promised me 180 men. They sent me eighteen
. You are the eighteen...so each of you will have to do the work of ten men. If you fail,
I'll have you spread-eagled on a wagon wheel. If you desert, you'll be found, tracked down and broken into bits. That is all.

Lt. Col. Kirby York: But put out of your mind any romantic ideas that it's a way of glory.
It's a life of suffering and hardship, an uncompromising devotion to your oath and your duty.

Lt. Col. Kirby York: But he must learn that a man's word to anything, even his own destruction, is his honor.

Gen. Philip Sheridan: I'm going to issue you an order and give it to you personally.
I want you to cross the Rio Grande, hit the Apache and burn him out. I'm tired of hit-and-run. I'm sick of diplomatic hide-and-seek.

[York plans the rescue of children held prisoner by Apaches]
Lt. Col. Kirby York: Is it dark enough for you to get in there?
Trooper Travis Tyree: With two men I pick, sir.
Lt. Col. Kirby York: Two men you pick? I know you're a excellent judge of horse flesh, Trooper Tyree.
You proved that when you stole my horse. But how are you as a judge of men for a dangerous mission?
Trooper Travis Tyree: I consider myself a good judge of men I trust, sir.

Lt. Col. Kirby York: Any liquor in this village?
Trooper Travis Tyree: Mucho tequila. They were slugging it down copious like when I left.
Lt. Col. Kirby York: Drums? Singing?
Trooper Travis Tyree: Yes, sir.
Lt. Col. Kirby York: Vengeance dance. They'll dance until dawn.

INFORMATION IMDb

Hi,
This was to be Duke's last production for REPUBLIC
during this phase. Joesph Kane a former editor at PARAMOUNT,
directed this one. He emphasized, action over story , and like most of Duke's early directors, he shot his picture in 6 days!!
Joseph Kane said,
Before you start in the morning, you have to plan what you're going to do...
so you don't waste anytime...
we had to come up with 54 minutes of picture.*
Duke was his able good self, with his love
interest, the talented Anne Rutherford.
She served as a pleasant foil to Duke's manliness, yet even her
charm, served as a secondary interest.
He appears 7 minutes in, as John Ashton,returning home after the Civil War.
Duke fends off the carpetbaggers.
Duke was well supported, by the able actors,
Yakima Canutt, Lafe McKee and Henry Hall.

This is quite a rare one, so if you've seen it or have it,
please let's hear your comments.

Here is another poster for The Lonely Trail.