The Fighting Guardsman
| The Fighting Guardsman | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Henry Levin |
| Screenplay by | Edward Dein Franz Schulz |
| Based on | The Companions of Jehu by Alexander Dumas |
| Produced by | Michael Kraike |
| Starring | Willard Parker Anita Louise Janis Carter John Loder |
| Cinematography | Burnett Guffey |
| Edited by | Viola Lawrence |
| Music by | Paul Sawtell |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 84 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Fighting Guardsman is a 1945 American historical adventure film directed by Henry Levin and starring Willard Parker, Anita Louise, Janis Carter and John Loder. Distributed by Columbia Pictures, it is a swashbuckler based on the 1857 novel The Companions of Jehu by Alexander Dumas.
Plot
A French baron leads rebels like a Robin Hood, stealing Louis XVI's taxes to give to the poor. He is love with an aristocrat woman, Amelie, whose brother Gaston is determined to catch the thief.
Cast
- Willard Parker as Roland, also known as the Baron de Saint-Hermaine
- Anita Louise as Amelie de Montrevel
- Janis Carter as Christine Roualt
- John Loder as Sir John Tanlay
- Edgar Buchanan as Pepe
- George Macready as Gaston de Montrevel
- Lloyd Corrigan as King Louis XVI
- Shelley Winters as Nanette
- Edith Evanson as Madame Paquin
- Mauritz Hugo as Andre
- Ray Teal as Albert
- Maurice Tauzin as Edouard de Montrevel
- Victor Kilian as Montebar
- Elisabeth Risdon as Madame de Montrevel
- Ted Hecht as Emile
- Ian Wolfeas Prefect Berton
- John Cason as Baptiste
- Ethan Laidlaw as Jacques
- Gino Corrado as Roualt
Production
It was Parker's first lead role; he made it on his return from the army.[1] Leslie Brooks was to play a key role but fell ill and was replaced by Janis Carter.[2] Filming started in December 1944.[3]
Reception
Variety said "Film, despite its period setting, is an overdressed cops-and-robbers opera with plenty of flintlock and saber play to provide the major source of interest... Henry Levin's direction strives too hard for swashbuckling effects and while the film-goes at a fast clip, it falls foo casily into hokey lines. Attempts to set off Parker as a superman capable of takine on a dozen adversaries imultaneously often brings titters. Acting is routine."[4]
References
- ^ "'Hunk of Man' Parker Cast as Swashbuckler: Metro Captures Warners' Find, Plans Build-up; Robert Duke Lead in 'Faces'". Los Angeles Times. December 11, 1944. p. 11.
- ^ "Illness causes switch in Gauardman leads". The Los Angeles Times. December 16, 1944. p. 5.
- ^ "Willard Parker to Play Lead Role in Columbia's 'The Fighting Guardsman' -- Six Films Due This Week". New York Times. December 11, 1944. p. 19.
- ^ "The Fighting Guardsman". Variety. October 10, 1945. p. 8.
External links
- The Fighting Guardsman at IMDb
- Complete pressbook at Internet Archive
- The Fighting Guardsman at Letterbox DVD
- The Fighting Guardsman at TCMDB