Ten Gentlemen from West Point (1942)

Ten Gentlemen from West Point is a 1942 American Western film directed by Henry Hathaway and starring George Montgomery, Maureen O'Hara and John Sutton. Its cinematography was nominated for an Academy Award in 1943. George Montgomery replaced John Payne who was suffering an emotional upset at the time. The story tell a fictional story of the first class of the United States Military Academy in the early 1800s.

Plot

In the early 19th century, after a heated congressional debate, the United States Military Academy at West Point opens despite some doubting its worth - including the officer in charge, Major Sam Carter.

A number of men enlist in the first class, including rich Howard Shelton who arrived with his valet, Kentucky backwoodsman Joe Dawson and also a cadet who is trying to regain his family's honour because he happens to be a nephew of the American traitor Benedict Arnold. The men are initially antagonistic towards each other, especially when Joe falls for Howard's fiancé, Carolyn Brainbridge.

The men take part in the war against Tecumseh with William Henry Harrison.

Towards the end of the film, Major Sam Carter, mentions the names (which include images) of some of the real historical cadets who passed through the academy, including "cadets" Ulysses S. Grant, George Armstrong Custer and Douglas MacArthur.

Cast

George Montgomery as Joe Dawson

Maureen O'Hara as Carolyn Brainbridge

John Sutton as Howard Shelton

Laird Cregar as Maj. Sam Carter

Shepperd Strudwick as Henry Clay (as John Shepperd)

Victor Francen as Florimond Massey

Harry Davenport as Bane

Ward Bond as Sgt. Scully

Douglass Dumbrille as Gen. William Henry Harrison

Ralph Byrd as Maloney

Joe Brown Jr. as Benny Havens

David Bacon as Shippen

Esther Dale as Mrs. Thompson

Richard Derr as Chester

Louis Jean Heydt as Jared Danforth

Stanley Andrews as Captain Sloane

James Flavin as Captain Luddy

Edna Mae Jones as Letty

Charles Trowbridge as Senate president

Tully Marshall as Grandpa

Edwin Maxwell as Sen. John Randolph

Uno as Old Put (dog)

Edward Fielding as William Eustis

Morris Ankrum as Wood

Selmer Jackson as Sersen

Noble Johnson as Tecumseh

Eddie Dunn as O'Toole

Frank Ferguson as Alden Brown

Production

The film was originally called School for Soldiers. It was meant to star Tyrone Power, then was given to Henry Fonda and John Payne. Henry Hathaway signed to direct and Ben Hecht was bought on to rewrite the script. Eventually Fonda and Payne withdrew and were replaced by George Montgomery and Randolph Scott. Maureen O'Hara and Victor Mature were meant to play other roles. Eventually John Payne replaced Randolph Scott - but then John Sutton replaced Payne.

The costumes were designed by Dolly Tree.

Reception

The film recorded a loss of $89,000.

References

External links

Ten Gentlemen from West Point at IMDb

Ten Gentleman from West at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films

Ten Gentleman from West at the TCM Movie Database (archived)