Massacre (1934 film)

Massacre
Directed by	Alan Crosland
Screenplay by	Robert Gessner Ralph Block
Story by	Ralph Block Sheridan Gibney
Produced by	Robert Presnell, Sr.
Starring	Richard Barthelmess Ann Dvorak
Cinematography	George Barnes
Edited by	Terry O. Morse
Music by	Bernhard Kaun
Production company	First National Pictures
Distributed by	Warner Bros.
Release date	January 20, 1934 (1934-01-20)
Running time	70 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Massacre is a 1934 American drama film directed by Alan Crosland. The film stars Richard Barthelmess and Ann Dvorak as its Native American protagonists, and also features Charles Middleton, Sidney Toler, Claire Dodd and Clarence Muse.

Plot

Richard Barthelmess in a publicity still for the film.

Chief Joe Thunderhorse (Barthelmess) is the star of a wild west show at the Century of Progress in Chicago. Though he is the authentic son of a Native American chief, he has lived away from the reservation so long that he has lost all personal connection to them. His ethnic authenticity and physical prowess are exploited by white showmen. His rich white girlfriend (Dodd) flaunts him in front of her curious friends.

Joe and his valet (Muse) travel to the reservation where he grew up upon hearing that his father Black Pony is on his death bed. His dying father no longer recognizes him. The terrible living conditions to which Joe's people are subjected to at the hands of white government agents are also revealed to him. Upon the death of his father, Joe's sister Jennie is raped by a government agent and, with the assistance of a college-educated reservation resident named Lydia (Dvorak), Joe decides to take action.^[1][2]

Cast

• Richard Barthelmess as Chief Joe Thunder Horse
• Ann Dvorak as Lydia
• Dudley Digges as Elihu P. Quissenberry
• Claire Dodd as Norma
• Henry O'Neill as J.R. Dickinson
• Robert Barrat as Dawson
• Arthur Hohl as Dr. Turner
• Sidney Toler as Thomas Shanks
• Clarence Muse as Sam
• Charles Middleton as Sheriff Scatters
• Tully Marshall as Jake
• Wallis Clark as Cochran
• William V. Mong as Grandy
• DeWitt Jennings as Sheriff Jennings
• Juliet Ware as Mrs. Trevor
• James Eagles as Adam Thunderhorse
• Frank McGlynn Sr. as Missionary
• Agnes Narcha as Jennie Thunderhorse
• Irving Bacon as Secretary
• William Bailey as Investigation Attendant
• Hank Bell as Cowboy Selling Rope
• Chief John Big Tree as Indian Judge
• George Blackwood as Charles Moffitt
• Sidney Bracey as Norma's Butler
• Eddy Chandler as Deputy
• Corleen Clemons as Indian
• Iron Eyes Cody as Indian
• William B. Davidson as Sen. Beale
• Mildred Dixon as Party Guest
• Douglass Dumbrille as Sen. Emory - Chairman
• Philip Faversham as Intern
• Barbara Felker as Indian Girl
• Julia Griffith as Hearing Spectator
• Samuel S. Hinds as Judge Eldridge
• Noble Johnson as Indian Leader
• Edward Keane as Prosecutor
• Milton Kibbee as Dickinson's Secretary
• Henry Kolker as Sen. Woolsey
• Artie Ortego as Indian on Raid
• George Reed as Chief Black Star
• Cliff Saum as Cameraman
• Harry Seymour as Indian Show Barker
• Luther Standing Bear as Indian
• Chief Thunderbird as Indian
• Victoria Vinton as Souvenir Hunter
• Niles Welch as Arena Announcer

See also

• Pre-Code Hollywood

References

1. "Massacre (1934)". Turner Classic Movies. Turner Entertainment.
2. "Massacre (1934) review". pre-code.com. 25 November 2013.

External links

• Massacre at the TCM Movie Database
• Massacre at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
• Massacre at IMDb