John Brown is a 19th-century abolitionist. After cutting a bloody swath through Kansas, Brown and his followers take refuge in a warehouse at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, where he meets his own personal Waterloo at the hands of federal troops.
The planned film was known as John Brown's Raiders. In July 1954 Walter Mirisch announced the film would be one of 15 Allied Artists would make over the next 6 months.[2] The same month the studio announced that Massey would play Brown.[3]
Hunter and Paget were borrowed from 20th Century Fox. Filming started in September 1954.[4]
Reception
The New York Times critic called it a "competent if hardly inspired Allied Artists presentation".[5]
^SEVEN ANGRY MEN Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 22, Iss. 252, (Jan 1, 1955): 182.
^Allied Artists Plans Program of 15 Movies
Los Angeles Times 2 July 1954: B6.
^DIZZY DEAN TO TRY HAND AS AN ACTOR: Enters Into Pact to Co-star in Movies and TV Series -- Release of 'Jet Pilot' Is Set
By THOMAS M. PRYOR New York Times 08 July 1954: 18.
^OKLAHOMA!' FILM GETS NEW DANCES: Agnes De Mille Changing the Choreographic Concept for Big-Screen Version
By THOMAS M. PRYORSpecial to The New York Times. 18 Sep 1954: 12.
